- Must visit
Colchester Castle Museum
Main city museum inside the castle, covering Roman Colchester, local archaeology and later history in a dramatic historic setting.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 13 Oct
Cheapest price on 13 Oct
£0.00
Average ticket price on 13 Oct
£-0.01
Fastest journey on 13 Oct
2 h 10 m
Average journey duration on 13 Oct
2 h 17 m
Buses on 13 Oct
25
Distance
41 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
Fast coaches
To travel from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester you need to make at least one change.
5:032h10Southend-on-Sea7:13ColchesterFind prices1 change- 5:582h29Southend-on-Sea8:27ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 6:262h33Southend-on-Sea8:59ColchesterFind prices1 change
7:222h54Southend-on-Sea10:16ColchesterFind prices2 changes- 7:332h38Southend-on-Sea10:11ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 5:032h10Southend-on-Sea7:13ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 18:332h12Southend-on-Sea20:45ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 19:462h14Southend-on-Sea22:00ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 17:422h20Southend-on-Sea20:02ColchesterFind prices1 change
- 5:582h29Southend-on-Sea8:27ColchesterFind prices1 change
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Take a bus from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester and enjoy the approximately 41 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest coach runs at 04:01, the last at 22:12.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £26
Distance 41 km |
First bus 4:01 |
Last bus 22:12 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 35 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £26
Live departures
Southend-on-Sea to Colchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Southend-on-Sea to Colchester coaches for today, Monday 12 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:28 Southend-on-Sea | 2h30 | 16:58 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 14:53 Southend-on-Sea | 2h43 | 17:36 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 15:42 Southend-on-Sea | 2h40 | 18:22 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 16:42 Southend-on-Sea | 2h31 | 19:13 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 17:12 Southend-on-Sea | 2h29 | 19:41 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 17:42 Southend-on-Sea | 2h20 | 20:02 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 18:33 Southend-on-Sea | 2h12 | 20:45 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 19:46 Southend-on-Sea | 2h14 | 22:00 Colchester | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 13 October | |||||
| 5:03 Southend-on-Sea | 2h10 | 7:13 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 5:58 Southend-on-Sea | 2h29 | 8:27 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 6:26 Southend-on-Sea | 2h33 | 8:59 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 7:22 Southend-on-Sea | 2h54 | 10:16 Colchester | 2 changes | |
| 7:33 Southend-on-Sea | 2h38 | 10:11 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 8:03 Southend-on-Sea | 2h49 | 10:52 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 8:38 Southend-on-Sea | 2h45 | 11:23 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 9:03 Southend-on-Sea | 2h49 | 11:52 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 9:29 Southend-on-Sea | 2h54 | 12:23 Colchester | 2 changes | |
| 10:07 Southend-on-Sea | 2h45 | 12:52 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 10:38 Southend-on-Sea | 2h46 | 13:24 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 11:07 Southend-on-Sea | 2h45 | 13:52 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 11:38 Southend-on-Sea | 2h46 | 14:24 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 12:07 Southend-on-Sea | 2h45 | 14:52 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 12:38 Southend-on-Sea | 2h44 | 15:22 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 13:07 Southend-on-Sea | 2h41 | 15:48 Colchester | 1 change | |
| 13:38 Southend-on-Sea | 2h42 | 16:20 Colchester | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Complete guide to Colchester
Things to do in Colchester
Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.
- Recommended
The Natural History Museum
Natural history museum in a former church, with displays on Essex wildlife, geology and environment, suited to families and curious visitors.
- Recommended
Hollytrees Museum
Museum charting the city’s social history, from everyday objects to changing local life, housed in a restored historic building.
- Must visit
Castle Park
Central park beside the castle with lawns, mature trees and Roman remains. Ideal for a stroll, picnic or pause between sights.
- Recommended
High Street
Historic main street lined with shops and civic buildings, useful for exploring the town centre and taking in everyday city life.
- Recommended
Dutch Quarter
Characterful district of timber-framed houses and narrow streets, known for its historic atmosphere and photogenic townscape.
- Gluten-free
Colchester Oysters
Native Colchester oysters, served raw or dressed. They have been harvested locally since Roman times and are the town’s best-known traditional food.
- Gluten-free
Smoked Eel
Smoked eel from the Essex coast and estuaries, traditionally cured and smoked for a rich flavour tied to local fishing heritage.
- Gluten-free
Essex Clanger
A traditional Essex bake made with potatoes, onions and pork or beef, slowly cooked until soft. It is a longstanding county comfort food.
Le Talbooth
Fine dining restaurant in Dedham Vale near Colchester, known for polished British cooking and a refined countryside setting.
Church Street Tavern
Established restaurant serving modern British dishes and seafood in a smart yet relaxed setting near the town centre.
Timbers
Popular casual venue for brunch, coffee and seasonal plates, with a friendly atmosphere and strong local reputation.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for England: hotels and dining cost less than London, but more than smaller UK towns. Buses are reasonable; central sightseeing is mostly low cost.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale restaurants.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
First Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2
- Day pass
- £4.50
To the city centre
Colchester, East Hill / High Street -> Colchester Town Railway Station
- Distance
- 0.7 km
- Travel time
- 10 min
- Contactless Tap & Cap works on Colchester Shuttles and other First Bus services in Colchester. Official First Bus information states you will not pay more than £4.50 in a day.
- Use the First Bus app for live tracking, journey planning and mobile tickets. It also supports card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for ticket purchases.
Best day trips from Colchester by bus
The most popular day trips by bus from Colchester are London, Ipswich, Chelmsford and Clacton-on-Sea. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Colchester on Omio.
Day trip from Colchester to London by bus
Why visit London for the day?
London blends royal history with modern city life, known for its museums, theatre and global food scene. Along the Thames, grand landmarks sit beside diverse neighbourhoods shaped by finance, fashion and contemporary culture.
How to get from Colchester to London by bus?
The earliest coach runs at 00:02, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 83 km distance in 2h 0m.
Day trip from Colchester to Ipswich by bus
Why visit Ipswich for the day?
Ipswich is one of England’s oldest towns, known for its waterfront and maritime past. Its medieval streets, parks and Suffolk atmosphere make it feel historic yet lived-in.
How to get from Colchester to Ipswich by bus?
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:11, the last at 23:51. The fastest coach covers the 26 km distance in 35m.
Day trip from Colchester to Chelmsford by bus
Why visit Chelmsford for the day?
Chelmsford is Essex’s county city, known for its cathedral and its links to Guglielmo Marconi. A compact centre, riverside parks and a relaxed modern feel give it an easy balance of history and everyday city life.
How to get from Colchester to Chelmsford by bus?
The earliest coach runs at 00:14, the last at 23:44.
Day trip from Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea by bus
Why visit Clacton-on-Sea for the day?
Clacton-on-Sea is a traditional Essex resort known for its sandy beach, pier and classic seaside amusements. Its promenade and relaxed coastal atmosphere give it the feel of a long-established British holiday town.
How to get from Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea by bus?
The earliest coach runs at 00:28, the last at 23:18.
FAQs: Southend-on-Sea to Colchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Colchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The earliest coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester leaves at 4:01. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester leaves at 22:12.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southend-on-Sea and Colchester including taking a train and coach.
No, the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
No, luggage for the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester.
More options for your journey from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Colchester and Southend-on-Sea
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