Company Logo - Home Link

London to Oxford by Train and Bus

Updated: July 22, 2023
 By Margaret

This post covers day trips to Oxford from London, including how to get here by bus, train as well as taking an organized guided tour.

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.


WHERE IS OXFORD?

Located 97 km northwest of London, Oxford is roughly 53 miles (85 km) from London.

There are several different ways to get there which won’t take much time.

For most visitors from London, the train is the optimal way to go, as it's inexpensive, reliable, and usually the quickest form of transportation.

60 min by train

London to Oxford by Train

Alternatively, you can go by bus (or drive). This usually takes between 80-120 minutes.

London to Oxford by Bus

Even if you run into traffic, you should still be able to reach your destination in 2 hours at most.


TRAIN FROM LONDON TO OXFORD

If you’re not interested in taking the bus, there are trains that will take you to Oxford.

These trains depart from Paddington Station in London throughout the day, and the journey only takes about an hour on average.

Prices vary depending on dates and times, but you can expect tickets to range from £25 – £35 on average for an adult return ticket.

Depending on when you decide to leave for Oxford, you can expect trains to leave once every 10-15 minutes during busy hours and every 15-30 minutes at quieter times.

You should also plan on traveling during times that aren’t as busy because tickets are usually much cheaper when they have trouble filling the train.

Returning from Oxford to London is just as easy with trains running throughout the day from Oxford Station to London Paddington.

This service runs from about 7 am - 11 pm each day. 

The best way to save money on tickets is to purchase them well ahead of time.

Purchase train tickets to Oxford.


Reviews

Many visitors feel that the train to Oxford is much better than the bus. The biggest advantage of taking the train is that it's quicker.

That being said, some customers prefer paying less for the bus service.

Another advantage of taking the coach is that there are several bus stops in Oxford, but only one train stop.


BUS FROM LONDON TO OXFORD

If you don’t feel like driving to Oxford, there are a few very good bus services you may want to consider instead.

Each service runs quite frequently, so it’s pretty easy to use throughout the day.

We list the 3 top companies below, but you can do a quick search here (NOTE: The default setting is set to train. Switch to bus).

Prices range from £5-£10 for a one-way ticket and £11-£15 for a return ticket.

On average, the bus will take about 1 ½ hours to reach Oxford, with a total travel time of 3 hours to and from the city.


Reviews

Travelers who use a bus/coach to visit Oxford indicate that each of these services is fairly reliable.

For the most part, there are very few complaints about the prices or the amount of time it takes to get there.

That being said, some customers suggest that you should prepare for a slightly longer trip depending on how far into Oxford you plan to travel.

If you’re planning to get off at the last stop, chances are it will take more time than the 1 ½ - 2 hours listed by each major company.


Oxford Express

Also known as the X90, this line is a bit more affordable than some of the other services.

They offer departures every 30 minutes throughout the entire day.

There are 5 stops where you can get on and the journey will take anywhere from 1 ½ - 2 hours depending on traffic.

  • Adult Prices: £14/One Way | £17/Return
  • Senior Prices: £11/One Way | £13/Return
  • Youth Prices: £11/One Way | £13/Return
  • Child Prices: £11/One Way | £13/Return
  • Purchase tickets here.

Oxford Tube

Bus from London to Oxford

This is one of the most popular services, but it’s also the most expensive.

They offer a bus to Oxford once every 10-15 minutes, 24 hours a day.

There are a total of 5 designated stops in London and the trip will take about 100 minutes to complete.

  • Adult Prices: £11/One Way | £17/Return
  • Student Prices: £10/One Way | £15/Return
  • Youth Prices: £10/One Way | £15/Return
  • Under 16 Prices: £4/One Way | £6.50/Return
  • Over 60 Prices: £10/One Way | £15/Return

Megabus

Megabus

This company offers some of the cheapest tickets to Oxford, but their prices are based on when you choose to go.

If you purchase your ticket at least a few days ahead of time, you should be able to get the best prices.

Megabus offers up to 296 trips per day and the fastest bus will get you to Oxford in as little as an hour.

Ticket prices aren’t based on age, so all you have to do is plan ahead to get tickets for as little as £5 per person. Search for tickets.


