Oxford is broadly a well connected city, particularly if you are travelling from London. Having said this, due to the significant number of international delegates this year, we recognise the increased need for comprehensive travel instructions. For this reason, we have attached below key information on the modes of transport, routes, and locations most delegates will be travelling between to get to Oxford.
Keep an eye on relevant updates, particularly to Oxford Rail Station, as there are ongoing works that may alter core services. If there is a significant change or limitation to transport in the run up to conference, all delegates will be informed such that they can alter plans accordingly. It is important to plan your journeys ahead in case of circumstances out of your control, and be wary of any developments.
Rail Travel
From London
The two options for travelling to Oxford from London via train are to either get a First Great Western train from London Paddington to Oxford (55 minutes) or to get a Chiltern Railways service from Marylebone (1 hour 20 minutes). A standard (non peak-time) service from Paddington to Oxford is £47.20, Whereas services from Marylebone cost £30.80.
Paddington Station is accessible by the Circle line, District line, Bakerloo Line, Elizabeth line and Hammersmith & City Tube lines. Conversely, Marylebone is only served by the Bakerloo line, making it much more difficult to transit to. Both are served by a plethora of buses.
There are significant railway works being undertaken at Oxford station at the moment, meaning services could be delayed or impeded completely; make sure to check updates online prior to your date of travel, as you may have to alter your plans in accordance. If there is a serious issue with services in the run up to conference, delegates will be notified.
Oxford is also directly accessible by train (Crosscountry service) from Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, Southampton, Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Coventry. Train rates vary significantly and make sure to check the following website: https://www.thetrainline.com/farefinder to ensure your tickets are as cheap as possible.
From London Heathrow
Heathrow is a large airport with multiple terminals, but each are thankfully well served by rail links. You can get a Picadilly line service from terminals 2,3,4, and 5, Elizabeth line service from 2, 3 and 4, and a Heathrow express service from terminals 2, 3, and 5. Heathrow express trains run non-stop all the way to Paddington, whereas Picaddily & Elizabeth line services stop at commuter stations. The best way to connect to Oxford is to go to Paddington, before getting a direct service to Oxford. Another option is to switch at Hayes & Harlington, head to Reading, and then get a service to Oxford; though this is significantly more time consuming.
From London Gatwick
Gatwick is slightly less well connected and is less accessible from Oxford than Heathrow. Gatwick has multiple Gatwick express services which take you directly into London Victoria, as well as an hourly Great Western Railway service that takes you to Reading. If you get the train to Reading, you will need to change there and get a Cross country or First Great Western service to Oxford. If you get the train to London Victoria you will need to get a circle line station to Paddington, before getting a First Great Western service to Oxford. The Reading option is slightly quicker (2hr 15 mins), than the London option (3hrs).
From London Stansted
Stansted is not well connected to Oxford. It is only served by Stansted express and Greater Anglia services that terminate at London Liverpool Street. If you are travelling from here, you will need to change at London Liverpool Street, get an Elizabeth or Circle Line service into Paddington, and then get a service to Oxford. Depending on connections, this can take anywhere between 2hrs 15 mins to well over 3hrs in practice.
Other Airports
Birmingham intl. airport has a direct rail connection to Oxford (Crosscountry) going toward Bournemouth, as does Southampton (Crosscountry) going towards Manchester. In some cases, particularly for Birmingham, it may be a quicker option than travelling from a London airport; make sure you check this station timetable, to ascertain the schedule for the rail services you require. For other airports, please utilise relevant websites, such as Trainline to get an overview of recommended routes.
Coach Travel
From London
Oxford Tube Runs up to EVERY 10 minutes and offers a day and night service. Can be caught from various locations in Central London, including Victoria, Marble Arch, Notting Hill, and Shepherds bush. Marble arch coach stop is a short walk from Oxford circus tube station. Out of peak times, a single is £15, and the journey time is roughly 1hr 40 mins
National Express Runs from Victoria coach station. Tickets cost more unless booked in advance, but fares can be as little as £16.20, journey time 1hr 40 mins.
From London Heathrow
National Express services run throughout the day and night, from Heathrow airport to Oxford Bus Station. Fares start at £23 one-way, and the journey time is roughly 1hr 30 minutes
The Airline services run more often than hourly from Heathrow, costing roughly £30 one-way, and taking about 1hr 15 – 1hr 30 mins.
From London Gatwick
The Airline run services between Gatwick Airport and Oxford multiple times a day, with these services also stopping at Heathrow on the way, lengthening the journey. Tickets cost around £25, and the journey time is 2 h 50 mins.
National Express run services between Gatwick and Oxford, but make sure to check that they are terminating at Gloucester Green bus station; otherwise you may end up on the edge of town having to get a ‘Park and Ride’ service from Thornhill P & R. Services start at £21 when booked in advance, and at best services can take as little as 1h 30 mins.
Rest of UK
Oxford is well served by coaches, and National Express and Flixbus operate services from most major cities, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. Make sure to check in advance whether the city you are transiting from has services to Oxford, and when these services are scheduled.
Journey time is very variable and depends on whether the coach is a stopping service (meaning the coach stops in multiple cities en-route) or a direct service meaning the coach generally goes directly to Oxford without any diversions. It is important you check this, as some coach journeys can be significant in length. Generally, coaches are the most cost-effective option available to travellers.
Make sure to check the arrival destination in Oxford (best is Gloucester Green bus station), to ensure you end up in the City Centre, where the conference is taking place.
Regional airports (Manchester, Birmingham etc) will likely have connecting coach services to Oxford, but almost all of these will be stopping services, meaning increased journey times.
Useful Links
- Trainline – Check journey times, recommended routes, and how to save money on train fares
- National Express – Book National Express coaches, check journey times and schedules
- The Airline – Book coaches between London Airports and Oxford, check journey times and schedules
- Oxford Station Checker – Check the status of trains travelling to/from Oxford, keep track of any major developments
- British Rail Map – Full map of all operators and stations for the United Kingdom
- London Underground Map – Full map of London Underground, check connecting services and stations
- UK (Train) Service Checker – Check all services and stations in the UK for disruptions
