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London to Oxford by train
It takes an average of 1h 17m to travel from London to Oxford by train, over a distance of around 52 miles (83 km). There are normally 120 trains per day travelling from London to Oxford and tickets for this journey start from £5.40 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 00:31 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Oxford | |
| Journey time | From 45m | |
| Distance | 52 miles (83 km) | |
| Frequency | 120 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £5.40 | |
| Train operators |
Travelling from London to Oxford by train in just 45 minutes
Planning a day out and looking to travel to Oxford from London by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, the train from London to Oxford takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes, but the trip can take just 45 minutes on the fastest services. Trains to Oxford from London are usually direct, so once you’re on board you can sit back, relax and stay connected with free WiFi available on most services.
You'll be travelling with either Great Western Railway (GWR) or Chiltern Railways on this route. GWR trains depart from London Paddington station, while Chiltern Railways services leave from London Marylebone station.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to find cheap ticket prices – we’ll show you how much you can save on your train tickets if you travel Off-Peak or get a Railcard.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets with us today. Want to know more? Keep reading for:
- FAQs about the trip from London to Oxford
- Train operators from London to Oxford
- GWR travel classes
- Chiltern Railways travel classes
- Services on board trains from London to Oxford
- Travelling to the train station in London
- All about London Paddington and London Marylebone
- Arriving in Oxford
- Using public transport in Oxford
- Things to do in and around Oxford
- Where to travel next after Oxford
- Reviews of the journey from London to Oxford
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from London to Oxford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from London to Oxford take?
The average journey time by train between London and Oxford is 1 hour and 17 minutes, with around 120 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between London and Oxford by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Oxford is 45 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Oxford cost?
Train ticket prices from London to Oxford can start from as little as £5.40 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from London to Oxford?
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Oxford without having to change trains. There are 120 direct trains from London to Oxford each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from London to Oxford leave?
The first train from London to Oxford leaves at 04:05. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Oxford leave?
The last train from London to Oxford leaves at 00:31. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between London and Oxford by train?
Trains travelling from London to Oxford cover a distance of around 52 miles (83 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Oxford to London.
Cheap train tickets from London to Oxford
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Oxford is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Great Western Railway and Chiltern Railways trains from London to Oxford
You can travel from London to Oxford by train on either Great Western Railway or Chiltern Railways trains. Keep reading for more details.
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (more commonly known as GWR) takes you further. From Swansea Bay to the Thames Valley via the Cotswolds, GWR makes it easy to get to various parts of the UK smoothly and hassle-free. Whether you want to travel from London to Oxford, London to Bath Spa, or even London to Penzance, GWR can get you there.
Learn more about Great Western Railway (GWR).
Chiltern Railways
Primarily operating on the Chiltern Main Line, Chiltern Railways connects London with towns and cities in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands.
Some of the most popular routes operated by Chiltern Railways include London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street, London Marylebone to Oxford and London Marylebone to Aylesbury.
Learn more about Chiltern Railways.
GWR travel classes from London to Oxford
On most services, GWR offers both Standard Class and First Class seating.
Standard
Benefit from family-sized tables, power sockets and generous luggage allowances, all at an affordable price. Great Western Railway makes trips up and down the UK easy for budgeters and thrill-seekers alike.
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Free WiFi |
Comfortable seating |
Table at every seat |
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First Class
GWR offers First Class seating for those wishing to kick back and relax on their journeys. Enjoy comfy seats, some individual seating, quieter coaches and complimentary WiFi, snacks and light refreshments (on long-distance trains). First Class ticket holders also have access to the First Class lounges at Cardiff and Paddington.
Find out more about GWR First Class.
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Free WiFi |
Comfortable seating |
Table at every seat |
Lounge access in London and Cardiff |
Complimentary refreshments |
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✔ |
Chiltern Railways travel classes from London to Oxford
Chiltern Railways trains offer only Standard Class seating, but you'll find plenty of amenities onboard to make your journey comfortable.
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Free WiFi |
Comfortable seating |
Table at every seat |
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✔ |
✔ |
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Onboard services on trains from London to Oxford
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travelling with children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to London train stations
How to get to London Paddington station
GWR trains to Oxford leave from London Paddington station.
