How to get to Oxford

This page will help you travel to and around the city of Oxford.

Oxford is not a campus university, so once you're here you can use our interactive, searchable map of Oxford's colleges, halls, departments, libraries and museums to find your way around or download our interactive and accessible Explore Oxford University Map. You can also use Google Maps to find your way around Oxford on foot or using public transport.

From London airports

From London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, take The Airline coach service, which runs 24 hours a day. You can also get to Oxford by train from Heathrow via London, and from Gatwick via Reading.

From London Stansted airport, take the Stansted Express train service to London Liverpool Street and then take the tube to either Paddington or Marylebone for direct trains to Oxford. Alternatively there is a National Express 737 coach service.

Trains

Direct services run from London Paddington (serving Oxford station) and London Marylebone (serving Oxford and Oxford Parkway stations). Other services operate from the north via Birmingham New Street; from the south via Reading; and from the west via Didcot or Reading.

For details and to plan your journey, see contact National Rail Enquiries.

Oxford Railway Station is a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Oxford. Please use Google Maps or our interactive map to find your way from the station to the part of the University you are visiting.

Coaches

The Oxford Tube offers a direct service between Oxford and London, running a frequent timetable on a virtually 24-hour basis, Monday to Sunday. 

For information on coaches from other major cities and airports, contact National Express.

The central coach station is at Gloucester Green in the city centre. Please use Google Maps or our interactive map to find your way from the station to the part of the University you are visiting.

Parking in Oxford

Many Oxford streets are closed to traffic and parking is severely limited. Visitors are encouraged to use the five Park and Ride bus services.

Please refer to Oxfordshire County Council's up-to-date traffic information for details of all local road works and any disruptions likely to delay your journey.

Park and Ride

There are five Park and Ride sites which serve Oxford City Centre.

  • Oxford Parkway (north). For satnav use OX2 8HA.  Take the Stagecoach 7 bus to and from the city centre.
  • Pear Tree (north). For satnav use OX2 8JZ.  Take the 300 bus to and from the city centre.
  • Redbridge (south). For satnav use OX1 4XG.  Take the 300 bus to and from the city centre. 
  • Thornhill (east). For satnav use OX3 8DP.  Take the 400 bus to and from the city centre.
  • Seacourt (west). For satnav use OX2 0HP.  Take the 400 bus to and from the city centre.

Please note that Thornhill and Seacourt are often full, particularly on University Open Days. We recommend that drivers coming from the east (including London), the south and the west use the Redbridge Park and Ride, while drivers arriving from the north can choose between Pear Tree and Oxford Parkway.

The Oxford Bus Company has information on Park and Ride services 300 and 400. The latest timetable for Stagecoach 7 is available here.

Oxford City Council has further information on Park and Ride sites.

Parking in Oxford city centre

Parking in Oxford city centre is limited and can be expensive. For information on car parks, on-street parking and costs of parking, see Oxfordshire County Council's website.

For information on parking in Oxford for people with disabilities, please see Oxford City Council's Blue Badge scheme.

Taxis

There are taxi ranks at Oxford Railway Station, Gloucester Green Coach Station and St Giles' in the city centre.

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