First 51 Bus: Start of Service
The first 51 of the day from every stop on the route
Up early for a flight or an early shift? The first 51 bus of the day leaves Woolwich High Street at 04:15 towards Orpington Station (Mon-Fri). The tables below show the scheduled first 51 departure from every stop, in each direction, for each day of the week. Stop names link to the full 51 timetable with every departure of the day.
To Orpington Station
To Beresford Sq / Woolwich Arsenal Stn
Times are TfL's scheduled first departures from each stop in the given direction; the final stop's time is an arrival. Columns cover the days shown in their heading, and the highlighted column is today. On busy mornings buses can run a few minutes later than scheduled, so allow a small buffer if the first bus matters for a connection.
First 51 bus FAQs
What time is the first 51 bus?
The first 51 bus leaves Woolwich High Street at 04:15 towards Orpington Station (Mon-Fri). From Orpington Bus Station the first bus is at 04:30. Use the tables above for the first bus from any stop on the route.
What time is the first 51 bus on a Sunday?
On Sundays the first 51 bus leaves Woolwich High Street at 06:15. Sunday service usually starts later than on weekdays, so check the Sun column above for your stop.
Where does the first 51 bus start from?
The 51 starts from Woolwich High Street and runs to Orpington Station, and in the other direction from Orpington Bus Station. Buses reach stops along the route a few minutes after leaving the start, and the tables above show the scheduled first departure at every stop.
Planning the other end of the day?
See every 51 departure and the last bus from your stop, or check live arrivals while you wait.
Full 51 timetable → Live 51 arrivals →