Bus from Colchester to Manningtree
5 direct routes · 13–48 min · first bus 07:20, last bus 20:44 (weekdays).
Next buses to Manningtree as of 18:21
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | First Essex | ~21 min | 11 | Sat 11 · no Sunday buses | 07:20 | 19:20 | Brook Street (opp) | Lawford Place (o/s) | Ardleigh |
4 occasional services — once or twice a day · 81A, 81, 102, 721
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81A | Central Connect | ~48 min | 1 | weekdays only | 17:45 | 17:45 | Middleborough (N-bound) | Lawford Place (o/s) | Langham, Dedham, Dedham Heath, Dedham, Dedham Heath & Ardleigh |
| 81 | Central Connect | ~47 min | 1 | weekdays only | 16:20 | 16:20 | Middleborough (N-bound) | Lawford Place (o/s) | Langham, Dedham, Dedham Heath & Ardleigh |
| 102 | Central Connect | ~28 min | 1 | Sat 2 · no Sunday buses | 20:44 | 20:44 | Brook Street (opp) | Lawford Place (o/s) | Ardleigh, Dedham, Dedham Heath & Ardleigh |
| 721 | Stephensons of Essex | ~13 min | 1 | weekdays only | 08:01 | 08:01 | St John's Road (adj) | Lawford Place (o/s) | Ardleigh |
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 104 bus, 81A bus, 81 bus, 102 bus or 721 bus timetable.
Fares from Colchester to Manningtree
- £3.00 adult single on the 104 (First Essex) and the 81A, 81 and 102 (Central Connect)
- £2.00 adult single, £4.00 return on the 721 (Stephensons of 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 Manningtree?
5 routes run directly from Colchester to Manningtree: the 104 (First Essex), the 81A (Central Connect), the 81 (Central Connect), the 102 (Central Connect), the 721 (Stephensons of Essex). The most frequent is the 104, 11 times each weekday — board at Brook Street (opp) and get off at Lawford Place (o/s), about 21 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Colchester to Manningtree?
Between 13 minutes on the 721 and 48 on the 81A, depending on which route you catch and on traffic. It calls at Ardleigh on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Colchester to Manningtree?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 07:20 and the last around 20:44. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Colchester to Manningtree?
Adult singles from Colchester to Manningtree: £3.00 on the 104 (First Essex) and the 81A, 81 and 102 (Central Connect); £2.00 on the 721 (Stephensons of 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.