Transport
How to get around
Oxford offers excellent transport links both within the city and to destinations across the UK. It is well connected by rail to London, Birmingham and beyond, with frequent services from Oxford Station and Oxford Parkway. The city is also served by reliable coach companies including National Express, the Oxford Tube (to London) and the Airline (to Heathrow and Gatwick airports). Walking and cycling are popular ways to get around, supported by an expanding network of cycle paths and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Public transport is widely used in the city, however, it’s important to note that some surrounding villages are not well connected to Oxford or to each other, so it’s advisable to check timetables and journey times before deciding where to live.
Oxford’s approach to sustainable travel helps to keep the city moving while protecting its historic character and a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) covers the city centre whilst transport policies such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) restrict through-traffic on residential streets. Similarly, bus gates - camera-controlled access points - are in place across the city to prioritise buses, taxis and cyclists while limiting private car access.
Parking in central Oxford is limited and expensive, so many residents choose to live within walking or cycling distance of their workplace or near a reliable bus or train route. Park and Ride services are available around the edge of the city for those who commute by car.
Oxford is an ideal city for walking. The small-town feel survives in many parts of the city and getting around on foot is practical and safe. Oxford has numerous well-lit paths through parks and open spaces to make your journey to and from work more enjoyable. Some of the colleges’ gardens are open to visitors, and there are many other public spaces where you can walk, jog or go for a picnic. Walks in Oxford is a good way starting point for your excursions.
Oxford is relatively flat, so bicycles are an ideal way to get around. Plan your route using this cycle map and for general information about cycling in Oxford and the surrounding area, visit the Oxford City Council cycling pages. To try before you buy, use this bicycle rental guide and when you’re ready to purchase your own wheels, the University offers staff an interest-free loan for a bicycle and all the safety equipment you need, with up to a 12% discount from local retailers via its Bike Loan Scheme. You may also wish to access the Cycle to Work Scheme which enables employees to purchase a new bike out of their pre-tax income (a potential saving of around 33%) and find out about our discounts on bicycle repair and security. The University also provides a mobile repair scheme via which labour costs are discounted from your repair bill. You will also be spoilt for choice when it comes to second hand bicycle shops.
Dockless e-bikes are available for short-term hire with two providers, Voi and Lime. E-bikes are available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis, with daily and monthly subscriptions also available. Both operators also offer a range of discounts for students, NHS staff, Blue Light Card holders, disabled people and older people. More details of each operator’s discounts can be found on their booking sites:
E-scooters are available for hire as part of a government trial ending 31 May 2026. They can be used on the road, cycle lanes and shared cycle/footpaths within the trial area but not on pavements. To ride a scooter, download the Voi app and upload a copy of your valid full or provisional driving licence. Provisional licenses can be obtained in one week via an online application.
It costs £1 to unlock the scooter and 22p per minute of the ride. There are several subscriptions that allow unlimited rides at a fixed rate. Voi is offering discounted rides to students, people on a low income, NHS and emergency service staff.
Park and Ride buses operate for anyone coming into Oxford by car. For local and national bus travel, the main bus companies in Oxford are: Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Thames Travel. Visit their websites for a detailed list of bus services, up-to-date timetables and fare information.
Stagecoach X5 buses offers a regular service to Bicester Village, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge leaving from Oxford Bus Station at Gloucester Green. Visit the X5 website for more information. All Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company buses are wheelchair accessible as are some Oxford Tube and airport coaches, though these may only have room for one wheelchair at a time. Please see Oxford City Council's Disability and Accessibility webpages for more general information on accessible transport services. For information on nationwide coach travel, visit National Express.
If you are a current Blue Badge holder, you are automatically entitled to a permit to use a University parking space as close as possible to the entrance of your workplace – please read the Blue Badge parking guidance.
Oxford University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy actively discourages the use of cars where active travel public transport is possible. One of its ten priority areas is: Local travel - Limit transport emissions by reducing the need to travel, encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport and managing the demand to travel by car. Parking spaces at the university and in the city are limited and in many areas street parking is restricted to 'residents only' for some, or all, of the day. If you do not have a driveway or allocated parking area on your property, you may need a resident's parking permit. Rental cars are a good option with Zipcar and Co Wheels conveniently located in Oxford. For further information about car travel, please see the University's travel webpages.
Overseas staff with a foreign driving licence, may be able to use it to drive in the UK for a limited period before having to qualify for a UK driving licence, or exchange an existing licence for a UK licence. For guidance, please consult the UK government website on driving licences.
It is compulsory for drivers and passengers to use a seatbelt or suitable safety restraint. Children are required by UK law to be in a child car seat until they reach the age of 12 or a height of 135cm, whichever comes first – refer to UK car seat requirements.
The closest airports to Oxford are London Heathrow and Birmingham. London Gatwick, London Stansted and London Luton are further away but can be reached by direct coach from Oxford. If you are travelling by road, Bristol, Southampton and East Midlands airports are all within two hours' drive. Frequent travellers may be able to apply for the Registered Traveller service (check the website for eligibility). Payment of an annual fee enables you to pass quickly through border control at major UK airports and Eurostar train terminals.
London Oxford Airport is largely a training and private aviation centre.
