SYP Oxford

COACHES BETWEEN LONDON AND OXFORD

The Oxford Tube and Oxford Espress (X90) run services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every 10 minutes during peak time. Cheaper than the train, especially for students, but don’t forget the likely cost of Tube travel in London. In Oxford the bus stops are at Gloucester Green (central Oxford), Brookes (Gipsy Lane) and Headington. In London they are at Victoria coach station bay 10 (Oxford Espress), Grosvenor Gardens opposite Victoria station, top of Park Lane at Marble Arch, Baker Street/Gloucester Place (Oxford Espress), Notting Hill Gate (Oxford Tube) and outside the Kensington Hilton in Shepherds Bush (Oxford Tube). Both services also stop outside Hillingdon rail and Underground station.

The Espress and Tube coaches charge £13 for an adult return and £10 for a student return. No need to book – pay the driver on board. Travel time is 70–110 minutes.

A cheaper alternative between London and Oxford

The Megabus is the cheapest way to travel – a return ticket is only £3. Inevitably there are a few downsides. You have to book in advance online and specify the exact bus you will catch. The buses are far less frequent with fewer and perhaps less handy stops: Gloucester Green and Marston in Oxford and Buckingham Palace Street (near Victoria Coach station) in London. The service used to use bumpy buses but now has the Oxford Tube’s old coaches for a smoother ride. Certainly an option worth looking into.

Coach travel to Oxford from other locations

Most national coach services terminate at Gloucester Green bus and coach station, in the city centre. There should be a taxi rank in the Market Square, right next to the coach station, or it’s a two-minute walk to reach the bus stops for buses to Brookes. Turn left out of Gloucester Green on to George Street. Then take the first right on to New Inn Hall Street. Walk all the way down, and turn left on to Queen Street. You’ve reached the bus stops.

BY TRAIN

Oxford’s train station is on a major route between the south and north so travelling by train is likely to be a viable option. If travelling between Oxford and London there are departures up to every half an hour to/from Paddington. If you need to use London transport more than twice a combined train ticket and Travelcard offers the best value.

Check the timetables – some trains stop at many small stations en-route and make the journey as long as by bus whereas the more direct trains take an hour if there are no delays.

A London–Oxford off-peak return ticket costs £10.55 with Young Person's Railcard, £16 without.

To reach the city centre either take a bus or a ten-minute walk. For the latter, cross straight over the road when you come out of the station forecourt, turning left on to Park End Street. Continuing in a straight line takes you onto New Road then Queen Street, one of the main streets which also has buses to Brookes.

BY CAR

From the southeast come off the M40 at J8, following the signs for Oxford along the A40. The London Road crosses Oxford’s ring road at Headington and continues into the city centre. From the south drive off the A34 for Oxford, Cowley and Littlemore. Turn right at the roundabout then left at the next for the city centre and Redbridge park and ride. From the west the A420 takes you directly into Oxford via Botley and Seacourt park and ride. From the north come off the M40 at J8 (not J9 as signposted) and follow signs for Oxford along the A40, taking you through Headington and Thornhill park and ride towards the city.

Oxford’s parking is expensive and many roads are for permit holders only. In many cases the Park and Ride is cheaper and more convenient.

Park and Ride

If you followed the directions above you will come across Thornhill, Redbridge or Seacourt park and ride. Note that for Oxford Brookes, the Thornhill site (at Headington) is most convenient and has free parking (others charge 60p). All buses costs £1.90 return. See parkandride.net for clear and useful information.

Driving all the way

For central Oxford and Jericho free parking is available on St Giles, Broad Street and nearby roads after 6.30pm (all day Sundays). On or before that time it’s £1.50 per hour for a maximum of two hours. Ticket inspectors are very strict. The Westgate Centre provides longer-stay parking as do, a mile to the east of the city, St Clements and Cowley Road car parks. Limited free evening parking is also available in Jericho and further northwards, but be prepared for frustration and a long walk.

For events at Oxford Brookes we strongly advise you to use the Thornhill park and ride (Headington). Otherwise, Cheney Lane (behind the main Brookes site) may have a space or two. Slightly futher away, but still walkable if you know where you are going, is Marston road (B4150). This runs from London Road (A420) to Marston and parking near to the Somerset pub and newsagent is possible. It’s then 15-20 minutes to Headington Hill up John Garne Way and through Brookes’ Morrel Hall.

More information about the city’s car parks and their prices can be found on the Oxford City Council website.

GETTING TO...