Manchester to Chelmsford bus with National Express

Sun, Jun 21
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Manchester to Chelmsford

Showing times and prices for Jun 21

Cheapest price

$77

Average price

$77

Fastest journey

8 h 46 m

Average duration

8 h 46 m

Buses per day

1

Distance

267 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Manchester to Chelmsford will cost around $77 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $77.

Fast buses

It's difficult to get from Manchester to Chelmsford without transferring at least 2 times.

  • National Express
    11:40 PM8h46
    Manchester
    8:26 AMChelmsford
    $771One-way
    2 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Manchester to Chelmsford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Chelmsford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $77. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $77, and a flight costs an average of $90.

Distance: 165 miles (267 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train
Flight
Driving

$77

Average price

Cheapest

$128

Average price

$204

Average price

$91

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

8h 48m

Average total duration

8h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 32m

Average total duration

3h 2m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 15m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 15m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

4h 17m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

-

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.8 - 1.6kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Chelmsford is a bus with an average price of $77 (€63).

This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Chelmsford:

A bus is $51 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Chelmsford costing on average $128 (€105).

A bus is $127 (€104) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Chelmsford costing on average $204 (€167).

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to Chelmsford is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 15m.

Other travel options to Chelmsford take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 2m.

Bus takes on average 8h 18m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Manchester and Chelmsford including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Manchester to Chelmsford 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.

Manchester to Chelmsford Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
02:45AM
Arrival Time
10:54AM
Duration
8h09
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
05:15AM
Arrival Time
12:54PM
Duration
7h39
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
06:35AM
Arrival Time
12:56PM
Duration
6h21
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:30AM
Arrival Time
05:13PM
Duration
7h43
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
11:45AM
Arrival Time
06:24PM
Duration
6h39
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
07:15PM
Arrival Time
07:42AM
Duration
12h27
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Cheapest price
$77
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
11:40PM
Arrival Time
08:53AM
Duration
9h13
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
Cheapest price
$77

Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Chelmsford by train, bus, or flight

Compare train, bus, and flight 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 Manchester to Chelmsford buses with Omio?

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

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 Manchester to Chelmsford.

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 Manchester to Chelmsford.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Manchester to Chelmsford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Manchester to Chelmsford run on average 8 times per day, taking around 8h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $77 (€63) if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 04:55, the last at 21:55. The fastest bus covers the 165 miles (267 km) distance in 6h 21m.

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
165 miles (267 km)
Average bus duration
8h 18m
Cheapest ticket price
$77 (€63)
Buses per day
8
Fastest bus
6h 21m
First bus
4:55 AM
Last bus
9:55 PM
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
84 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

Bus providers: National Express from Manchester to ChelmsfordYou can travel by bus between Manchester to Chelmsford with National Express for as low as $77 (€63). 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
6h 21m
Cheapest Price
$77 (€63)
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.

FAQs: Bus from Manchester to Chelmsford

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester 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.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Manchester to Chelmsford can start from as little as $77 (€63) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Manchester to Chelmsford is $77 (€63) ; 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 Manchester to Chelmsford is 6h 21m to travel the 165 miles (267 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 Manchester to Chelmsford leaves at 4:55 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Manchester to Chelmsford leaves at 9:55 PM.
There are 8 buses a day from Manchester to Chelmsford which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Manchester to Chelmsford, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Chelmsford. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Manchester and Chelmsford and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Chelmsford from Manchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 21m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Manchester and Chelmsford including taking a train, bus, and flight.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford for bus company National Express.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Manchester to Chelmsford 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 Manchester to Chelmsford.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Manchester to Chelmsford:
  • 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 Manchester to Chelmsford:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford with the following bus company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford with the following bus company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Manchester to Chelmsford with the following bus company: National Express.
Since neither Manchester nor Chelmsford 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 train as it is the most popular way to get from Manchester to Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford, travelers should be aware of occasional pickpocketing in crowded areas and be cautious when using unofficial taxi services to avoid overcharging. It's advisable to keep personal belongings secure and use licensed transportation options. There are no widespread scams specific to Chelmsford, but general vigilance against common travel scams is recommended.
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.
HomeBusesBuses in United KingdomManchester to Chelmsford bus

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