Travel around Oxfordshire
Travel to Oxford
Arriving by Air:
London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports: the Oxford Bus Company's Airline service operates 24/7. The LHR (formerly X70) runs to Heathrow Central Bus Station (journey time approx 100 minutes) and Terminal 5 (journey time approx 80 minutes). The LGW service (formerly X80) to Gatwick's North and South terminals takes about 2.5 hours.
London Stansted and Luton airports are linked by the National Express 737 bus service
Taxis and Car Hire firms also provide a bespoke airport transfer service. Birmingham airport is within one and a half hour transfer by car and offers European, International and local routes. Train connections to Oxford from Birmingham airport are excellent with regular fast services available.
London Oxford Airport (OXF) is located just 8 km north of the city centre, near Kidlington and Woodstock. Weekly passenger services operate to and from Jersey in summer and regular year-round scheduled flights are planned to commence to cities including Edinburgh, Dublin and Amsterdam. The airport is one of London's key private jet gateways. Ad-hoc charter and conference flights from short and medium-haul destinations can be arranged to/from London Oxford Airport on aircraft up to 120-seat capacity (contact the Airport on +44 (0) 1865 290720). A bus service connects Oxford Centre and rail services to the airport, taxis are widely available and private transfers can be arranged.
Arriving by Road: the M40 and M4 + A34 provide easy access by car from London, leaving the M40 at Junction 8.
The M40 links Birmingham to Oxford from the north, leaving at Junction 9.
Parking in Oxford is limited so most day visitors take advantage of the Park and Ride system which was pioneered in Oxford. All five Park and Ride sites are clearly signposted from the Oxford Ring Road. They operate 7 days per week (excluding Sunday at Water Eaton). The Pear Tree, Seacourt and Thornhill sites serve evening visitors, with buses running until 11.30 pm Mon-Sat). All Park and Ride buses are equipped to take wheelchairs and baby buggies/pushchairs.
The approach roads to Oxford's Ring Road are
From Banbury (north): A4260 - use Water Eaton Park and Ride
From Bicester (north-east): A34 - use Water Eaton Park and Ride
From Newbury (south): A34 - use Redbridge Park and Ride
From Stratford/Woodstock (north):A44 - use Pear Tree Park and Ride
From Cheltenham/Burford/Cotswolds (west): A40 - use Pear Tree Park and Ride
From London (east): M40/A40: use Thornhill Park and Ride
After 10.00am you are most likely to find spaces at Water Eaton and Redbridge Park & Rides.
Please be aware of the Bus lane enforcement in Oxford which restricts vehicles driving through the city centre. There are bus lane camera enforcement zones and four city centre bus gates with different restrictions.
The Oxford Espress X90 service (all day and most of the night)
The Oxford Tube (24/7)
Or along the Oxford Canal by narrow boat. Or by canoe or punt. Some short stay moorings are available.
Travel in Oxford
Oxford Bus Company provides many services in Oxford city, including the Park and Rides. For real time information on buses in Oxford use Oxontime which can also text your mobile. Stagecoach also provides bus services within the city and county.
As the city centre is compact you also have the option of a rickshaw or your own feet!
Taxis operate from taxi ranks at Oxford Station, St Giles and Gloucester Green. Hackney cabs (like London Black Cabs) can be hailed in the street.
The City Sightseeing Bus is a useful way to get around the city and learn something of its history at the same time. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours, so you can hop and off all day.
Travelling round Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire's towns and villages are served by a network of bus services, almost all being wheelchair and baby buggy accessible, and some trains. You can reach most parts of Oxfordshire by public transport (bus or train), some by water, and almost all by car, bike or foot.
Travelling by Public Transport: Traveline South East provides journey planning and timetables for public transport in the south east of England, including London.
Thames Travel brings in passengers from Reading, Henley and Wallingford.
Arriva services Wheatley and Aylesbury.
A list of bus routes and maps can be downloaded from Oxfordshire County Council's website.
Travelling by train: the Cotswold Line runs through Oxford to Long Hanborough, Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood and on to Worcester. The line to Leamington Spa services villages to the north such as Tackley and Lower Heyford as well as Banbury. The Bicester line takes in the beautiful village of Islip and the line to Didcot allows access to Radley, Appleford, Swindon and Reading.
For help and bookings please use the Red Spotted Hanky tool on the left of the screen.
Oxfordshire's Public Transport map and guide is available from Tourist Information Centres in Oxfordshire. It can be obtained by post from Oxfordshire County Council Public Transport Services, Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, Oxford OX1 1NE tel +44(0)1865 815700
The Plusbus ticket gives you unlimited travel on most buses in certain towns at the start or end of your rail journey.
Travelling by bike: enables you to stop and enjoy attractions, scenery and refreshments as and when you wish. It's probably the very best way to see the Cotswolds. Most of Oxfordshire is flattish, with just a few hills to provide interest. The OS Landranger 1:50,000 maps are excellent: 164 (Oxford); 174,175, 165,152,151 and 163 for the other parts of Oxfordshire. Borrow them from your local library? The Goldeneye Cotswold map is handy for touring by bike or car- it tells you what's worth a visit.
Walking: choose between the Landranger and the Explorer (1:25,000) OS maps.
Explorer 180 covers Oxford, Witney and Woodstock.
Minibus tours: are another excellent way of getting about and seeing the countryside.
