Alert We aim to keep the information on this page up to date, however this might not always be possible and therefore you must make sure you plan your trip in advance. Due to improvement works on Oxford Rail Station, Botley Road in Oxford will be closed until the end of October 2024. This may affect your journey to campus. Read about the Botley Road closure on https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/botley-road-closure. Also, if you are travelling by train, make sure you check the National Rail website for travel disruptions.
Oxford is about 80 kilometres from London (Heathrow Airport) and further from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports, the sea ports and central London. If you prefer to travel by public transport, these directions will help you travel to Oxford.
London Heathrow Airport
The Airline coach runs to and from Heathrow central bus station (which is a short walk from Terminal 2 and 3) and Terminal 5. If you need to move to or from Terminal 4, there is a free underground which connects Terminal 4 to Terminals 2 and 3. Please note that Terminal 1 is currently not in use.
Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in London and it can be confusing to move from one terminal to the other. However, there are several tools to help you navigate the airport and plan your arrival. Check the Plan your journey webpage on the Heathrow Airport website. It will help to have a look in advance to the interactive maps or to download the Heathrow app.
Make sure you check the Airline timetable for Heathrow Airport when planning your trip. The Airline coach runs frequently 24 hours a day and stops outside the main University campus (stop B4 on Headington road).
It takes between 70 to 90 minutes to reach Oxford. You can buy your tickets online before you travel or with cash from the bus driver. Tickets from Heathrow to Oxford cost £25. You can make contactless credit/debit card payments up to £100. If the cost of your ticket purchase will be more than this, please ensure you have enough cash or buy your tickets online before you travel.
You can get off the Airline coach at several bus stops in Oxford. One of the bus stops is just outside the main Oxford Brookes campus in Headington. You can get off there and take a taxi to your accommodation. Alternatively, you may prefer to get off at the last stop in Oxford, called Gloucester Green, and take a ‘black cab’ taxi to your accommodation. There is a taxi rank next to the Odeon Cinema. If you are unsure, ask the coach driver.
London Gatwick Airport
The Airline coach runs from both South and North Terminal coach stations. It runs more or less every hour during the day and every 2 hours overnight. It takes about 2.5 - 3 hours to reach Oxford, depending on traffic. The buses leave from outside the terminal buildings. You can find detailed information about where to catch the bus on the Airline website.
You can buy your tickets online before you travel or with cash or contactless payment from the bus driver. A single ticket to Oxford costs £30. You can get off the Airline coach at several bus stops in Oxford. One of the bus stops is just outside the main Oxford Brookes campus in Headington. You can get off there and take a taxi to your accommodation. You may prefer to get off at the last stop in Oxford called Gloucester Green and take a ‘black cab’ taxi to your accommodation. There is a taxi rank next to the Odeon Cinema. If you are unsure, ask the coach driver.
London Luton Airport
If you are arriving at Luton airport you can book coach tickets to Oxford with the National Express coach company. The bus leaves from just outside the terminal building and stops outside the University and in Oxford city centre. If you are travelling with your luggage, you may prefer to get off at the last stop in Oxford called Gloucester Green and take a ‘black cab’ taxi to your accommodation.
There are direct coaches (service 737) or you may need to take the National Express coach to Heathrow (service 707) and then change coach to the Airline coach (service OXF). Find more information about routes, fares and where to catch the bus from on the National Express website.
Direct tickets cost approx. £25. If you need to change at Heathrow the ticket could cost up to £51. We recommend you book direct tickets in advance on the National Express website.
London Stansted Airport
The National Express 737 coach runs direct from Stansted Airport to Oxford. Pre-booking is highly recommended as the coach is on a reduced service. Check the timetable and book in advance. The bus leaves from just outside the terminal building and stops outside the University and in Oxford city centre. If you are travelling with your luggage, you may prefer to get off at the last stop in Oxford called Gloucester Green and take a ‘black cab’ taxi to your accommodation. There is a taxi rank next to the Odeon Cinema. If you are unsure, ask the coach driver.
Pre-booking is highly recommended, though you can buy a ticket from the driver on the bus if there is space. The journey takes approximately 3-4 hours from Stansted depending on traffic.
If you are unable to get the National Express, you can take the Stansted Express train from Stansted airport train station (within the airport terminal) to London Liverpool Street train station. At London Liverpool Street you should take the Underground to London Paddington train station. From London Paddington you can get the train to Oxford. Prices and journey times will vary. We advise you plan your journey using The Trainline to ensure that connecting trains to Oxford are available when your flight lands.
When you arrive at Oxford train station there should be taxis you can take to your accommodation directly outside the station.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport is connected to the Birmingham International train station which you can reach by the Air-Link. This takes about 2 minutes to get you to the station and it runs every hour between 3:30 am to 00:30 everyday. Outside of these hours you can reach the train station by walking or by taxi. Train services run regularly from Birmingham International station to Oxford. Please note that there is no train service overnight and we advise to plan your journey using The Trainline to ensure that connecting trains to Oxford are available when your flight lands.
When you arrive at Oxford train station there should be taxis you can take to your accommodation directly outside the station.
Southampton Airport
You can travel from Southampton Airport easily by train as this is connected to Southampthon Airport Parkway Station. Make sure you have a look at the information and timetables.
We advise you plan your journey using The Trainline and to ensure that connecting trains to Oxford are available when your flight lands.
When you arrive at Oxford train station there should be taxis you can take to your accommodation directly outside the station.