4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Southampton to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €67 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 16m. 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 €67, while a train costs an average of €71.
Distance: 120 miles (194 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€67 Average price Cheapest | €71 Average price | €42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Southampton to Colchester
Compare the available ways to get from Southampton to Colchester, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Colchester:
A bus is €5 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Colchester costing on average €71.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 48m.
Tickets start at around €67 compared to roughly €42 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -€25. The journey takes 5h 18m versus 3h 0m 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 Southampton to Colchester
How to get from Southampton to Colchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Southampton to Colchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX717
6:50 PM 6h55 Southampton, University 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street €33 1 One-way 2 transfers
Cheapest
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX717
6:50 PM 6h55 Southampton, University 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street €33 1 One-way 2 transfers
Fastest
G00858+L79358+
Tube from London Waterloo to Stratford (London)+
P012459:15 AM 3h02 Southampton Central (SOU) 12:17 PM Colchester station (COL) €106 1 One-way 3 transfers
Other options
- G00855+
W35358+
C38186+P012368:15 AM 3h05 Southampton Central (SOU) 11:20 AM Colchester station (COL) €106 1 One-way 3 transfers - L78757+Tube from London Waterloo to Stratford (London)+P66942
8:00 AM 3h13 Southampton Central (SOU) 11:13 AM Colchester station (COL) €106 1 One-way 2 transfers - L78765+Tube from London Waterloo to Stratford (London)+C04652
9:00 AM 3h14 Southampton Central (SOU) 12:14 PM Colchester station (COL) €106 1 One-way 2 transfers
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX717
6:50 PM 6h55 Southampton, University 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street €33 1 One-way 2 transfers - NX032 · NXA8 · NX717
6:35 PM 7h10 Southampton, Coach Station 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street €33 1 One-way 2 transfers - NX032 · NXA8 · NX717
6:35 PM 7h10 Southampton, Coach Station 1:45 AM Colchester, East Hill / High Street €33 1 One-way 2 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Southampton 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 Southampton to Colchester.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Colchester:
A bus is €5 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Colchester costing on average €71.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 48m.
- Around 16 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Southampton and Colchester as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Buses mostly depart from Southampton, Coach Station and arrive in Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
- Trains mostly depart from Southampton Central (SOU) and arrive in Colchester station (COL).
- Travel with National Express to go to Colchester by bus.
- Travel with South Western Railway, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia to go to Colchester by train.
Travelling from Southampton to Colchester: related information
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