- Recommended
Chelmsford Museum
Chelmsford’s main museum covers local history, archaeology, industry, and natural heritage in a restored house and galleries.
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$21
Fastest journey
50 m
Average duration
50 m
Buses per day
1
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.
The average ticket from Colchester to Chelmsford will cost around $21 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $21.
Of the 1 buses that leave Colchester for Chelmsford on Sun, Aug 02, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Aug 02 the direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 50 m .
On Sun, Aug 02 the slowest buses will take 50 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.


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 |
| 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 |
Discover the best of Chelmsford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chelmsford trip today.
Chelmsford’s main museum covers local history, archaeology, industry, and natural heritage in a restored house and galleries.
Compact museum preserving the story of radio, radar, and electronics pioneers linked to Marconi’s world-changing work in Chelmsford.
Volunteer-run military museum displaying Essex Regiment collections, medals, uniforms, and stories from local service history.
Major historic parkland and gardens with walking trails, seasonal events, and one of Chelmsford’s most popular open spaces.
Central city park with lawns, events, riverside paths, and easy access from shopping streets and the station.
Traditional village green near the city, known for duck pond views, old cottages, and a classic Essex setting.
Tiptree jam is a celebrated Essex preserve made from local fruit. It is a classic breakfast staple and a long-standing symbol of the county’s food heritage.
Essex seed cake is a traditional county bake flavoured with caraway seeds. It is especially linked with local tea tables and older Essex home baking.
Maldon oysters from the Essex coast are prized for their clean, briny flavour. They reflect the county’s historic oyster fisheries and seafood culture.
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant setting. It is one of Chelmsford’s best-known fine dining destinations for seasonal cooking.
Established city-centre venue for Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, especially grilled meats and mezze. Warm, busy atmosphere and dependable service.
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar known for steaks, grills, and cocktails. Lively but polished atmosphere in central Chelmsford.
Moderate for UK travel. Hotels and dining cost less than London, while local transit and casual meals are fairly manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Chelmsford Station (Stand VA) -> High Chelmer, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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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