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Trains from Oxford to London

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Chiltern Railways
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Trains to London from Oxford

It takes an average of 1h 15m to travel from Oxford to London by train, over a distance of around 52 miles (83 km). There are normally 124 trains per day travelling from Oxford to London and tickets for this journey start from £5.40 when you book in advance.

First train

04:20

Last train

00:11

Departure stationOxford
Arrival stationLondon
Journey time

From 51m

Distance

52 miles (83 km)

Frequency

124 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £5.40

Train operators

Chiltern Railways, Great Western Railway

Plan your journey from Oxford to London

Considering a trip to London and need more information on how to take the train from Oxford to London? Start your search with us today!

Usually, the train from Oxford to London takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Every day, there are around 124 trains running on this popular route.

You can take a direct train from Oxford to London.

Trains on this route are operated by Great Western Railway and Chiltern Railways.

From Oxford to London, tickets start from just £5.40. Booking tickets in advance can be cheaper than buying on the day of travel.

Use our Journey Planner to pick the dates and times you want to travel, and we’ll give you all the options.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Oxford to London?

Want to know more about your journey from Oxford to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Oxford to London?

You can get from Oxford to London by train in 1 hour and 15 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 51 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Oxford to London take?

The average journey time by train between Oxford and London is 1 hour and 15 minutes, with around 124 trains per day running on this route. 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.

How much does the train from Oxford to London cost?

Train tickets from Oxford to London can start from as little as £5.40 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Oxford and London by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Oxford to London is 51 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Oxford to London?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from Oxford to London start at £5.40§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

4. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

6. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Oxford to London is right for you.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Get cheap train tickets with split ticketing

What is split ticketing? 

Split ticketing is a clever way to save money on train travel. Instead of buying one ticket for your whole journey, you buy separate tickets for different sections of the trip — and it often works out cheaper.

You’ll still travel on the same train, with no need to change along the way (in most cases). It’s a simple way to cut the cost of your journey!

How do split tickets work?

Split ticketing is when you buy separate tickets for different sections of your journey, rather than one ticket from start to finish.

Your journey is divided into smaller segments on paper, but you don’t need to leave the train. The only requirement is that the train stops at each of the stations shown on your tickets.

If asked, just make sure to show the correct ticket for the part of the journey you're travelling on.

Train operators from Oxford to London

Two train companies operate services between Oxford and London: Great Western Railway (GWR) and Chiltern Railways.

Great Western Railway 

Great Western Railway (or GWR) links London with the West of England and South Wales. As well as running regular services between Oxford and London, GWR offers smooth and hassle-free travel to top destinations like the Cotswolds, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Swansea and Penzance. 

Learn more about Great Western Railway (GWR). 

Chiltern Railways 

Chiltern Railways connects London with towns and cities across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Chiltern’s London–Oxford route is relatively new, having been completed in 2016. Chiltern’s London terminus is London Marylebone station. 

Learn more about Chiltern Railways.

GWR travel classes from Oxford to London

On most GWR services, you’ll have a choice between Standard Class and First Class. Compare the two offerings here: 

Standard

Keep it affordable with Standard Class. You’ll still have a comfortable trip though! Enjoy the following amenities: 

Free WiFi 

Comfortable seating 

Fold-down table at every seat 

Plug sockets 

✔

✔

✔

✔

First Class 

Kick back and relax with First Class, so you can arrive in London feeling refreshed. You’ll get everything from Standard Class, as well as: 

Wider seats with extra legroom 

Lounge access in London Paddington 

Complimentary refreshments* 

Enhanced WiFi 

✔ 

✔ 

✔ 

✔ 

*on selected long-distance trains only

Chiltern Railways travel classes from Oxford to London

You’ll find only Standard Class seating on Chiltern Railways trains. But there are more than enough amenities on board to make your journey comfortable: 

Free WiFi 

Comfortable seating 

✔

✔

Services on board trains from Oxford to London

How do I get to Oxford train station?

