Traveling
Getting to Oxford
Heathrow Airport to Oxford
Buses run from Heathrow to the center of Oxford about every 30 minutes, so there is no need to purchase a ticket ahead of time. Buy a bus ticket in the terminal if you can, but you may also purchase tickets directly from the driver, so be sure to have British currency with you (£20). Two bus companies operate between Heathrow and Oxford: the Oxford Bus Company’s The Airline and the Oxford Express. (Oxford Express also runs from London to Oxford.)
London to Oxford
If you took the Heathrow Express from Heathrow to London (£16.50 one-way), you probably ended at Paddington or Victoria station. There are trains directly from these stations to the Oxford city centre. If you use this method, be sure to have a map of London and the Underground train system (also known as the Tube). Most likely there will be a Tube station in close vicinity to your hotel or hostel. Buses also run from London’s Victoria Station to Oxford by way of the Oxford Tube Bus every 15 minutes. There are several stops (Marble Arch, Bakerloo, etc.), but you will get off at Gloucester Green. One way tickets for students run about £11.
Traveling by train to Oxford is a bit more expensive and the train leaves from Paddington Station. If you are traveling in a group larger than five, discounts are available. When you arrive at the train station in Oxford, your best solution is to take a taxi to Hertford College porter’s lodge for your housing assignment.
Luggage Storage
If you are arriving in England prior to the check-in date, you will need to store your luggage either at the airport or somewhere else in Oxford as you will not have access to your housing unit until the check-in date. The following storage company has been used by students in the past and comes highly recommended:
Personal Storage
91-99 Botley Road
Oxford
OX2 0EZ
Telephone in UK: 01865 791 611
From Abroad: +44 1865 791 611
Email: oxford@personalstorage.co.uk
Website:
www.personalstorage.uk.com/references/personal-storage-oxford-260907.php
Affordable Airlines
Beware of taxes. A flight that costs only 99p might charge £15 in taxes. BMIbaby usually does this. Also note which airports these airlines fly out of, Stansted, Luton and Gatwick are at least an hour and a half from Oxford, so you would need to buy a bus ticket as well.
Helpful Travel Websites
Bus/Train
Other Travel Opportunities
Macbackpackers is a guided bus tour through the Highlands and famous cities of Scotland. Great price and highly recommended by Oxford alumni. Visit www.macbackpackers.com for more information.
Eurail is very valuable if you intend to spend extensive time traveling continental Europe. Available for 10 day - 3 month periods and up to 17 countries.
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), is available in the Center for Global Learning & Engagement as well as the STA travel center in Oxford. It offers discounts to international students, valid up to one year.
Hostels
StudentUniverse
Hostelworld.com
allstays.com/hostels.htm
Try camping!
Student Tip
See the city in an unusual way! Take a haunted city tour. Go on a scavenger hunt.
“We signed up for the St. Patrick's Day festival scavenger hunt in Dublin.
We were given wristbands to get us into several venues/museums for free as well
as a map and a chance to see the city in an exciting new way! We finished 42nd
out of over 1,000 teams, and that included stopping to take pictures. We were
interviewed at the finish line by an Irish television news crew, and someone
we knew saw us on TV that night!”
– Charis Bracy, Oxford Spring '07
Oxford Tips were compiled by Oxford alumna Charis Bracy and are strictly advice from a student. All students are highly recommended to do their own research before traveling abroad. Prices and availability are subject to change.
