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:
The average journey time by train between London and Oxford is 1 hour and 15 minutes, with around 119 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.
The fastest journey time by train from London to Oxford is 45 minutes.
Train ticket prices from London to Oxford can start from as little as £4.85 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.
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Oxford without having to change trains. There are 119 direct trains from London to Oxford each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
The first train from London to Oxford leaves at 04:05. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
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.
Trains travelling from London to Oxford cover a distance of around 52 miles (83 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Oxford to London.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (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).
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.
On most services, GWR offers both Standard Class and First Class seating.
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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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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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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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:
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:
If you’re looking to while away the time waiting for your train, London Paddington station is full of facilities such as:
Waiting for your train to arrive at the platform? There are plenty of amenities at London Marylebone station:
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:
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.
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:
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?
If you want to keep exploring the UK by train, why not check out some of the most popular trips from Oxford?