Colchester to Bournemouth bus with National Express

Thu, Nov 06
+ Add return
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Colchester to Bournemouth

Showing times and prices for Nov 06

Cheapest price

$44

Average price

$44

Fastest journey

8 h 15 m

Average duration

8 h 15 m

Buses per day

1

Distance

233 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Colchester to Bournemouth is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Colchester to Bournemouth will cost around $44 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $44.

Fast buses

Of the 1 buses that leave Colchester for Bournemouth on Thu, Nov 06, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Nov 06 the direct buses cover the 233 km distance in an average of 8 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 15 m .

On Thu, Nov 06 the slowest buses will take 8 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

National Express
03:30PM8h15
Colchester
11:45PMBournemouth
$441One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Colchester to Bournemouth

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Bournemouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €36. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 14m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €36, and a bus costs an average of €34.

Distance: 144 miles (233 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train

€55

Average price

€43

Average price

Cheapest

6h 10m

Average total duration

5h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 44m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Colchester to Bournemouth bus times

The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Bournemouth buses for today, Wednesday, November 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 12:25 PM

ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_express3:30 PM Colchester
8h15
11:45 PM Bournemouth0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Bournemouth by train or bus

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Thu
Nov 06
Fri
Nov 07
Sat
Nov 08
Sun
Nov 09
Mon
Nov 10
Tue
Nov 11
Wed
Nov 12

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Colchester to Bournemouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus
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
Distance
144 miles (233 km)
Average bus duration
5h 40m
Cheapest ticket price
$42 (€34)
Buses per day
10
Fastest bus
6h 45m
First bus
01:32
Last bus
21:27

Key Takeaways

Train Ticket Prices
  • Budget Options: Train tickets from Colchester to Bournemouth start from as low as $42 (€34) if booked well in advance.
  • Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $67 (€55) depending on the train type and class.
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

Bus providers: National Express from Colchester to BournemouthYou can travel by bus between Colchester to Bournemouth with National Express for as low as $42 (€34). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
6h 45m
Cheapest Price
$42 (€34)
National Express frequency
12 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

FAQs: Bus from Colchester to Bournemouth

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Bournemouth by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bournemouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Colchester to Bournemouth can start from as little as $47 (€38) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Colchester to Bournemouth is $60 (€49); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Colchester to Bournemouth is 6 h 20 min   to travel the 144 mile (233 km) long trip, with around there are 11 buses per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.
The first bus from Colchester to Bournemouth leaves at 2: 17AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last bus from Colchester to Bournemouth leaves at 8: 06PM.
There are 11 buses a day from Colchester to Bournemouth which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
Take the Colchester to Bournemouth bus with National Express. However, it's always good to check out all possible bus providers for the journey between Colchester and Bournemouth as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.
The cheapest month to travel from Colchester to Bournemouth by bus is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel to Bournemouth from Colchester including taking a train or bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth for bus company National Express.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Bournemouth are:
  • Bournemouth Beach, a popular sandy beach stretching for miles with a pier and various water activities
  • Bournemouth Pier, a Victorian-era pier offering entertainment, dining, and panoramic views of the coastline
  • Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, a historic house museum featuring a diverse collection of art and artifacts
  • Bournemouth Gardens, a series of beautiful gardens perfect for leisurely walks and picnics
  • St. Peter's Church, a historic church known for its stunning architecture and the resting place of Mary Shelley.
The best things to do in Bournemouth include:
  • Oceanarium, an aquarium featuring marine life from various global habitats
  • Lower Gardens, a well-maintained public park with floral displays and seasonal events
  • Boscombe Chine Gardens, a picturesque garden with a mini-golf course and water play area
  • Hengistbury Head, a nature reserve ideal for hiking and birdwatching
  • Bournemouth Aviation Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to the history of aviation.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Colchester to Bournemouth depends on the bus company:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Colchester to Bournemouth, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
  • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth.
    Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Colchester to Bournemouth:
    • National Express
      • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
    Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Colchester to Bournemouth:
    • National Express
      • 10€ per additional bag.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth.
    You can reserve your seat on the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth with the following bus company: National Express
    Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth with the following bus company: National Express.
    Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Colchester to Bournemouth with the following bus company: National Express.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Colchester to Bournemouth

    Colchester
    Bournemouth
    The major bus station for departures in Colchester is Colchester, East Hill / High Street. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Colchester, East Hill / High Street for your trip from Colchester to Bournemouth.
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    information

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