Travel & Accomodation

If you are flying to the UK from another country, you may want to arrive at London Heathrow airport, which is the closest to Oxford (45-50 minutes by coach). Depending on the air company of your choice, alternative airports are London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, London City and – in some cases – even Birmingham and Bristol.

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London Heathrow airport

The Airline coach service runs from Heathrow airport Central Bus Station (Stand 15), close to Terminals 1, 2 and 3; and from Terminal 5 (Stand 10 at the Arrival concourse) (period return ticket £30).

If landing at Terminal 4, you will need to reach Terminal 5 by bus (482 or 490 from T4 Arrival concourse, travel time 10 minutes) or Central Bus Station at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (via the Heathrow Express train, travel time 10 minutes).

The Airline coach runs every 20-30 mins from about 6am until 10pm, and every 1-2 hours through the night. It takes between 50 to 60 minutes (from Terminal 5) to reach Oxford (depending on traffic); a little longer from Central Bus Station (Terminals 1, 2 and 3). The route ends at the Coach Station in Oxford city centre; however, if you are alighting at Oxford Brookes University, you must get off much earlier – the driver calls all the stops in advance. Check The Airline website for fares, timetables, payment options (e.g. cash to driver, online booking).

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London Gatwick airport

The Airline coach runs from South Terminal Lower Forecourt (Stands 1&2) and from North Terminal Lower Forecourt (Stands 4&5) at Gatwick airport (period return ticket £37).

It runs every hour from about 7am to 11pm, and every 2 hours through the night. It takes about 100 minutes to 2 and a half hours to reach Oxford, depending on traffic. Check The Airline website for fares, timetables, payment options (i.e. cash to driver, online booking).

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London Luton and Stansted airports

The National Express 757 coach runs from Stansted and Luton airports approximately every 20-60 minutes depending on the time of day (return tickets from £24).

Please be aware that Stansted airport in particular is quite far from Oxford and travelling by coach from there can take you up to 4 and a half hours as it makes several stops along the way. Travel time from Luton is around 2 hours.

An alternative route – albeit one that requires changing various means of transportation – is to reach London via the Stansted Express train, alight at Liverpool Street Station, take the Tube (i.e. the London Underground), and then the Oxford Tube coach service operated by Stagecoach (from Marble Arch) to Oxford, or a train from Paddington Rail Station (see below). From Stansted you can also take the National Express A7 coach service to Victoria Station in London, and then the Oxford Tube coach service from there to Oxford (return ticket from £24). Without traffic, these combined routes may save you about one hour.

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Birmingham airport

Virgin trains to Oxford run from Birmingham International station (connected to the airport by the free Air-Rail Link) every 30 mins from about 7am to 11pm, and every two hours through the night. Travel time is about one hour. Return tickets cost around £40. For more information and timetables visit National Rail.

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Taxis from airports

Taxis from all airports are available but tend to be very expensive and therefore we do not recommend them unless you have a specific requirement that makes it a better choice for you. Trips can normally be booked in advance and fares vary depending on the airport you land at, but normally range between £75 from Heathrow and £115 from Stansted. You should not accept a ride for anything more than that.

For contact details check individual airports’ websites or for Oxford-based taxi companies (note: some companies only operate within Oxford and surrounding areas so always check their websites in advance).

By train

There are direct train services to Oxford from many UK towns and cities, many at least hourly and sometimes half-hourly. For other places, there is usually a simple change en route at Birmingham or Reading, or in London.

For details of train services and timetable information, please visit the National Rail enquiries website.

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By coach

Direct coach services to Oxford are run by National Express from Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, Coventry, Leeds, Sheffield, Bournemouth and Southampton.

For more information and timetable information, please visit the National Express website.

If you are travelling to Oxford from London (including if you land at London City airport) the best option is to use the local transport network (i.e. Tube, Overground and/or buses) to reach either one of the stops of the Oxford Tube coach service or one of the rail stations for train services.

