How to get to Oxford | University of Oxford

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How to get to Oxford

This page will help you travel to the city then use our interactive, searchable map of Oxford's colleges, halls, departments, libraries and museums.

From London airports

London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are linked to Oxford by The Airline coach service, which operates a direct frequent service 24 hours a day (tel: +44 (0)1865 785400). It is also possible to travel by train from Heathrow to Oxford via London, and from Gatwick to Oxford via Reading.

London Stansted airport is linked to Oxford by the National Express 757 coach service, running every two hours (tel: +44 (0)8705 747777).

A list of taxi companies, many of which offer a bespoke airport pick-up service, can be found on Oxfordshire's Visitor Information Centre's website. 

By train

A direct service operates between Oxford and London Paddington (approximately every 30 minutes), and between Oxford and Birmingham New Street. Other services operate from the north via Birmingham New Street; from the South via Reading; and from the west via Didcot or Reading. For information contact National Rail Enquiries (tel: +44 (0)8457 484950).

The National Rail website has a number of travel tools available to alert passengers to any changes or disruptions in service, including Train tracker: 0871 2004950 or text 84950 (charges apply).

By coach

Frequent 24-hour direct services connect Oxford with London (peak times every 10-20 minutes).

The X90 service includes Victoria Coach Station, Grosvenor Gardens, Marble Arch, Baker Street/Gloucester Place and Hillingdon (tel: +44 (0)1865 785410).

The Oxford Tube service includes Grosvenor Gardens, Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate, Shepherd's Bush, and Hillingdon (tel: +44 (0)1865 772250).

For information on coaches to other major cities and airports contact National Express (tel: +44 (0)8717 818178). Coaches arrive at Gloucester Green Coach Station in the city centre.

X90: www.x90london.co.uk
Oxford Tube: www.oxfordtube.com
National Express: www.nationalexpress.com

By car

Bristol-OxfordM32-M4-A3485 miles / 137 km1h 30mins
Cardiff-OxfordM4-A420106 miles / 170 km2h 5mins
Dover-OxfordM20-M26-M25-M40-A40146 miles / 235 km2h 44mins
Edinburgh-OxfordA74(M)-A74-M6-M42-M40-A34366 miles / 589 km6h 7mins
Glasgow-OxfordM74-A74(M)-M6-M42-M40-A34364 miles / 586 km5h 38mins
London-OxfordA40-M40-A4060 miles / 96 km1h 47mins
Manchester-OxfordM56-M6-M42-M40-A34170 miles / 273 km3h 20min
Newcastle-OxfordA1-A1(M)-M1-A43-M40-A34267 miles / 430 km5h 4mins
Nottingham-OxfordM1-A43-M40-A34112 miles / 180 km2h 7mins
Southampton-OxfordM3-A3466 miles / 106 km1h 21mins

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

Parking in Oxford

Many Oxford streets are closed to traffic and parking is severely limited. Visitors are encouraged to use the Park and Ride bus services which operate between the city centre and parking areas on the outskirts at Pear Tree, Woodstock Road (north); Water Eaton (north); Seacourt, Botley Road (west); Redbridge, Abingdon Road (south); and Thornhill, London Road (east).

Please note that Thornhill and Seacourt are often full, particularly on University Open Days. We therefore recommend that drivers coming to Oxford 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 Water Eaton.

For information on parking for the disabled in Oxford please see details of Oxford City Council's Blue Badge scheme.

For full details on parking charges: Oxfordshire county council

The Oxford Bus Company runs buses from the following Park and Ride car parks on the outskirts of Oxford:

Redbridge (south) - OX1 4XG (located off the A34 from Abingdon, Didcot and Newbury.)  Approximate capacity is 1250 cars. Take the 300 bus to and from the city centre. 

Water Eaton (north) - OX2 8HA. Approximate capacity is 850 cars. Take the 500 bus to and from the city centre.

Pear Tree (north) - OX2 8JD.  Approximate capacity is 850 cars. Take the 300 bus to and from the city centre.

Both Pear Tree and Water Eaton are accessed from the A40 (from Witney and Cheltenham, the A4260 (from Kidlington), the A34 (from Banbury, Bicester and Northampton) and the M40.

Thornhill (east) - OX3 8DP (located off the A40 from Thame, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, London and the M40.)  Approximate capacity is 850 cars. Take the 400 bus to and from the city centre.

See the Oxford Bus Company website for more information on timetables and fares for Park and Ride buses to the city centre.

Taxis

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

A list of taxi companies can be found on Oxfordshire's Visitor Information Centre website.
Related documents
University buildings map.pdf5.16 MB
Explore the University of Oxford.pdf1.61 MB

More information

Journey planners

Postal Address (for sat nav)

University of Oxford
University Offices
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JD

BUT PLEASE NOTE: The University of Oxford is not a campus university and our colleges, departments and other constituent units are to be found throughout the city of Oxford, rather than on one central site. Departmental and college addresses may be found on individual college and departmental websites.

Ringroad map

Accommodation in Oxford

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