Bus from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre
7 direct routes · 49–92 min · first bus 05:22, last bus 21:18 (weekdays).
Next buses to Chelmsford City Centre as of 14:42
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Colchester, from the operators' timetables — they update automatically. Open the stop for live tracking.
Direct routes
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 371 | First Essex | ~85 min | 23 | Sat 21 · Sun 12 | 05:22 | 18:18 | Essex County Hospital (o/s) | Retail Market (Stop 1) | Copford, Marks Tey, Feering, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel & 1 more |
| 375 | First Essex | ~86 min | 13 | Sat 12 · no Sunday buses | 05:46 | 20:01 | Crouch Street (Stop Da) | Retail Market (Stop 1) | Heckfordbridge, Birch, Smyths Green, Messing, Tiptree, Tiptree Heath & 7 more |
5 occasional services — once or twice a day · 71, UK007, 525, 676, X70
Often school, college or market-day journeys — check the route before relying on one.
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | First Essex | ~68 min | 2 | Sat 1 · no Sunday buses | 19:18 | 21:18 | Essex County Hospital (o/s) | Retail Market (Stop 1) | Copford, Marks Tey, Feering, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel & 1 more |
| UK007 | FlixBus | ~55 min | 1 | Sat 1 · Sun 1 | 08:00 | 08:00 | Stanwell Street (Stop Bc) | Coach Stop (NE-bound) | — |
| 525 | First Essex | ~65 min | 1 | weekdays only | 15:50 | 15:50 | Essex County Hospital (o/s) | Station (Stand VA) | Feering, Kelvedon & Witham |
| 676 | Stephensons of Essex | ~49 min | 1 | weekdays only | 15:50 | 15:50 | Essex County Hospital (opp) | Parkway (Stop G) | Hatfield Peverel & Boreham |
| X70 | First Essex | ~92 min | 1 | weekdays only | 09:08 | 09:08 | Essex County Hospital (o/s) | Bus Station (Stand 1) | Copford, Marks Tey, Little Tey, Coggeshall, Bradwell, Braintree & 3 more |
Times are for the first boarding point in Colchester on each route's weekday timetable — open the route for the full timetable, live map and every stop.
The same number runs elsewhere in the UK — see every 371 bus, 375 bus, 71 bus, 525 bus, 676 bus or X70 bus timetable.
Fares from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre
- £3.00 adult single on the 371, 375, 71 and X70 (First Essex)
- £9.00 adult single on the 525 (First Essex)
Between the stops in the table above. The operators' own published fares, from the Bus Open Data Service; check with the operator before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre?
7 routes run directly from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre: the 371 (First Essex), the 375 (First Essex), the 71 (First Essex), the UK007 (FlixBus), the 525 (First Essex), the 676 (Stephensons of Essex), the X70 (First Essex). The most frequent is the 371, 23 times each weekday — board at Essex County Hospital (o/s) and get off at Retail Market (Stop 1), about 85 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre?
Between 49 minutes on the 676 and 92 on the X70, depending on which route you catch and on traffic. It calls at Copford, Marks Tey, Feering, Kelvedon and other stops on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 05:22 and the last around 21:18. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre?
Adult singles from Colchester to Chelmsford City Centre: £3.00 on the 371, 375, 71 and X70 (First Essex); £9.00 on the 525 (First Essex). Prices are the operators' own published fares on the Bus Open Data Service — check with the operator before you travel. Most single fares in England are capped at £3 until 31 December 2026, then £2 from 1 January 2027.
Same journey, other stops
The same trip, starting or ending at a town centre that has its own page here.