Located in Zone 1, Paddington station is easily accessible by public transport. Take a look at how to get there by:
- London Underground: The Bakerloo (brown), Hammersmith & City (pink), Circle (yellow), District (green), Metropolitan (magenta) and Elizabeth (purple) lines all stop at Paddington station.
- Bus: Multiple Transport for London (TfL) bus services serve Paddington station, including routes 7, 16, 23, 27, 36, 205, N7, N27 and N205.
How to get to London Marylebone station
Chiltern Railways trains to Oxford leave from London Marylebone station.
Also centrally located, London Marylebone station can easily be reached from different parts of the city thanks to London’s extensive public transport network:
- London Underground: The Bakerloo line (brown) stops at Marylebone station. Once you arrive, simply follow the signs to exit Marylebone Underground station and then access Marylebone railway station.
- Transport for London (TfL) buses: Multiple bus routes serve Marylebone station, including routes 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159, 189, 205, 274, and 453.
Everything you need to know about London train stations
What’s on offer at London Paddington station?
If you’re looking to while away the time waiting for your train, London Paddington station is full of facilities such as:
- Food and drink outlets including Wasabi, Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee
- Shops such as Boots, Lush and Accessorize
- Cash machines
- GWR First Class lounge
- Left luggage facilities (where lost property facilities are located)
- Induction loop
- Lift access to all floors
- Waiting rooms
- Toilets and showers (including accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet and baby changing facilities)
- Wheelchairs available for use in the station
- Free WiFi.
What’s on offer at London Marylebone station?
Waiting for your train to arrive at the platform? There are plenty of amenities at London Marylebone station:
- Food and drink outlets such as Burger King and Greggs
- Shops such as Boots, Oliver Bonas and M&S Food
- Cash machines
- Lost property
- Luggage storage
- Bike storage
- Seating and waiting rooms
- Toilets (including accessible toilets) and baby changing places
- Free WiFi.
Arriving in Oxford from London
No matter which train company you’re travelling with, you’ll arrive at Oxford station.
When you travel from London to Oxford by train, you’ll travel from city centre to city centre. This means you’ll arrive in central Oxford, at Oxford station. This is just a stone’s throw (or a 10-minute walk) away from some of Oxford’s most famous sights, including the colleges of Oxford University.
If you need to pick something up before you start exploring Oxford, there are amenities at the railway station including:
- Food and drink outlets such as Gregg, Costa Coffee and Pret A Manger
- Shops such as WHSmith and M&S Food
- Waiting room
- Cash machines
- Toilets (including accessible toilets)
- Free WiFi
- Induction loop
- Ramp and lift access to the platforms.
Using public transport in Oxford
Oxford is a small city, so it’s easy to walk to the city centre from the station. Exploring the heart of the city on foot is a great way to spot some of Oxford’s prettiest architecture or just get a feel for the place.
However, if you’re looking to go outside of the city centre or you want to use public transport, there are plenty of buses which can take you to your destination.
- From the station: There are many buses which will take you from the railway station to the city centre and beyond. Most buses in central Oxford are operated by either Stagecoach or Oxford Bus Company.
- From the city centre: If you need to travel to other neighbourhoods in Oxford, such as Cowley, Summertown or Headington, you can also hop on a bus.
Things to do in and around Oxford
Looking for something fun to do on your trip to Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires? You’re in luck! We’ve got plenty of suggestions for you.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do in Oxford! Don’t worry - we’ve got some recommendations for you:
- Head to a museum: Oxford is full of museums! So, whether you’re looking to see some art in the Ashmolean Museum or check out dodos and dinosaurs in Oxford’s Museum of Natural History, you’re sure to have a whale of a time.
- Wander across Oxford’s cobbles: The best way to explore Oxford is on foot. There’s loads to see, from Oxford University colleges to churches and charming old streets. It’s the perfect way to get to know the city.
- Picnic in the park: The hardest part? Picking which park to picnic in! University Parks is a favourite with dogwalkers, so if you want to spot a pooch or two it’s the best place to go. Christ Church Meadows is also popular with students and tourists alike – why not wander down the river and watch the rowing while you’re there?
Or if you’re staying in Oxford for a while and you’re looking for something a little further afield, why not check out 9 of the best day trips from Oxford?
Where to travel next after Oxford
If you want to keep exploring the UK by train, why not check out some of the most popular trips from Oxford?
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
GWR
Chiltern Railways
