Travel Information

This page provides brief guidance on how to get to Oxford from major UK airports.

Heathrow Airport

The easiest way to get from Heathrow to Oxford without changes is by coach, with several companies, including National Express and Oxford Bus Company, operating frequent 24/7 services to central Oxford. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes from Heathrow central bus station and about 80 minutes from Terminal 5 depending on traffic. Please see National Express and Oxford Bus Company websites for fares, tickets and timetables.

Heathrow central bus station is between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. It is a few minutes' walk from the terminals via underground walkways. The bus station is open 24 hours a day, and the travel centre opens from 06:00 to 22:30. Coaches also call at Terminals 4 and 5, a short walk from check-in and arrivals. Tickets can be bought from the travel centre at Heathrow central bus station or booked in advance with the operator.

For more information about Heathrow, please see the official airport website.

Gatwick Airport

National Express and Oxford Bus Company operate 24/7 coarch services to central Oxford from Gatwick's North and South terminals. The journey typically takes 2-2.5 hours depending on traffic. Please see National Express and Oxford Bus Company websites for fares, tickets and timetables.

Alternatively, you may choose to travel to Oxford by train. The journey requires one change at Reading and lasts approximately 2 hours. Visit First Great Western and Crosscountry websites for more details.

For more information about Gatwick, please see the official airport website.

Stansted Airport

National Express runs direct services to central Oxford 8 times a day. Average journey time is aproximately 3 hours. As there are not many coaches making this connection they can get booked up quickly, it is advisable to book in advance online. Please see National Express website for fares, tickets and timetables.

Stansted Airport's bus and coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance. Coach tickets can be bought at the ticket desk in arrivals (open 06:00 to 01:00), in the coach station (24 hours, seven days a week) or on board.

There are no direct train services between Oxford and Stansted, but you can take a train to London and continue your journey to Oxford from there. Stansted Express offers fast and convenient service between the airport and London Liverpool Street every 15 minutes with journey time of 45 minutes.

Stansted Airport rail station is directly below the terminal building. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the station.

For more information about Stansted, please see the official airport website.

Luton Airport

National Express runs 8 direct services from Luton to central Oxford a day and it is advisable to book tickets in advance. Average journey time is aproximately 2 hours. Please see National Express website for fares, tickets and timetables.

Alternatively, you can catch a train to London and continue your journey to Oxford by train from Paddington Station or by bus from Victoria Coach Station. Regular rail services from Luton to central London take approximately 21 minutes with East Midlands Trains and 25 minutes with First Capital Connect.

For more information about Luton, please see the official airport website.

London to Oxford

Trains from London to Oxford run from Paddington Station. The journey time is normally 50-90 minutes. Please see First Great Western website for fares, tickets and timetables.

Bus services to Oxford run from Victoria Coach Station Gate 10. The journey time is approximately 100 minutes depending on traffic. Please see Oxford Bus Company and Oxford Tube websites for fares, tickets and timetables.