Meet and Greet
The Meet and Greet service welcomes students arriving in September at Heathrow Airport. Representatives from the University will be on hand to guide you to Oxford and explain how to get to your college/accommodation once in Oxford, as well as being able to help with any questions you may have about your first few days.
The service will be available from Saturday 28 September 2013 to Sunday 6 October 2013 from 8.00am to 8.00pm each day.
Click here to register for the meet and greet programme.
Please note that this online registration form should also be used to sign-up for our Orientation Programmes, for which you will need the Orientation registration code provided by your college in May/June. The Meet and Greet service has been scheduled to complement the Orientation Programme.
Frequently asked questions about the service
Should I check my arrival date and accommodation with my college or the University accommodation office?
Yes, you must check with your college first to ensure that your accommodation will be available before booking your flight if you are staying in college accommodation. If you are not staying in college accommodation you should also let the college know you are arriving early so they know the dates you will be present in Oxford.
If you are staying in accommodation arranged by the University Accommodation office then you should check with them that you can arrive early before booking your flight. You will also need to make sure that a key will be available at the time you will be arriving in Oxford, and find out where you can collect it.
Where will you meet me at Heathrow?
At Heathrow Airport we will meet you in the Central Bus Station waiting area.
From Terminal 1 or 3: follow the signs to the Central Bus Station, take the lift up to the bus station and you will arrive in the waiting area.
From Terminal 4: When you arrive at the terminal follow the signs to the trains and take the free Heathrow Express train service that takes you to ‘Heathrow Central’ a three minute train journey, then follow the signs to the Central Bus Station and take the lift up to the bus station and you will arrive in the waiting area.
From Terminal 5: There is a direct bus service that goes to Oxford via the Central Bus Station from Terminal 5. If you chose you may get on this bus at the terminal but we will not be able to meet you. If you do require assistance then take the free Heathrow Express train (a three- minute train journey) to Terminals 1 and 3 (‘Heathrow Central’) and then make your way to the Central Bus Station.
How will you help me on arrival at Heathrow?
The student helpers will meet you at the Central Bus Station in Heathrow Airport and explain how to get to Oxford on the public bus service. The airline bus service to Oxford is a very comfortable bus that includes free WIFI internet access and a plug socket at the seat to charge your laptop or phone - don't forget your plug adaptor from home and then you can let your family and friends know you arrived safely in the UK. There is also an onboard toilet on the bus service.
The student helpers can assist you or offer advice if you have encountered any problems on arriving or if you have any concerns about accommodation or other matters regarding settling into life at Oxford. The student helpers cannot carry your luggage but they will try to assist you as much as possible.
How much does the service cost?
There is no charge for this service, but you will need to pay for the bus ticket from Heathrow to Oxford which costs £23 one way or £29 return (valid for 3 months). You can buy a ticket in the Central Bus Station at Heathrow, or pay the driver in cash when you get on the bus in Pounds, Euros or US dollars.
A taxi from the bus station to your college/accommodation will cost you about £5 to £10 and the easiest place to get a taxi is from the market square behind the Gloucester Green Bus Station (the final stop for the airline bus service).
What will happen when I get to Oxford?
We will explain at Heathrow which stop to get off the bus and how to get a taxi to your accommodation. It is sometimes easier to get a taxi from Gloucester Green Bus Station (the final stop).
What happens if I cannot arrive during the times above?
Unfortunately, we cannot be at Heathrow Airport to welcome you at other times. Although it is relatively easy to find your way to Oxford if you follow the directions in the Airport to the Central Bus Station and take the ‘airline’ public bus service to Oxford. The last stop on the bus is Gloucester Green Bus station and there are taxis available from here to take you to your college/accommodation.
Journey time: 100 minutes from Heathrow to Oxford depending on the traffic.
First and last service: the first service is at 0.05am and the last service is at 11.10pm; or 5.50am and 11.20pm respectively from Terminal 5.
Frequency of service: during the day i.e. 8am to 8pm there is a bus every 30 minutes at other times there are one or two buses an hour.
Cost of service: one way ticket is £23, pay in cash (Pounds, Euros or US Dollars) or by credit or debit card.
Where to get off the bus: In Oxford the last stop is Gloucester Green Bus Station, the stop before is the High Street/Queen’s Lane which may be more appropriate if your college is near the High Street.
Taxis: If you get off at Gloucester Green, there are usually plenty of taxis waiting to take you to your college/accommodation. A short taxi ride to your college or accommodation would cost £7 to £10.
We would recommend that you plan to arrive in Oxford during normal working hours as it will be easier to catch a coach to Oxford and, if necessary, a taxi from the Bus Station to your college/accommodation.
For more information about times and prices please see the airline bus service website.
