4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Manchester to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €72 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €72, while a flight costs an average of €349.
Distance: 171 miles (276 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€72 Average price Cheapest | €129 Average price | €349 Average price | €76 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 39m Average total duration 7h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | 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 Manchester to Colchester:
A bus is €57 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Colchester costing on average €129.
A bus is €277 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Colchester costing on average €349.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 57m.
Bus takes on average 7h 39m.
Tickets start at around €72 compared to roughly €76 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €4. The journey takes 7h 9m versus 4h 45m 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.
Travel optionsfrom Manchester to Colchester
How to get from Manchester to Colchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Manchester to Colchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- NX540 · NXA8 · NX7175:10 PM8h35Manchester, Coach Station1:45 AMColchester, East Hill / High Street€621One-way2 transfers
Cheapest
- NX540 · NXA8 · NX7175:10 PM8h35Manchester, Coach Station1:45 AMColchester, East Hill / High Street€621One-way2 transfers
Fastest
- BA13694:45 PM1h05Manchester Airport5:50 PMLondon Heathrow Airport€2001One-way0 transfers
Other options
- W33548+
C21346+
P01260+
Tube from London Euston to London Liverpool Street8:41 AM5h05Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)1:46 PMColchester station (COL)€1251One-way3 transfers - W33397+Tube from London Euston to London Liverpool Street+P012558:14 AM5h02Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1:16 PMColchester station (COL)€2731One-way2 transfers
- W33686+
P24192+Tube from London Euston to London Liverpool Street+P012698:46 AM6h00Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)2:46 PMColchester station (COL)€2731One-way3 transfers
- NX540 · NXA8 · NX7177:20 AM9h35Manchester, Coach Station4:55 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street€821One-way2 transfers
- NX540 · NX737 · NX7172:35 PM8h15Manchester, Coach Station10:50 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street€841One-way2 transfers
- NX421 · NX777 · NX7172:45 AM9h40Manchester, Coach Station12:25 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street€861One-way2 transfers
- BA13796:45 AM1h15Manchester Airport8:00 AMLondon Heathrow Airport€2001One-way0 transfers
- BA13817:45 AM1h15Manchester Airport9:00 AMLondon Heathrow Airport€2051One-way0 transfers
- BA136110:50 AM1h10Manchester Airport12:00 PMLondon Heathrow Airport€2771One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Manchester to Colchester
Travel to Colchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Manchester to Colchester.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Colchester:
A bus is €57 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Colchester costing on average €129.
A bus is €277 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Colchester costing on average €349.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 57m.
Bus takes on average 7h 39m.
- Around 13 flights per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
- Around 7 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and Colchester as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in London Heathrow Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and arrive in Colchester station (COL).
- Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Coach Station and arrive in Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia to go to Colchester by train.
- Travel with National Express to go to Colchester by bus.
- Travel with British Airways, Loganair, BA Cityflyer to go to Colchester by flight.
- 6 direct flights per day with British Airways.
Travelling from Manchester to Colchester: related information
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