Trains to Oxford
Take the train to Oxford and discover a historic university city. There are direct services to Oxford from the UK's major cities - get from London to Glasgow in as little as 44 minutes, Birmingham to Oxford in just over an hour and Bristol to Oxford in 1h 11m. Use our Journey Planner to search for train times and compare ticket prices, and buy in advance to secure the best prices on tickets to Oxford.
Oxford is one of the most famous university cities in the world, attracting around 9.5 million visitors every year. Located an hour away from London Paddington and just 20 minutes from Reading, historic Oxford keeps its youthful feel due to the city's large student population. Although the 750-year-old university is the highlight, there are also excellent museums, punting on the River Thames and charming traditional pubs for a pint of Oxford Prospect.
Popular journeys to Oxford
It's easy to catch a train to Oxford from all over the UK, with direct routes from cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester. There are also fast connections to Oxford from surrounding towns nearby towns like Reading and Banbury. We've highlighted some of the most popular routes below, or you can start your search from any UK destination in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operators |
|---|---|---|
| London to Oxford | 0h 44m | Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways |
| Reading to Oxford | 0h 21m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway |
| Birmingham to Oxford | 1h 2m | CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways |
| Banbury to Oxford | 0h 18m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways |
| Manchester to Oxford | 2h 45m | CrossCountry |
| Bristol to Oxford | 1h 11m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway |
| Heathrow to Oxford | 1h 13m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Tfl Rail, Heathrow Express |
How to find cheap train tickets to Oxford
There are a number of ways you can find cheap train tickets to Oxford to help you save money and explore the city. Whether you are travelling to Oxford for work or leisure, our Journey Planner can help you find the cheapest available tickets on the days you want to travel.
The first way you can get your hands on cheaper train tickets to Oxford is by using a National Railcard. If you travel more than a few times a year, buying an eligible Railcard can allow you to save up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets*, meaning you can spend more on things to see and do in the city. To see the different types of Railcards, eligibility requirements and to buy one online, check out our Railcards page. Railcards cater to different age ranges and circumstances so, from the Senior Railcard, to the Disabled Persons Railcard and the newly-introduced 26-30 Railcard (Millennial Railcard), you'll be sure to find your match.
A fool-proof way to save money on train tickets to Oxford is by purchasing an Advance ticket. In most cases, the earlier you book Advance tickets, the more you will benefit from cheap fares. Advance tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks in advance, so if you are off to hit the shops or have a night out with friends pencilled in the calendar, simply look out for the “Advance ticket” type when you search for tickets using our Journey Planner, or sign up to our Ticket alert to find out as soon as your tickets go on sale. Make sure you book these tickets as early as possible, because the longer you wait, the more the price can go up.
Another we'll save you money is by "splitting" your tickets - enter our SplitSave app feature. Where possible, we will automatically "split" your tickets to find the cheapest combination of fares. Look out for the blue and white SplitSave icon when you search for tickets to Oxford on our app. Curious? Discover how split ticketing works.
You could also travel at Off-Peak periods, buy Return train tickets instead of two singles and catch the train as a group of between three and nine people and cash in on a GroupSave discount. To find out more, visit our types of train tickets page and see useful ways to get the best value train fares.
Want even more handy hints on how to save money on train tickets? Check out our cheap train tickets page.
Visiting Oxford
Oxford University’s most famous college, Christ Church, was first founded in 1524 by Cardinal Wolsey and then refounded in 1532 by King Henry VIII. The grand chapel of the college remains a main draw as it is now Oxford’s cathedral. A total of 13 British Prime Ministers were educated at Christ Church, Lewis Carroll taught mathematics here, and it was also a filming location for the Harry Potter films.
Established in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is Britain’s oldest museum. It was named after Elias Ashmole, who gifted the university a collection of treasures from Charles I’s well-travelled gardener, John Tradescant. Here you can discover Egyptian mummies, European paintings, key historical documents and Islamic artworks.
Take a break from the museums and colleges with a stroll through the central stone-walled botanic garden and sit under the tree that was said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ents in The Lord of the Rings. Opened in 1621, this is Britain’s oldest botanic garden.
The Pitt Rivers Museum is perhaps Oxford’s most weird and wonderful experience. The anthropologist Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers collected over 20,000 curiosities during his travels around the British Empire. Expect to see shrunken heads, trophy scalps and musical instruments on display in this quirky attraction.
Planning a day trip from Oxford but not sure where to go? Why not check out our dedicated guide to 9 of the best day trips from Oxford for some inspiration.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get cheap train tickets to Oxford?
It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Oxford. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can.
Are trains running to Oxford?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Oxford, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Oxford.
How long does it take to get to Oxford by train?
You can view train timetables and travel times to Oxford in our Journey Planner. Oxford is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Oxford?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Oxford, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.