X20 Colchester to Stansted Airport

Journey planner

Airlink X20 - Now serving Takeley

Check before you travel - NEW timetable in operation from 1st June 2025.

Hop on the X20 for a laid-back, comfy, and wallet-friendly journey! Running daily through Colchester, Coggeshall, Braintree, Great Dunmow, all the way to Stansted—even late nights. For just £3, we’ll get you to the terminal faster, easier, and cheaper.

>CLICK HERE TO VIEW X20 TIMETABLE< Airlink X20 Colchester to Stansted Airport

Map

In addition to the timetables and leaflets made available above, we've made this handy map showing our entire X20 service, to help make your journey to the airport even easier.

Where the X20 can take you?

Travel around the X20 route with a single fare of only £3—easy and affordable!

Colchester City Centre
Explore historic sites, museums, beautiful parks, shops, and great places to eat.
Braintree High Street
Perfect for a bit of retail therapy, local markets, and a bite to eat.
Tollgate Shopping Centre
Big brands, big bargains—everything you need in one place.
Great Dunmow High Street
Local, and full of independent shops and cafés.
Stansted Airport
Jetting off? The X20 gets you there with ease—straight to the terminal door.

Fares & Tickets

Wherever you’re heading on the X20, it’s just £3 for a single ticket. That’s it! Buy on the First Bus App or pay your driver – cash or contactless, your choice.

From buying the right ticket to planning your journey and checking live times, the First Bus App makes bus travel a breeze.

Download the APP today!

Service Disruptions - 10/06/2025

Last updated at 09:50 - Notifications listed oldest to newest >>>

22 & 28

London Road/Rectory Road (Pitsea) - Lanes are closed in both directions. The 22 and 28 services are currently diverting in both directions via the A13.

The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:

Pitsea Broadway
Bluehouse Farm
Bowers Close
Church Road
St Margaret's School
Pound Lane

336

Emergency road closure on Bicknacre Road until Tuesday 17th June 2025. The 336 service is currently diverting in both directions via the A414 and B1418.

The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:

Eves Corner (towards South Woodham Ferrers ONLY)
The Common
Moor Hall Lane
Peartree Lane
The White Swan

FOR PRE-PLANNED DIVERSIONS - CLICK HERE >>

>>> Service Changes from 1st June 2025

Updated 27/05/2025 - NEW 407 & 417 Old Harlow to Harlow Hospital timetable uploaded.

We are making minor changes to the Essex bus network from Sunday 1st June 2025.

Key details:

Service:	Journey:	What's changing?
2A	Highwoods to Horkesley Heath	Minor timetable changes to evening and Sunday journeys to improve the punctuality of the 2A service. This service is operated under contract to Essex County Council. Essex County Council has approved the timetable changes.
X20	Colchester to Stansted Airport (via Braintree)	The X20 service will be re-routed, between Great Dunmow and Stansted Airport, via the B1256, Little Canfield and Takely. The overall number of journeys provided remains unchanged, with some minor timing changes to the timetable to accommodate the re-routing. The change in route provides a weekly/24hr service to Stansted Airport, Great Dunmow, Braintree and Colchester. 45 minute journeys between Braintree and Stansted Airport. The maximum single fare remains at £3 until the end of 2025 (funded by HM Government). This offers great value for journeys from Colchester, Braintree and Great Dunmow to Stansted Airport. For customers travelling between Takeley and Stansted Airport - a maximum £2 single fare will apply.
407/417	Old Harlow to Harlow Hospital	The Old Harlow terminus point has been moved from Aspen Way to Old Oak Way.

Service:

Journey:

What's changing?

Highwoods to Horkesley Heath

Minor timetable changes to evening and Sunday journeys to improve the punctuality of the 2A service.

This service is operated under contract to Essex County Council.
Essex County Council has approved the timetable changes.

X20

Colchester to Stansted Airport (via Braintree)

The X20 service will be re-routed, between Great Dunmow and Stansted Airport, via the B1256, Little Canfield and Takely.

The overall number of journeys provided remains unchanged, with some minor timing changes to the timetable to accommodate the re-routing.
The change in route provides a weekly/24hr service to Stansted Airport, Great Dunmow, Braintree and Colchester.
45 minute journeys between Braintree and Stansted Airport.

The maximum single fare remains at £3 until the end of 2025 (funded by HM Government). This offers great value for journeys from Colchester, Braintree and Great Dunmow to Stansted Airport.

For customers travelling between Takeley and Stansted Airport - a maximum £2 single fare will apply.

407/417

Old Harlow to Harlow Hospital

The Old Harlow terminus point has been moved from Aspen Way to Old Oak Way.

The NEW timetables are available to download/print here ↓