Travel and Parking
Situated in the South-East of England, Oxfordshire is one of the most scenic of all English counties. You can visit market towns, rural villages, farmland, and explore beautiful countryside whilst staying in Oxford. Well served by road and rail networks that give fast and direct access locally, nationally and from Europe. With excellent transport links to and from London, Oxford is and ideal base for a trip to the capital, being just 56 miles (90km) west of London.
Travel To Oxford
By car: the M40 motorway from the Midlands (Junction 9) or from London (Junction 8): from the Cotswolds (A40 or A44) or from the M4 (A420 or A34).
Parking in Oxford is limited so please use the free Park and Ride car parks to the north, south, east and west of the city. All operate Monday to Sunday except Water Eaton (not Sundays). The Pear Tree site serves evening visitors (buses until 23:15). All P&R buses take wheelchairs.
By bus: from Heathrow and Gatwick airports the Oxford Bus Company's airline operates a 24 hour service. Euros and US dollars are accepted. Pre-booked airport transfers can be booked through taxi or hire car firms.
The National Express 737 service links Oxford to Luton and Stansted airports.
Two companies provide a 24/7 bus service to London: the Oxford Espress and the Oxford Tube
By train: Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham International airports are served by train to Oxford. There is a fast and frequent service from London Paddington.
Travel In Oxford
The Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach are the principal bus companies within Oxford. The 'U' services link Oxford Brookes University sites and are also for public use. You can hire a bicycle, a car, or taxi.
Travelling Around Oxfordshire by Public Transport
Traveline South East provides journey planning and timetables for public transport in the south east of England, including London. Local bus companies serving Oxford include Arriva (Wheatley, Thame and Aylesbury), Thames Travel (Wallingford, Henley, and Reading), Heyfordian (ditto) and Charlton Services (Charton-on-Otmoor).
By train: a comprehensive timetable and ticket service is available online. The Cotswold Line serves villages such as Long Hanborough, Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott under Wychwood and on to Worcester. The line to Leamington Spa accesses Tackley and Lower Heyford. The Bicester line passes through Islip and the Didcot line serves Radley and Appleford.
Shopmobility lends manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to visitors and residents free of charge and free parking for users.
For advice on aspects of travel or transport the following may be helpful:
- www.direct.gov.uk
- www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
- Oxfordshire Transport for All helpline: + 44 (0)1865 883488
- Rail Assisted Travel helpline: + 44 (0)800 1971329
- A disabled parking map of Oxford and a disabled guide to Oxford are available from Oxford Tourist Information Centre.
