First 56 Bus: Start of Service
The first 56 of the day from every stop on the route
Up early for a flight or an early shift? The first 56 bus of the day leaves Whipps Cross Bus Stand at 04:05 towards St. Bartholomew's Hospital (Mon-Fri). The tables below show the scheduled first 56 departure from every stop, in each direction, for each day of the week. Stop names link to the full 56 timetable with every departure of the day.
To St. Bartholomew's Hospital
To Whipps Cross Bus Stand
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 56 bus FAQs
What time is the first 56 bus?
The first 56 bus leaves Whipps Cross Bus Stand at 04:05 towards St. Bartholomew's Hospital (Mon-Fri). From St Bartholomew's Hospital the first bus is at 04:50. Use the tables above for the first bus from any stop on the route.
What time is the first 56 bus on a Sunday?
On Sundays the first 56 bus leaves Whipps Cross Bus Stand at 04:05. Sunday service usually starts later than on weekdays, so check the Sun column above for your stop.
Where does the first 56 bus start from?
The 56 starts from Whipps Cross Bus Stand and runs to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and in the other direction from St Bartholomew's Hospital. 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 56 departure and the last bus from your stop, or check live arrivals while you wait.
Full 56 timetable → Live 56 arrivals →