The cheapest and fastest buses from Colchester to Chelmsford
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$21
Fastest journey
1 h 25 m
Average duration
1 h 25 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 Sat, May 02, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 02 the direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 1 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 25 m .
On Sat, May 02 the slowest buses will take 1 h 25 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.
10:42 AM1h25Colchester12:07 PMChelmsford$211One-way0 transfers
10:42 AM1h25Colchester12:07 PMChelmsford$211One-way0 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 |
|---|---|
$21 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest |
1h 40m Average total duration 1h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Colchester to Chelmsford bus times
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Chelmsford buses for tomorrow, Saturday, May 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:42 AM Colchester | 1h25 | 12:07 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.
May 02
May 03
May 04
May 05
May 06
May 07
May 08
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Colchester to Chelmsford
Buses from Colchester to Chelmsford run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $21 (€17) but you can travel from only $14 (€11) by train.
There are 3 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 1h 25m.
Distance 21 miles (34 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 (€17) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 25m |
First bus 12:14 AM |
Last bus 11:44 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
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.

Most popular bus connections from Colchester
More options for your journey from Colchester to Chelmsford
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