ORGANIZED TOURS FROM LONDON

There are many organized tours of Oxford that begin and end from London. Below are 2 options that we go into detail on.

However, there are many more that focus on or include Oxford, in fact, too many to list here. Click here to see the full list of options..
Many of these options will also include places like Cambridge, Warwick Castle, Stratford, Stonehenge, Windsor, the Cotswolds, and other places.

And of course, you could just visit on your own. There are numerous guided and self-guided tours that start in Oxford


Harry Potter Oxford Day Tour

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series, this may be one of the best tour options in London.

In addition to a studio tour which includes a lot of great sets from the movies, you will also have the opportunity to go on a day trip to Oxford and enjoy a tour of several major filming locations that Warner Bros used for the Harry Potter movies.

  • Tickets: £109/Adults | £105/Children
  • Availability: Saturday - Wednesday at 8 am
  • Duration: One Day
  • Food and drink not included
  • Purchase or learn more.

This day tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).

Some guests feel that the experience is brilliant from start to finish, indicating that their tour guide is very knowledgeable about Oxford and the Harry Potter films.

Most customers are impressed with the amount of information they learn about the movies and the opportunity to see where it was made.


WHY VISIT OXFORD?

Known throughout the world as one of the most historic and beautiful sites on earth, Oxford is an easy day-trip away from London via a 'London to Oxford train'.

The Oxford city centre, with its monuments, colleges, parks, and museums, caters to any taste, answering the question of 'what to do in Oxford' with a myriad of options that promise fun for everyone – no matter what their interests!

Boarding 'trains to Oxford' provides a seamless journey from the bustling city of London to the historic charm of Oxford, making this trip a must for every travel itinerary.

There are several different things to see and do in the area, including some of the following attractions:

  • Oxford University
  • Oxford Castle
  • Carfax Tower
  • Harry Potter Filming Locations
  • Downton Abbey Filming Locations
  • Influential Architecture
  • The Ultimate Picture Palace
  • Museum of Natural History
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Ashmolean Museum
  • And more!

If you’re looking for additional information about these locations and many others in the area, make sure to read our post about 12 reasons to visit Oxford.

What is the cheapest way to get to Oxford from London?

The cheapest way to get to Oxford from London is likely by booking advance tickets for a train journey from London Paddington Station. Cheap train tickets often have limited availability, so it's best to book train tickets early.

What is the easiest way to get to Oxford from London?

The easiest way to get to Oxford from London is by public transport, specifically the Great Western Railway (GWR) direct services from London Paddington to Oxford Station.

What are off-peak times for traveling from London to Oxford?

Off-peak times for traveling from London to Oxford are typically outside the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays, and all day on weekends, providing flexibility for passengers.

What is the main train station in Oxford?

The main train station in Oxford is Oxford Station, centrally located near the Oxford City Centre for easy access.

What time does the Oxford train station close?

The closing time of Oxford train station varies, so it's recommended to check the FAQs or official site for the most accurate information.

What is the last train from London to Oxford?

The last train from London to Oxford typically departs from London Paddington in the late evening, but the exact time can vary, so passengers should check the daily departures.

What is the last train from Oxford to London?

The last train from Oxford to London also tends to depart in the late evening. For a comfortable journey, passengers can consider options like first-class or seat reservations.


GPS-Led Audio Tour

We are happy to provide you with an excellent guided tour that you could take any time you wish. This tour starts from the main train station, so it's perfect for day-trippers coming to Oxford by train.

The app is free to download and the tour costs just £2. 

Here is how it works:

  1. Purchase your tour online.
  2. Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf and embeddable Google Map.
  3. Enjoy the tour(s).

Here's a sample.


RELATED POSTS

About The Author

Margaret

An American simply by accident of birth, Margaret moved to London over 16 years ago and hasn’t looked back since! With a keen interest in History – and a BA degree to match – Margaret prides herself on her knowledge of the amazing city she calls home and she's been guiding here now for nearly a decade. Social history is her real expertise, with sound understanding of the day-to-day lives of Londoners over the past centuries. Read More...
Updated: July 22nd, 2023
Back to Top
cross