The cheapest and fastest buses from Leicester to Colchester
Cheapest price
$43
Average price
$52
Fastest journey
7 h 20 m
Average duration
7 h 48 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
162 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Leicester to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Colchester will cost around $52 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $43.
Of the 2 buses that leave Leicester for Colchester on Fri, Jun 12, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 12 the direct buses cover the 162 km distance in an average of 7 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 20 m .
On Fri, Jun 12 the slowest buses will take 8 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.
5:55 PM7h20Leicester1:15 AMColchester$431One-way0 transfers
5:45 AM8h15Leicester2:00 PMColchester$611One-way0 transfers
5:55 PM7h20Leicester1:15 AMColchester$431One-way0 transfers
5:45 AM8h15Leicester2:00 PMColchester$611One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Leicester to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $42. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 21m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $42, and a train costs an average of $56.
Distance: 100 miles (162 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$64 Average price Cheapest | $115 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 36m Average total duration 4h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 51m Average total duration Fastest 2h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Leicester to Colchester:
A bus is $50 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Colchester costing on average $115 (€93).
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 6m.
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.
Leicester to Colchester Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 01:55PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 8h15 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Live departures
Leicester to Colchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Colchester buses for today, Thursday, June 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:10 AM Leicester | 8h45 | 1:55 PM Colchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:55 PM Leicester | 7h20 | 1:15 AM Colchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Colchester 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.
Jun 12
Jun 13
Jun 14
Jun 15
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 18
Why should you book Leicester to Colchester buses with Omio?
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 bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Leicester to Colchester.
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 Leicester to Colchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Leicester to Colchester
Buses from Leicester to Colchester run on average 17 times per day, taking around 4h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $42 (€34) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 100 miles (162 km) distance in 7h 10m.
Distance 100 miles (162 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 (€34) |
Buses per day 17 |
Fastest bus 7h 10m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 14 days |
Bus providers: National Express from Leicester to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Leicester to Colchester with National Express for as low as $42 (€34). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
FAQs: Bus from Leicester to Colchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester 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.

- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- 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.
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Leicester to Colchester
Most popular bus connections from Leicester
More options for your journey from Leicester to Colchester
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