Traveling
Getting to Oxford
Heathrow Airport to Oxford
Buses run from Heathrow to the center of Oxford about every 15 minutes, so there is no need to purchase a ticket ahead of time. You can usually purchase a bus tickets directly from the driver, so be sure to have British currency with you (£15-£17). Two bus companies operate between Heathrow and Oxford, The Airline and the Oxford Espress (Oxford Espress also runs from London to Oxford).
London to Oxford
If you have taken the Heathrow Express to London (£14.50 one-way), you probably ended at Paddington or Victoria station. There are trains directly from these stations to the Oxford city centre. If you go by this method, be sure to have a map of London and the Underground train system. Most likely there will be a tube station in close vicinity to your hotel or hostel. Be aware, however, many tube stations do not have elevators, dragging your luggage up and down stairs can be difficult, especially if you are by yourself.
Buses (or Coaches) run from London to Oxford every 15 minutes, there are several stops (Marble Arch, Bakerloo, etc.), however Victoria Station is the easiest to pick up a bus. One way Tickets for students run about £9.
The train is a bit more expensive and 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 the Chester House office on George Street, especially with all your luggage! The taxi ride should be £5-£7.
Important: Whether you are coming from Heathrow airport or London, your final bus stop will be Gloucester Green, the central bus station in Oxford. Do not get off your bus until this station! Gloucester Green is right across the street from the Chester House office on George Street, so you do not need to get a taxi. After you pick up your key and housing assignment from the office, it would be a good idea to have a taxi take you to your new home.
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.