Oxford station is just half a mile west of the city centre. Depending on where you are in the city you have various options for getting to the station.

On foot: It’s a 15-minute walk from the Bodleian Library to Oxford station. 

By bus: There are six bus stops directly in front of the station (and two on nearby Park End Street). Buses from across Oxford and the surrounding region stop at the train station. 

By car: Oxford station has a short stay car park right next to the station building and a long stay car park just south of the station on the other side of the main roundabout. 

Everything you need to know about Oxford station

GWR trains to London depart Oxford station from platform 3 and Chiltern Railways trains to London depart from platforms 1 and 2.

In the station you’ll find the following: 

  • Ticket office and machines 
  • Supermarket 
  • Newsagents 
  • Food and drink kiosks/cafés 
  • Waiting room 
  • Toilets (including disabled toilets) 
  • ATM 
  • Ramped access to platform from street 
  • Induction loop 
  • Pick Up and Set Down area 
  • Short and long stay car parks 
  • Bike storage 
  • Vending machines 

Arriving in London from Oxford

Find out how to get around London after you arrive in London Paddington or London Marylebone.

Connections from London Paddington  

Great Western Railway (GWR) trains from Oxford arrive at London Paddington station. Paddington is on the northwestern edge of Central London and is well served by public transport options:  

  • Underground: For Bakerloo (brown), District (green) and Circle (yellow) line trains (via Victoria), head directly down the stairs on the concourse opposite the platforms. For Hammersmith and City (pink) line and Circle (yellow) line trains via Baker Street (and to Hammersmith) follow the signs towards platform 12, head upstairs to the taxi rank and continue walking till you reach the tube station entrance on your left. For the Elizabeth Line (purple), exit the station by platform 1 and head down the escalators/lifts to the station.
  • Bus: You can catch buses from bus stops on Praed Street immediately in front of the station. The following routes serve Paddington station: 7, 7X, 16, 23, 27, 36, 205, N7, N27, N205.
  • Taxi: You can hail a black cab from the taxi rank above platform 12. The taxi rank is accessible by escalators and lifts.

Connections from London Marylebone  

Chiltern Railways trains from Oxford arrive at London Marylebone station. Marylebone is on the northwest edge of Central London and a 5-minute walk from Baker Street.  

  • Underground: You’ll find the entrance to Marylebone’s Underground station on your immediate right as you exit the ticket barriers. From here you can catch Bakerloo (brown) line trains. Take the Bakerloo line one stop to Baker Street and you can change to Jubilee (silver), Metropolitan (magenta), Hammersmith & City (pink) and Circle (yellow) line trains.
  • Bus: You can catch the 2 and N2 buses at bus stops directly in front of the station entrance, or the 453 on nearby Great Central Street. There are also a further 6 routes available on Marylebone Road.
  • Taxi: There is a taxi rank directly in front of the station.

Using public transport in London

Public transport in London is managed by Transport for London (TfL). Find out how to pay for your journeys in London:

Paying for your TfL journey

While you can buy single and return tickets and paper travelcards from ticket machines in stations, it is more convenient—and often cheaper—to pay for your journey using an Oyster card or using a contactless card.  

  • Oyster Cards can be bought from tube stations and in Oyster Ticket Stops (commonly found in newsagents or kiosks). They cost £7 each and can be topped up with credit at ticket machines at tube stations or Oyster Ticket Stops.  
  • You can use your contactless bank card or device to pay for journeys.  

Touching in and out 

On buses and trams in London, you only need to touch in. For all other journey types (Tube, rail, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth Line etc.), you need to touch in with your card at the beginning of your journey and out at the end. If you don’t touch in/out, you’ll be charged a maximum fare.  

Things to do in London

Your train will drop you off right in the middle of London, so you have more time to make the most of the city. Here’s a bit of inspiration to help you plan your trip.