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By coach (Oxford Tube service)

The Oxford Tube is the direct motorway coach service from London, running as often as every 10-15 minutes most of the day, every 20-30 minutes late evenings and hourly right through the night. Travel time is 90-120 minutes depending on traffic and departing point. Pay the driver or book online.

In Central London you can hop on at:

• Victoria Coach Station

• Grosvenor Square (opposite Victoria Station – note: this is the rail station as opposed to the coach station)

• Hyde Park/Marble Arch

• Notting Hill Gate

• Shepherd’s Bush

The coach will drop you off right outside Oxford Brookes University Headington Campus (in case you book on-campus accommodation) as well as in Oxford city centre. For more information please visit the Stagecoach Oxford Tube website.

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By train

Trains for Oxford depart from both Paddington and Marylebone stations in Central London. Trains depart approximately every 15-30 minutes throughout the day, and every 30 minutes in the late evening. The journey time is about one hour. If travelling from Marylebone, make sure to alight at Oxford Rail Station rather than Oxford Parkway, which is far away from the city centre.

Rail travel can be quite expensive in the UK. Booking tickets in advance is cheaper; do plan your journeys ahead, but always check travel restrictions (e.g. in most cases a reduced fare will only allow you to travel on a specific train or during ‘off peak’ hours).

For more information about train travel to and from Oxford Rail Station see National Rail.

If you book on-campus accommodation, from Oxford Rail Station, you can reach Oxford Brookes University either by bus (catch the BrookesBus U1 from the bus stop in Frideswide Sq., 100 metres from the station concourse) or taxi.

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By taxi

Taxis to Oxford from the airports and from Central London are very expensive. We advise travelling by coach or train. If you decide to use a taxi anyway, book in advance, so that the taxi will be at the airport or other pick-up address to meet you. Fares will vary depending on which airport you are arriving at or point of departure in London, but – as a rough indication they range between £70 and £120 per taxi.

We advise to not come by car unless necessary, since parking is very restricted in the whole city of Oxford.

If you wish to come by car, we recommend you use the Park and ride bus services. Park & ride car parks are clearly signposted as you approach the city and the bus service is frequent all day and through the evening.

If you decide to come by car, please make sure to get in contact at least three weeks in advance so we can make arrangements on campus for you.

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Driving to Oxford

From the south (London) – take the M40 northbound, leave at junction 8 and follow the signs for Oxford along the A40. Within the city limits, the A40 becomes London Road: once there, follow the signs for the city centre.

From the north (Birmingham) – take the M40 southbound, leave at junction 8a and follow the signs for Oxford along the A40 (this option bypasses exiting at junction 9 and using the A34 which tends to have much heavier traffic). Then follow the signs for the city centre on London Road as above.

If you are driving to Oxford via another route, on approaching Oxford we recommend taking the By-Pass (i.e. Ring Road) until the closest junction (Botley from West, North Oxford, Headington from East/Sout-East, or Redbridge from South) and then following the signs to the city centre.

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Parking at Headington Campus

Car parking is severely restricted and you should not bring your car unless you have a parking space booked in advance. Free parking in the surrounding area is almost non-existent or, where available, limited to 2-3 hours.

If you are using satellite navigation, the postcode required is OX3 0BP.

Oxford is served by two bus companies (Oxford Bus Company – which also operates the BROOKESbus routes – and Stagecoach).

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Oxford Bus Company

Oxford Bus Company operates many services in and around Oxford as per below:

• City (local buses within Oxford)

• Park & Ride

• The Airline (from Oxford to Heathrow LHR, and Gatwick LGW)

Please see the Oxford Bus Company website for more information on services, routes, timetables and fares.

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Stagecoach

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire also operates many services in and around Oxford, including the Oxford Tube coach service between Oxford and London (with stops in the city centre and just outside OBU).

