The cheapest and fastest buses from Colchester to Chelmsford
Cheapest price
$0.00
Average price
$-0.01
Fastest journey
1 h 19 m
Average duration
1 h 27 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
34 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Colchester to Chelmsford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
Of the 10 buses that leave Colchester for Chelmsford on Tue, Jun 16, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 1 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 19 m .
On Tue, Jun 16 the slowest buses will take 1 h 30 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.
5:45 AM1h19Colchester7:04 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
6:15 AM1h25Colchester7:40 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
6:45 AM1h35Colchester8:20 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
7:22 AM1h38Colchester9:00 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
8:00 AM1h33Colchester9:33 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
5:45 AM1h19Colchester7:04 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
6:15 AM1h25Colchester7:40 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
9:35 AM1h29Colchester11:04 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
8:40 AM1h30Colchester10:10 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
9:05 AM1h30Colchester10:35 AMChelmsfordFind prices0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Colchester to Chelmsford
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Chelmsford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 24m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $14, and a bus costs an average of $21.
Distance: 21 miles (34 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$21 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest | $9 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Chelmsford:
A train is $1 (€0.89) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Colchester to Chelmsford costing on average $21 (€17).
Other travel options to Chelmsford take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 18m.
You'll arrive about -1h -42m sooner (1h 18m by bus vs 36m by car) and save roughly $-11.99 (€-9.70) compared to fuel and tolls ($21 (€17) vs $9 (€7)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by First Essex, Stephensons of Essex.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Colchester to Chelmsford Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 07:04AM | Duration 1h19 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 06:15AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 07:22AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 1h38 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 09:33AM | Duration 1h33 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 09:05AM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 11:04AM | Duration 1h29 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 10:05AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 10:35AM | Arrival Time 12:06PM | Duration 1h31 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 11:05AM | Arrival Time 12:35PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 11:35AM | Arrival Time 01:06PM | Duration 1h31 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 02:06PM | Duration 1h31 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 01:35PM | Arrival Time 03:06PM | Duration 1h31 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 02:05PM | Arrival Time 03:37PM | Duration 1h32 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 02:32PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 1h33 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 03:02PM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 1h33 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 05:09PM | Duration 1h34 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Stephensons of Essex | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 04:37PM | Duration 0h47 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 04:35PM | Arrival Time 06:09PM | Duration 1h34 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 07:12PM | Duration 1h22 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 07:53PM | Duration 1h18 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 08:36PM | Duration 1h11 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator First Essex | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 10:22PM | Duration 1h07 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Live departures
Colchester to Chelmsford bus times
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Chelmsford buses for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:15 PM Colchester | 1h07 | 10:22 PM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | |||||
![]() | 5:45 AM Colchester | 1h19 | 7:04 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:15 AM Colchester | 1h25 | 7:40 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:45 AM Colchester | 1h35 | 8:20 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:22 AM Colchester | 1h38 | 9:00 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 AM Colchester | 1h33 | 9:33 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:40 AM Colchester | 1h30 | 10:10 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:05 AM Colchester | 1h30 | 10:35 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:35 AM Colchester | 1h29 | 11:04 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:05 AM Colchester | 1h30 | 11:35 AM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:35 AM Colchester | 1h31 | 12:06 PM Chelmsford | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Chelmsford 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.
Jun 16
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Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Colchester to Chelmsford
Buses from Colchester to Chelmsford run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $21 (€17) but you can travel from only $14 (€11) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:14, the last at 23:44. The fastest bus covers the 21 miles (34 km) distance in 50m.
Distance 21 miles (34 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 (€17) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 50m |
First bus 12:14 AM |
Last bus 11:44 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Bus providers: First Essex, Stephensons of Essex from Colchester to ChelmsfordYou can travel by bus between Colchester to Chelmsford with First Essex, Stephensons of Essex for as low as $14 (€11). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
First Essex
Stephensons of Essex
Bus from Colchester to Chelmsford
Buses from Colchester to Chelmsford depart every day, including at weekends. There are multiple departures throughout the day, covering the 20 miles between the two destinations in Essex. The journey can take anywhere from 35 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the service selected.
How long is the journey by bus from Colchester to Chelmsford?
Taking buses from Colchester to Chelmsford can be as quick as 35 minutes or a little longer at 45 minutes. There are no changes required along the route, but passengers can decide which stops to get on and off at for their convenience.
How many buses are there from Colchester to Chelmsford?
There are up to 11 buses a day traveling between Colchester and Chelmsford, with the first buses leaving early in the morning and the last mid-afternoon. The 6:00 a.m. departure can get passengers into Chelmsford in time for the start of the working day, while the 3.55 p.m. bus arrives late in the afternoon.
What are the departure and arrival bus stations for buses from Colchester to Chelmsford?
Departure bus station: Passengers boarding buses from Colchester to Chelmsford can do so from a number of stops. These are the bus station, the railway station and Zingst, West. Colchester Bus Station is a 20-minute walk from the center of town and on the numbers one A, 64 and 64A bus routes. There are refreshment facilities and bathrooms at the bus station.
Arrival bus station: Chelmsford Bus and Bus Terminal. This is a four-minute walk from the city center and is close to other transport infrastructure, such as the train station. A retail complex is attached to the bus station, offering ample facilities, including bathrooms.
Which bus providers travel from Colchester to Chelmsford?
Buses from Colchester to Chelmsford are operated by National Express, with multiple departures to choose from. While there is a disparity in length between some of the services, it's only about a 10 minute difference.
National Express Colchester to Chelmsford
National Express operates 11 buses a day from Colchester to Chelmsford, offering a number of departure times, from 6:00 a.m. until 3.55 p.m. There is no need for passengers to change buses between the two destinations in the southeast, but there are a number of stops on the route. This can be particularly convenient for anyone not wanting to get on the bus in central Colchester.
Colchester to Chelmsford Bus: Services on board
Everybody who buys a ticket for National Express buses from Colchester to Chelmsford is guaranteed a comfortable seat with a generous amount of legroom and individual air conditioning controls. The VUER entertainment system is provided as standard, with hours of TV and films to screen throughout the journey. There is also free WiFi and accessible USB ports near each seat. Passengers have a luggage allowance of one case measuring 75 cm x 50 cm x 32 cm or two cases no bigger than 70 cm x 45 cm x 70 cm. In total, this baggage must not weigh more than 20 kg. An additional piece of soft hand luggage measuring 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm or smaller is also allowed on board. Extra pieces can be transported inside the hold for a supplementary fee. Pets are not permitted on board, with the exception of assistance dogs. Bikes are welcomed if they have been folded up, dismantled into manageable pieces or wrapped in an appropriate manner; they will then be considered as one piece of luggage. The majority of National Express's buses from Colchester to Chelmsford can be accessed by disabled passengers due to lifts fitted at the front. It's best for passengers with mobility issues to contact National Express 36 hours before travel to secure their services.
FAQs: Bus from Colchester to Chelmsford
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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