The Oxford classic
Punting without
the wobble.
Choose a Cherwell punt, a Thames boat or a passenger cruise, with launch points, current hire examples and a little help for beginners.
At a glance
- Cherwell launches
- Magdalen Bridge Boathouse or Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Road.
- Thames departure
- Salter’s boat hire and public trips: Folly Bridge.
- Season
- Operator-specific: Magdalen lists February–November, weather permitting; Cherwell Boathouse advertised an 18 October 2026 season end; Salter’s 40-minute cruise lists April–September.
- Book
- Confirm the actual sailing or hire date, total group price and cancellation terms; autumn availability is limited.
Choose a Cherwell punt for a small-group outing with one person steering, or a chauffeured punt when everyone wants a seat. A Thames passenger cruise removes the work, but follows a timetable and has a shorter advertised season. Compare the total group cost and launch point before booking.
More about this guide
Magdalen Bridge is beside the High Street. Cherwell Boathouse is farther north at 50 Bardwell Road, while Thames trips leave from Folly Bridge. Save the address of your chosen operator, as they cover different stretches of river.
For autumn visits, check availability before travelling: when checked on 18 October 2026, Cherwell Boathouse advertised its season ending that day, Magdalen Bridge listed weather-dependent hire through November, and Salter’s 40-minute cruise was advertised for April–September.
Salter’s Steamers is our featured Thames partner below. The Cherwell operators are included so you can compare outings.
Featured partner · Salter’s Steamers
Oxford from the Thames.
Family-run Salter’s has operated in Oxford since 1858. From Folly Bridge, choose seasonal passenger trips or hire a punt, rowing boat or motorboat.
A public cruise leaves everyone free to watch the meadow and rowing clubs. Check sailing dates and boarding arrangements before booking.
- Family-run in Oxford since 1858
- Public trips and private charters
- Punts, rowing boats and motorboats
- Central departure from Folly Bridge
Choose your boat
A punt, a rowboat
or a seat with a view.
A seat with a view
A seasonal Thames cruise
Salter’s Oxford 40-minute cruise goes from Folly Bridge towards Iffley Lock and back, passing meadows and rowing clubs. Its published fare is £16 per adult and £11 per child, with under-threes free. You can sit back for the 40-minute trip without steering. Sailings are advertised for April–September, so check whether a trip is running before booking an autumn visit.Check operator details →
The classic punt
Hire on the Cherwell
Magdalen Bridge lists £35 per hour for a punt holding up to five people. Cherwell Boathouse lists £25 on weekdays or £27 at weekends, holding six including the punter. These are boat-hire prices: a couple pays the same boat total as a full group. Choose by starting point as well as price, and allow time for a demonstration. To get between the northern and central stretches, you have to move the punt overland on rollers. Ask the hire team about this before planning to travel between the two in an hour.Magdalen Bridge hire and booking →Compare Cherwell Boathouse hire
Take the helm
Thames hire from Folly Bridge
Salter’s Thames punts hold up to five and cost £25 per hour on weekdays or £30 at weekends. Rowing boats hold four at the same hourly rates. Motorboats have separate tariffs. The operator requires someone aged 18-plus and photo ID. Its published terms allow one postponement with 24 hours’ notice and say cancellations are not refunded. Before paying, ask how those terms apply to your ticket and to cancellations caused by weather.Check operator details →
Everyone seated
Compare a chauffeured punt with a charter
Magdalen Bridge advertises a chauffeured punt at £50 for 30 minutes for up to four passengers. Four passengers would pay £12.50 each. For two, the total is still £50. It suits a short, private outing without learning the pole. For a larger celebration, ask Salter’s for a private-charter quote. Confirm the boat, capacity, boarding point and cancellation terms.Magdalen Bridge chauffeured punts →Salter’s private charter enquiries
Before you launch
Shoes, layers and the briefing
Wear secure, flat shoes and bring a layer. Follow the hire team’s lifejacket, weather and route advice. If boats aren’t available, a riverside walk is another way to enjoy the setting.Check operator details →
Editor’s note
Choose the outing before you book.
Prices above were checked against the operators’ published pages on 18 October 2026. Compare the same group size and duration, allowing for minimum hire, late-return charges and deposits. Published prices don’t mean a boat is available on your date.
Oxford City Guide works with Salter’s Steamers, which explains their prominent feature. Operator details and alternatives are linked for comparison.
Questions & Advice
Frequently asked questions
before you go.
How much does punting cost in Oxford?
Published prices checked on 18 October 2026: Magdalen Bridge £35 per boat/hour, up to five people; Cherwell Boathouse £25 weekdays/£27 weekends per boat/hour, up to six including the punter; Salter’s Thames punts £25 weekdays/£30 weekends per boat/hour, up to five. Magdalen’s chauffeured punt is £50 per 30 minutes for up to four passengers. These are group totals, not per-person fares. Ask about availability and any additional charges before booking.
Should I choose self-hire or chauffeured punting?
With self-hire, someone in your group learns to balance and steer. Book a chauffeur if everyone would rather sit back and watch the riverbanks. Confirm passenger capacity when booking.
Where can you hire punts in Oxford?
Magdalen Bridge on the central Cherwell, Cherwell Boathouse at 50 Bardwell Road on the northern Cherwell, or Salter’s at Folly Bridge on the Thames.
Can I punt in Oxford in autumn or winter?
Do not assume every operator is open. Magdalen Bridge publishes weather-dependent hire from February through November. Cherwell Boathouse advertised its 2026 season ending on 18 October when checked that day. Salter’s advertises Easter–October self-drive motorboat hire and April–September 40-minute cruises. Ask about your date and water conditions before travelling. Keep a riverside walk or museum in mind if boats aren’t running.
Is punting difficult for beginners?
Balance and steering take practice. Ask for a demonstration and follow the briefing: depth and flow vary. A chauffeured punt lets you leave the pole to someone experienced.
Know before you go
The practical bit.
- Cherwell launches
- Magdalen Bridge Boathouse or Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Road.
- Thames departure
- Salter’s boat hire and public trips: Folly Bridge.
- Season
- Operator-specific: Magdalen lists February–November, weather permitting; Cherwell Boathouse advertised an 18 October 2026 season end; Salter’s 40-minute cruise lists April–September.
- Book
- Confirm the actual sailing or hire date, total group price and cancellation terms; autumn availability is limited.
Sources & visitor information 7 sources
We use the linked sources for practical visitor details. Each date shows when we checked a source. Confirm opening times, prices and booking arrangements before you travel.
- Magdalen Bridge hire, prices and chauffeured punts Source checked 18 Oct 2026
- Cherwell Boathouse hire, capacity and advice Source checked 18 Oct 2026
- Salter’s boat hire, prices and requirements (opens in a new tab)Source checked 18 Oct 2026
- Salter’s seasonal passenger trips (opens in a new tab)Source checked 18 Oct 2026
- Salter’s family history (opens in a new tab)Source checked 12 Oct 2026
- Salter’s private charter enquiries (opens in a new tab)Source checked 12 Oct 2026
- Oxford City Council waterways guide Source checked 12 Oct 2026
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