- 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 19
$9
Average ticket price on Sep 19
$47
Fastest journey on Sep 19
2 h
Average journey duration on Sep 19
2 h 10 m
Buses on Sep 19
8
Distance
73 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Stratford to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Stratford to Colchester will cost around $47 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $9.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 8 buses from Stratford to Colchester, including 1 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct buses cover the 73 km distance in an average of 2 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest buses will take 2 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.
FlixBus
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717
FlixBus
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717
NXA9 · NX717Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Stratford to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $41 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 19m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $41, while a bus costs an average of $53.
Distance: 45 miles (73 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$53 Average price | $41 Average price Cheapest | $37 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 15m Average total duration 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 19m Average total duration Fastest 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 14m 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 Stratford to Colchester:
A train is $13 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Stratford to Colchester costing on average $53.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 45m.
Tickets start at around $53 compared to roughly $37 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-16.85. The journey takes 1h 45m versus 1h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:55AM | Arrival Time 09:05AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Elizabeth line | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 10:04AM | Duration 2h39 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 10:05AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Elizabeth line | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 11:16AM | Duration 2h36 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:35PM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:35PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:55PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $52 |
The table below shows live departures for Stratford to Colchester buses for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:55 PM Stratford | 2h20 | 1:15 AM Colchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, September 19 | |||||
NXA9 · NX717 | 7:55 AM London, Stratford City Bus Station | 2h10 | 10:05 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 1 transfer | |
NXA9 · NX717 | 9:55 AM London, Stratford City Bus Station | 2h30 | 12:25 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 1 transfer | |
NXA9 · NX717 | 12:35 PM London, Stratford City Bus Station | 2h20 | 2:55 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 1 transfer | |
NXA9 · NX717 | 2:35 PM London, Stratford City Bus Station | 2h20 | 4:55 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 1 transfer | |
NXA9 · NX717 | 5:35 PM London, Stratford City Bus Station | 2h15 | 7:50 PM Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Stratford to Colchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $9 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:13, the last at 23:58. The fastest bus covers the 45 miles (73 km) distance in 1h 35m.
Distance 45 miles (73 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $9 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 1h 35m |
First bus 12:13 AM |
Last bus 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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 Stratford 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 Stratford to Colchester buses use the London, Stratford City Bus Station to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair, with some services arriving at Marks Tey, A120. Use this guide to compare Stratford and Colchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
London, Stratford City Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Five Guys (in the station), Wahaca (0.2 km), The Real Greek (0.3 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside Westfield Stratford City.
Ticket office support is available at London, Stratford City Bus Station.
Available at London, Stratford City Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Stratford City Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
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.
Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station). ATMs are available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station).
Ticket office support is available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station).
Available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station): Wheelchair accessible with ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need