Cardiff to Colchester bus with National Express

Sat, Dec 13
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
AirCoach
Avanza
1,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
AirCoach
Avanza
1,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Colchester

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €34. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €34, and a train costs an average of €39.

Distance: 285 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train

€49

Average price

Cheapest

€69

Average price

7h 4m

Average total duration

6h 34m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 34m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Rail

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Cardiff to Colchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Colchester buses for today, Monday, December 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 3:25 AM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_express4:30 PM Cardiff
7h45
12:15 AM Colchester0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Colchester by train or bus

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.

Tue
Dec 16
Wed
Dec 17
Thu
Dec 18
Fri
Dec 19
Sat
Dec 20
Sun
Dec 21
Mon
Dec 22

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Colchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 6h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €34 if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 03:05, the last at 19:58. The fastest bus covers the 285 km distance in 7h 45m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
285 km
Average bus duration
6h 34m
Cheapest ticket price
€34
Buses per day
7
Fastest bus
7h 45m
First bus
03:05
Last bus
19:58
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Cardiff to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Colchester with National Express for as low as €34. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 45m
Cheapest Price
€34
National Express frequency
8 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
Learn more about National Express

FAQs: Bus from Cardiff to Colchester

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cardiff to Colchester can start from as little as €36 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cardiff to Colchester is €61; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cardiff to Colchester is 8 h 5 min   to travel the 285 km long trip, with around there are 7 coaches per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.
The first coach from Cardiff to Colchester leaves at 03: 00. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last coach from Cardiff to Colchester leaves at 19: 58.
There are 7 coaches a day from Cardiff to Colchester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cardiff to Colchester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Colchester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service to Colchester from Cardiff and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cardiff to Colchester is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel to Colchester from Cardiff including taking a train or coach.
No, the coach from Cardiff to Colchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cardiff to Colchester, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

    • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.
    No, luggage for the coach from Cardiff to Colchester needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Cardiff to Colchester.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Cardiff to Colchester

    Cardiff
    Colchester
    The major bus station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens for your trip from Cardiff to Colchester.
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    information
    Cardiff, University
    information
    Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent)
    information

    More options for your journey from Cardiff to Colchester

    Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

    Tickets and more information for coaches to Cardiff
    Tickets and more information for coaches to Colchester
    HomeBusesBus tickets to ColchesterCardiff to Colchester bus

    The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

    We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

    ios-badge
    android-badge
    Hand With Phone