Colchester to Leicester bus with National Express

Sun, Jun 21
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Colchester to Leicester

Showing times and prices for Jun 21

Cheapest price

$62

Average price

$67

Fastest journey

5 h

Average duration

5 h 20 m

Buses per day

17

Distance

162 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Colchester to Leicester will cost around $67 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.

Fast buses

It's difficult to get from Colchester to Leicester without transferring at least once.

  • National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
    8:50 AM7h30
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    4:20 PMLeicester, Braunstone
    $621One-way
    2 transfers
  • National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
    11:55 AM8h20
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    8:15 PMLeicester, Braunstone
    $621One-way
    2 transfers
  • National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
    11:55 AM8h20
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    8:15 PMLeicester, Braunstone
    $621One-way
    2 transfers
  • National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
    5:35 AM6h40
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    12:15 PMLeicester, Braunstone
    $621One-way
    2 transfers
  • National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
    2:10 PM6h50
    Colchester, East Hill / High Street
    9:00 PMLeicester, Braunstone
    $621One-way
    2 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for Colchester to Leicester

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 44m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, and a train costs an average of $55.

Distance: 100 miles (162 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Driving

$62

Average price

Cheapest

$85

Average price

$43

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 44m

Average total duration

4h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 14m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 44m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

East Midlands Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Colchester to Leicester is a bus with an average price of $62 (€51).

This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Leicester:

A bus is $23 (€19) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Colchester to Leicester costing on average $85 (€69).

The fastest way to travel from Colchester to Leicester is by train with an average journey time of 2h 44m.

Other travel options to Leicester take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 14m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Colchester and Leicester including taking a bus and train.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Colchester to Leicester among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.

You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.

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 Leicester Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
02:35AM
Arrival Time
09:55AM
Duration
7h20
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$71
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
04:35AM
Arrival Time
01:25PM
Duration
8h50
Departure days
Tue, Wed
Cheapest price
$56
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
05:35AM
Arrival Time
12:15PM
Duration
6h40
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$62
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
08:50AM
Arrival Time
04:20PM
Duration
7h30
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$62
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
11:55AM
Arrival Time
07:25PM
Duration
7h30
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$62
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
01:10PM
Arrival Time
09:30PM
Duration
8h20
Departure days
Thu
Cheapest price
$75
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
02:10PM
Arrival Time
09:00PM
Duration
6h50
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$62
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
03:40PM
Arrival Time
10:45PM
Duration
7h05
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$65
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
03:45PM
Arrival Time
10:45PM
Duration
7h00
Departure days
Fri
Cheapest price
$58
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
04:40PM
Arrival Time
01:05AM
Duration
8h25
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$65
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
06:40PM
Arrival Time
11:40PM
Duration
5h00
Departure days
Sun
Cheapest price
$65
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:35PM
Arrival Time
04:30AM
Duration
6h55
Departure days
Mon, Fri, Sat
Cheapest price
$49

Live departures

Colchester to Leicester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Leicester buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
National Express3:40 PM Colchester
7h05
10:45 PM Leicester0 transfersDirect
National Express9:35 PM Colchester
6h55
4:30 AM Leicester0 transfersDirect
Sunday, June 21
National ExpressNX717 · NXA6 · NX4402:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h20
9:55 AM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX440
On time
2:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h30
10:05 AM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station		2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA6 · NX440
On time
2:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h30
10:05 AM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station		2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX4402:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h20
9:55 AM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX230
Delayed
5:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
5h55
12:55 PM 12:55 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station		2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX4405:35 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
6h40
12:15 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NX777
On time
8:50 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
5h00
1:50 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station		1 transfer
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX4408:50 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h30
4:20 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX4408:50 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h30
4:20 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX44011:55 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
8h20
8:15 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX24011:55 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
7h30
7:25 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX44011:55 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
8h20
8:15 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX4402:10 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
6h50
9:00 PM Leicester, Braunstone2 transfers
National ExpressNX717 · NX777
On time
2:10 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street
5h40
7:50 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station		1 transfer

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Leicester by bus or train

Compare bus and train 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.

Sun
Jun 21
Mon
Jun 22
Tue
Jun 23
Wed
Jun 24
Thu
Jun 25
Fri
Jun 26
Sat
Jun 27

Why should you book Colchester to Leicester buses with Omio?

National Express as well as First Essex offer buses services from Colchester to Leicester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Colchester to Leicester.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of First Essex to find the best option for your trip from Colchester to Leicester.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Colchester to Leicester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Colchester to Leicester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Colchester to Leicester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Colchester to Leicester run on average 16 times per day, taking around 4h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 02:35, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 100 miles (162 km) distance in 5h 40m.

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
100 miles (162 km)
Average bus duration
4h 14m
Cheapest ticket price
$49 (€40)
Buses per day
16
Fastest bus
5h 40m
First bus
2:35 AM
Last bus
11:45 PM
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Best time to book
1 day
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, First Essex from Colchester to LeicesterYou can travel by bus between Colchester to Leicester with National Express, First Essex for as low as $49 (€40). 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
5h 40m
Cheapest Price
$49 (€40)
National Express frequency
5 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.
Learn more about National Express

First Essex

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 5m
First Essex frequency
4 a day

FAQs: Bus from Colchester to Leicester

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Colchester to Leicester can start from as little as $49 (€40) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Colchester to Leicester is $62 (€51) ; 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 Leicester is 5h 40m to travel the 100 miles (162 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Colchester to Leicester leaves at 2:35 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Colchester to Leicester leaves at 11:45 PM.
There are 16 buses a day from Colchester to Leicester which require at least one change with National Express, First Essex. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Colchester to Leicester, you can count on National Express, First Essex for the best way to get you to Leicester. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Colchester and Leicester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Leicester from Colchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 40m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Colchester to Leicester is May.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Colchester and Leicester including taking a bus and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Colchester to Leicester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Colchester to Leicester for bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Colchester to Leicester depends on the bus companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
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 bus from Colchester to Leicester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Colchester to Leicester:
  • 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 Leicester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Colchester to Leicester.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Colchester to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Colchester to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Colchester to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express.
Since neither Colchester nor Leicester are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Colchester to Leicester among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Leicester, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like markets and public transport. Common scams include overcharging by taxi drivers who are not licensed and street vendors selling counterfeit goods. Staying vigilant in busy spots and using licensed services helps ensure a safer visit.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from Colchester to Leicester

Most Colchester to Leicester buses use the Colchester, East Hill / High Street to Leicester, Braunstone station pair, with some services arriving at Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station. Use this guide to compare Colchester and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Colchester
Arrival bus stations in Leicester
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
City-centre transport

Getting to Colchester, East Hill / High Street from Colchester city centre

Bus1, 2, 3 · 1m · $4 · every ~17 min
107, 105 · 7m · $1 · every ~3 min

More options for your journey from Colchester to Leicester

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Tickets and more information for coaches to Leicester

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