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 train, with an average ticket price of $55 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 4m. 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 train costs an average of $55, while a bus costs an average of $66.
Distance: 120 miles (194 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$66 Average price | $55 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 51m Average total duration 5h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Colchester:
A train is $11 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Southampton to Colchester costing on average $66.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 51m.
Tickets start at around $66 compared to roughly $50 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-16.08. The journey takes 5h 21m 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 · NX7179:15 AM7h40Southampton, Coach Station4:55 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street$581One-way2 transfers
Cheapest
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX7179:15 AM7h40Southampton, Coach Station4:55 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street$581One-way2 transfers
Fastest
G00874+
C37935+
W35216+
P0127412:15 PM3h01Southampton Central (SOU)3:16 PMColchester station (COL)$1261One-way3 transfers
Other options
- G00880+C38016+P01282+C059861:15 PM3h01Southampton Central (SOU)4:16 PMColchester station (COL)$1261One-way3 transfers
- L80184+P67225+
Tube from London Waterloo to Stratford (London)1:25 PM3h46Southampton Central (SOU)5:11 PMColchester station (COL)$1261One-way2 transfers - L80180+C03059 · C02506+C3682212:25 PM3h46Southampton Central (SOU)4:11 PMColchester station (COL)$1261One-way4 transfers
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX7174:05 PM6h45Southampton, University10:50 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street$581One-way2 transfers
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX7173:45 PM7h05Southampton, Coach Station10:50 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street$581One-way2 transfers
- NX032 · NXA8 · NX71711:05 AM8h45Southampton, University7:50 PMColchester, East Hill / High Street$621One-way2 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 $7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Colchester costing on average $90.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 49m.
- Around 18 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 South Western Railway, CrossCountry to go to Colchester by train.
- Travel with National Express to go to Colchester by bus.
Travelling from Southampton to Colchester: related information
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