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Tourist Information

Sight-Seeing Itineraries Maps Tours How To Get Here How To Get Around Essential Information Oxford University

 


 
How to Get Here

From the Airport

London Heathrow International Airport, and Gatwick Airport are linked to Oxford by The Airline coach company, which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Heathrow is the closest international airport to Oxford. Stansted Airport is linked to Oxford by the National Express 757, which runs approximately every two hours.

Bus:

In our opinion, the easiest and cheapest way to get to Oxford is to take a bus from the airport that comes straight to the city. Buses run by The Airline leave Heathrow approximately every 20 minutes, and Gatwick every hour, and are large, comfortable coaches that allow you to sit back, relax, and watch the beautiful countryside. From Heathrow, a return ticket costs approximately £19 and takes approximately 80 minutes from terminals 1,2,and 3, and 100 minutes from terminal 5 (for terminal 4 you will need to take the free inter-terminal train to either terminal 5 or central bus station). From Gatwick, a return ticket costs approximately £27 and takes approximately 120 minutes. The buses make a few stops once they reach Oxford, and if you're looking to get off at the main bus station, tell the driver you want to go to Gloucester Green (pronounced "Gloss-ster").

Taxi:

Though we don't recommend it, it is possible to take a standard taxi from the airport to Oxford (or, of course, from Oxford to the airport). It costs approximately £55 to/from Heathrow, and £90 to/from Gatwick, not including tip.

Hire Car:

There are several companies that offer hire cars with fixed rates to get you to and from the airport. These offer similar rates than a standard taxi. If you would like to book these cars in advance, so that someone is waiting at the airport for you, click on the names of the companies to visit their website.

From London

Bus:

The Oxford Tube and the Oxford Espress both leave London's Victoria Station every 12-20 minutes, making stops at Marble Arch, Baker Street, Notting Hill Gate, and Shepherd's Bush before heading to Oxford's Gloucester Green. Tickets cost £12 if you're returning the next day, or £15 if you're returning within 3 months. Travel time is approximately 100 minutes during off-peak times.

Oxford Tube: 01865 772250 Oxford Espress: 01865 785400

Train:

Trains from London leave Paddington every half hour, costing around £16.70 for a single trip, and takes approximately one hour. For national rail inquiries, call 08457 48 49 50 or visit their website. Note: cheap tickets can be purchased in advance for as little as £10 return. Check the website of contact National Rail for details.

Car:

Take the M25 to the M40. Get off at the A40 towards Oxford. Follow signs to the ring road. At the third roundabout, take your first left onto Woodstock Road (towards the city center). We strongly advise using the Park and Ride system as parking in Oxford is difficult and expensive.

Parking in Oxford

If you are not staying at a hotel, you will need to park the car - bring plenty of change because parking in Oxford is expensive, and the traffic cops are diligent and omnipresent. If you want to save yourself some money and a lot of grief, we recommend using one of the many park and ride's on the outskirts of the city.

Parking Lots:

  • Westgate Shopping Centre
    Multi-storey car park. Parking starts at £1.80 for up to one hour.

  • Gloucester Green
    Underground parking. Limited spaces. Parking starts at £2.30 for up to one hour. Enter from Beaumont Street.

  • St. Clements'
    Outdoor parking lot. Parking starts at £0.50 for up to one hour.

  • Worcester Street
    Outdoor parking lot. Parking starts at £1.80 for up to one hour. Enter from Park End Street.

  • Ferry Pool (Summertown)
    Outdoor parking lot. Parking starts at £0.70 for up to two hours. Enter from Marston Ferry Road.

  • Summertown
    Outdoor parking lot. Parking starts at £0.70 for up to two hours. Enter from Banbury Road.

  • Overnight Parking - Secure overnight parking can be arranged at Gloucester Green Underground Car Park at a charge of £5 in addition to the normal tariff. This means that a stay of 24 hours would typically cost £22, although this is reduced if the stay is for overnight but for less than the full 24 hours. In order to take advantage of this facility, please contact the Enforcement Office during office hours (01865 794307). Out of hours, please seek the assistance of the Car Park Officer on duty at Gloucester Green Car Park.

Street Parking (meters):

  • St. Giles'

  • Broad Street

  • Parks Road

  • Beaumont Street

Park & Ride:

Park your car for 60p (free at Thornhill & Water Eaton), ride the bus to the city for £2.00 return (£1.60 single). Up to three accompanied children under 16 ride free.

  • Peartree (to the north, off the A34)

  • Redbridge (to the south, off the A4142)

  • Seacourt (to the west, off the A34)

  • Thornhill (to the east, off the A40)

  • Water Eaton (to the north of Oxford City - Banbury Road) (no Sunday services)

Please note that there is no overnight security at the Oxford Park & Rides. Security staff leave Pear Tree, Seacourt and Redbridge at 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 11:15pm on weekdays. Security staff leave Water Eaton and Thornhill at 6:45 on Saturday and Sunday, and 11:30pm on weekdays. There were recent arson attacks at the Pear Tree Park & Ride in the early morning hours when staff were not present. We do not recommend leaving your car overnight at the Park & Rides. They are intended for commuters only.

RingGo mobile phone parking system:

A new mobile phone parking system was launched in Oxford on 12 May 2008 that enables people to pay for parking in off-street car parks via their mobile phone. If your time is running low while you're out shopping, you can call to top it up without returning to the car park.

RingGo will operate at Gloucester Green, Worcester Street, Oxpens, Abbey Place, St Clements, Ferry Pool in Summertown, Old High Street in Headington, St Leonard's Road, Headington, and Union Street as well as the rail station.

Oxford drivers should call 01865 898900 to pay for their stay.

For more information about RingGo, including how to register, visit the Oxford City Council's website.