- 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.
Cheapest price on Sep 05
$33
Average ticket price on Sep 05
$35
Fastest journey on Sep 05
45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 05
50 m
Buses on Sep 05
7
Distance
48 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester will cost around $35 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $33.
On Sat, Sep 05, we found 7 buses from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester, including 7 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 05 the direct buses cover the 48 km distance in an average of 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 45 m .
On Sat, Sep 05 the slowest buses will take 55 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.
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717
NX717Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $23 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 1h 24m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, while a train costs an average of $50.
Distance: 29 miles (48 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$23 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price | $14 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 24m Average total duration Fastest 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 9m Average total duration 1h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester costing on average $50 (€40).
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 39m.
You'll arrive about 2m sooner (54m by bus vs 56m by car). Tickets start at around $23 (€19) compared to roughly $14 (€11) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you're getting time back, skipping traffic and parking, and you can work or rest on board.
Direct coaches are operated by National Express.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel splits across several people), want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 10:05AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
The table below shows live departures for Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester buses for today, Friday, September 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX717 | 10:00 PM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h50 | 10:50 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, September 5 | |||||
NX717 | 1:00 AM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h45 | 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX717 | 9:15 AM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h50 | 10:05 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX717 | 11:30 AM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h55 | 12:25 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX717 | 2:00 PM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h55 | 2:55 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX717 | 4:00 PM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h55 | 4:55 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX717 | 7:00 PM Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 0h50 | 7:50 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $14 (€12) if you book in advance.
There are 7 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 22:00. The fastest bus covers the 29 miles (48 km) distance in 50m.
Distance 29 miles (48 km) |
Average bus duration 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 (€12) |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 50m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.
Major museum inside the Norman castle, presenting Roman finds and town history. Essential for understanding Colchester from Iron Age to modern times.
Award-winning museum on former barracks, covering military life and the Essex Regiment. Strong collections make it a standout for social and army history.
Natural history museum in a former church, with local wildlife, geology, and family displays. A useful stop for learning about Essex's environment.
Historic park around the castle with formal planting, Roman walls, and central lawns. A classic place to relax while exploring the old town.
Charming conservation area of timber-framed buildings and narrow streets, reflecting the town's links with Dutch and Flemish settlers.
Main shopping and historic street lined with heritage buildings, independent businesses, and civic landmarks. A practical and atmospheric town-centre walk.
Colchester Native Oysters are famed shellfish from local estuaries, eaten raw or dressed. They are one of Britain’s oldest recorded regional delicacies.
Essex Eel Pie is a traditional regional pie of chopped eel in rich gravy. It reflects the historic importance of estuary fishing in Essex.
Tiptree Jam Tart uses the county’s famous Wilkin & Sons preserves in a simple buttery tart. It is a classic Essex tea-room style dessert.
Well-regarded modern British restaurant serving seasonal tasting-style plates in an intimate, refined atmosphere.
Established seafood restaurant known for oysters, fish and polished service in a smart but relaxed setting near the town centre.
Popular casual venue for brunch, coffee and comfort food with a stylish interior and a strong local following.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining cost less than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for tourists.
Restaurants may add service; if not, tip 10-12% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Colchester East Hill / High Street, Colchester -> Colchester Town Centre, Colchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stansted Mountfitchet 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.

Most Stansted Mountfitchet to Colchester buses use the Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Stansted Mountfitchet and Colchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Colchester, East Hill / High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street. ATMs are available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
Ticket office support is available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
Available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street: Limited accessibility features.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need