Glasgow to Colchester bus with National Express

Wed, Oct 21
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Glasgow to Colchester

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Oct 21

Cheapest price on Oct 21

$75

Average ticket price on Oct 21

$84

Fastest journey on Oct 21

12 h

Average journey duration on Oct 21

12 h 8 m

Buses on Oct 21

2

Distance

556 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Glasgow to Colchester will cost around $84 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $75.

Fast buses

On Wed, Oct 21, we found 2 buses from Glasgow to Colchester, including 2 direct services.

On Wed, Oct 21 the direct buses cover the 556 km distance in an average of 12 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h .

On Wed, Oct 21 the slowest buses will take 12 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
    9:45 PM12h00
    Glasgow
    9:45 AMColchester
    $751One-way
    0 transfers
  • National Express
    8:45 PM12h15
    Glasgow
    9:00 AMColchester
    $931One-way
    0 transfers

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Glasgow to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Glasgow to Colchester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 11h 39m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $68 but you can travel from only $38 by flight.

The earliest bus runs at 03:05, the last at 22:45. The fastest bus covers the 345 miles (556 km) distance in 10h 7m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $38
Distance
345 miles (556 km)
Average bus duration
11h 39m
Cheapest ticket price
$68
Buses per day
4
Fastest bus
10h 7m
First bus
3:05 AM
Last bus
10:45 PM
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
3 days
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $38

Glasgow to Colchester Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
08:15AM
Arrival Time
12:45AM
Duration
16h30
Departure days
Thu
Cheapest price
$125
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:15AM
Arrival Time
01:45AM
Duration
16h30
Departure days
Tue
Cheapest price
$116
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
08:45PM
Arrival Time
09:00AM
Duration
12h15
Departure days
Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun
Cheapest price
$85
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:45PM
Arrival Time
09:35AM
Duration
11h50
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat
Cheapest price
$68
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
10:45PM
Arrival Time
12:10PM
Duration
13h25
Departure days
Tue, Fri
Cheapest price
$62

Live departures

Glasgow to Colchester bus times

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

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
National ExpressNX591 · NX737 · NX7179:15 AM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
16h30
1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street2 transfers
National ExpressNX595 · NX737 · NX7179:45 PM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
12h15
10:00 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street2 transfers
National ExpressNX594 · NXA8 · NX71710:45 PM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
13h40
12:25 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street2 transfers
National ExpressNX594 · NXA8 · NX71710:45 PM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
13h40
12:25 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street2 transfers

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Glasgow to Colchester buses with Omio?

National Express operates all buses services from Glasgow to Colchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Glasgow to Colchester.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Glasgow to Colchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

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

Bus providers: National Express from Glasgow to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Glasgow to Colchester with National Express for as low as $38. 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 National Express Duration
10h 7m
Cheapest National Express Price
$68
National Express frequency
4 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.

Complete guide to Colchester

Things to do in Colchester

Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.

  • Must visit

Colchester Castle Museum

Major museum inside the Norman castle, presenting Roman finds and town history. Essential for understanding Colchester from Iron Age to modern times.

  • Recommended

The Military Museum

Award-winning museum on former barracks, covering military life and the Essex Regiment. Strong collections make it a standout for social and army history.

  • Recommended

Colchester Natural History Museum

Natural history museum in a former church, with local wildlife, geology, and family displays. A useful stop for learning about Essex's environment.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining cost less than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for tourists.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.50-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add service; if not, tip 10-12% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.

FAQs: Bus from Glasgow to Colchester

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

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Glasgow to Colchester can start from as little as $68 when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Glasgow to Colchester is $124 ; 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 Glasgow to Colchester is 10h 7m to travel the 345 miles (556 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 Glasgow to Colchester leaves at 3:05 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Glasgow to Colchester leaves at 10:45 PM.
There are 4 buses a day from Glasgow to Colchester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Glasgow to Colchester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Colchester. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Glasgow and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
Passengers board the bus most frequently from Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the bus at Colchester, East Hill / High Street, located 0 away from the city centre.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Glasgow and Colchester including taking a train, bus, and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Glasgow to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Glasgow to Colchester for bus company National Express.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Glasgow to Colchester 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.
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 Glasgow to Colchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Glasgow to Colchester:
  • 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 Glasgow to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Glasgow to Colchester.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Glasgow to Colchester with the following bus company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Glasgow to Colchester with the following bus company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Glasgow to Colchester with the following bus company: National Express.
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 Colchester, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in busy areas like the town center and near popular attractions. Common scams include overcharging by taxis that are not licensed and fraudulent street vendors. It's advisable to use official transportation services and remain vigilant in crowded places to avoid these issues.
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 Glasgow to Colchester

Most Glasgow to Colchester buses use the Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Glasgow and Colchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Glasgow
Arrival bus stations in Colchester

Which Glasgow station do buses to Colchester leave from?

Buses from Glasgow to Colchester leave from Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station. The station is from Glasgow city centre at Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW, United Kingdom.
Glasgow, Buchanan Bus StationKillermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station from Glasgow city centre

Bus15 · 2m · $2 · every ~8 min
4 · 4m · $3 · every ~6 min
9, 9A, X8 · 6m · $3 · every ~26 min

Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station bus station facilities and services

Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafeteria Buchanan (in the station), Coffee Express (in the station), Fast Bites (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.

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