Please see the Stagecoach website for more information on services, routes, timetables and fares.

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Taxi

Only traditional black cabs (although nowadays they also come in different colours) can be hailed directly in the street (check the light on the roof for availability): a typical fare within the city limits is around £8-10 (or higher at night) depending on traffic.

Alternatively, although there is no Uber or Lyft in Oxford, there are other similar companies and you can book taxis (ASAP or in advance) via phone, online or using the various companies’ apps. Here below are reliable services. For most trips within Oxford central area the minimum flat fare of £5 will suffice (and surely never more than £10 within the city limits).

001 Taxis – Tel. 01865 240 000

A1 Cars – Tel. 01865 248 000

Royal Cars – Tel. 01865 777 333

Botley Taxis – Tel. 01865 423 264 (airport transfers and private hire)

ABC Taxi – Tel. 01865 24 24 24

Oxford being a university city and a popular tourist destination, summer tends to be a busy time – although, to be fair, any time throughout the year tends to be rather “lively”. Of course, this might not be the case until the pandemic persists.

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On-campus

Rooms are located within the Postgraduate Centre in the Clive Booth Hall Student Village at a very affordable price by advance booking only.

This type of accommodation being in one of Oxford Brookes University student halls of residence, it is of course no luxury boutique hotel; on the other hand, you will be in a very leafy and quiet location, surrounded by elms, oaks and… squirrels.

Type and availability: self-catered single ensuite bedrooms, free Wi-Fi, bed linen, iron/ironing board, central heating, shared kitchen (with fridge/freezer, electric hobs and oven, microwave oven, and cookware provided), access to communal areas and garden, bycicle storage, card-operated laundrette. Accommodation only, breakfast not included.

Note: no smoking, no on-site parking (limited-time parking spaces along the adjacent John Garne Way and Marston Road).

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Other options (e.g. hotels in the city centre)

You can of course plan to stay in the city centre or other areas of the city (especially if you wish to stay a few more days and enjoy the beauty of Oxford).

Hotels in Oxford

Below is a further selection of websites that may also help you find accommodation:

• Oxford Visitors Information

• Bed and Breakfasts Guide

• The AA

• Late Rooms

Airb’n’b tends to be fairly expensive in Oxford and accommodation often boils down to one bedroom in a semi-detached house that you will share with other guests. Therefore, if you choose this option make sure to check details and conditions carefully.

Estimated costs for accommodation (per room, per night)

• On campus single ensuite (Oxford Brookes University, Postgraduate Centre, Clive Booth Hall Student Village): £60.00 (TBC)

• B&Bs: £60-150

• Other 3-4 star hotels or B&B in Oxford: £90-200

• 5-star hotels in the city centre: £180-280

reference should be the Visas and immigration website of the UK government. For your convenience, here below is a summary of the main things to keep in mind.

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Visa

First of all, check online if you need a visa here. Select your country from the drop-down list, then “Work, academic visit or business” as the reason for your visit, and “6 months or less” – the conditions that apply to your country will then be displayed.

From some countries (e.g. EU, Australia and others) you may not need a visa to “go to a conference, meeting or training”; but remember that you will still need to “show officers at the UK border that you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa, even if you don’t need one”, which normally means your valid passport (note: national identity cards are accepted from some EEA countries, but if you also have a passport we would advice to use that instead).

If you do need to obtain a visa, then you should request a Standard Visitor visa, which in most cases costs £95 (as of October 2020). You should be able to apply online from most countries but the procedure may vary and it might take up to 3 weeks to get a response, so plan your time accordingly. All the relevant information is available here.

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Border control

If you are travelling from a EU/EEA country, or from any of the following countries – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA – you can use the automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a ‘chip’ on it, or follow the EU/EEA lane at passport control.

If you are travelling from another country (i.e. not listed above), you no longer have to fill in a landing card but you will have to follow the All Other Passports lane.

You can find further information regarding passport control procedures here.