Day trip to London – a one-day itinerary

14 of the best things to do in London

A guide to the best restaurants in London

6 of the best places to go shopping in London

5 of the best museums to visit in London

The ultimate guide to nightlife in London

Where to travel next after London

London is the UK’s biggest rail hub. From here you can catch a train to virtually any corner of the country. Why not buy a ticket and see where the rails take you?

London to Brighton

London to Cambridge

London to Manchester

London to Edinburgh

London to Bristol

London to Liverpool

London to Birmingham

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.

Getting from Oxford to London by train in less than an hour

Getting to Oxford station

After a nice day out visiting the main sites in Oxford, we walked back to Oxford station to head home. As it started raining heavily, we rushed back to the station, wandered in and out of the different shops available, and grabbed a drink while waiting for our train to depart.

Boarding the train

As we bought our digital tickets beforehand, we just showed them to the rail staff before boarding. We jumped on a modern GWR train and headed to our two seats facing forwards in Standard Class. The train was a bit busier compared to when we departed from London in the morning as people were heading out for the night.

The journey

It took us about 50 minutes to get from Oxford to London – the train only stopped at Reading and Slough before reaching the grand London Paddington station. Once we arrived, we hopped off and climbed down the stairs towards the underground station entrance, following the super easy signs. All in all, it was a comfortable and quick journey after an amazing day out in Oxford.

About Paola

Paola, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Oxford and London.

Taking a trip with GWR from Oxford to London

I work in London one day a week and I commute by train. Usually, this means taking a GWR train from Oxford station to London Paddington station.  

Getting to the station 

Generally, the whole city is well-connected to the rail station by bus. I travel to the station from the outskirts of Oxford, so I take a bus to the city centre; from here, it’s around a 15-minute walk to the rail station. There are also many buses which run directly to the rail station from every corner of the city. 

I pick up a coffee on my way to the station, but there are also a few different food and drink outlets in the station itself if you want to pick up drinks and snacks for the journey. 

Boarding the train at Oxford station 

At Peak times, the station can get quite busy! That said, Oxford station isn’t that big so it’s unlikely you’ll get lost in any crowds. If you’re travelling at an Off-Peak time, such as the middle of the day, it’ll likely be quieter. 

Oxford station has ticket gates, so I scan my digital ticket at the barriers and then make my way to the correct platform. GWR trains to Paddington usually stop at platform 3, which is the platform directly after the ticket gates (great if you’re running late, though I wouldn’t recommend it!). 

I normally buy Advance tickets which have seat reservations included, which can help guarantee a seat. It’s also advisable to head towards the back of the train, as this tends to be quieter.  

Again, as I often travel at Peak times, the train is usually very busy. The train is sometimes short-formed and has 5 carriages rather than 9, so I can end up standing for the entire hour-long journey. 

On board the train from Oxford to London 

GWR trains are great inside. There are plug sockets at every seat, luggage storage above the seats and at each end of every carriage, plus free WiFi so I can message my friends on the journey. There are also toilets, and on some trains to London there’s an at-seat trolley service for light refreshments. 

I often commute with a friend and we try to get seats together, but I always bring a book to read on the journey in case it’s too busy for this.  

GWR trains from Oxford to London stop at Reading, and some also stop at Didcot Parkway. Reading is a big interchange station where lots of people get on or off the train. 

Arriving in London

All going well, after just under an hour, the train from Oxford arrives at London Paddington station. This station also has ticket barriers on most platforms, so I have to scan my ticket once more to get out. Then I head to the office on the Elizabeth line – Paddington station is very well-connected to the rest of central London by public transport, which is great whether you work in the city or are just visiting for the day! 

About Kristina

Kristina, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Oxford and London.

Travelling from Oxford to London with Chiltern Railways

When travelling from Oxford to London, you have two options: travel to London Marylebone with Chiltern Railways, or travel to London Paddington with GWR.  

On this day, I chose to take a Chiltern Railways train as it was cheaper when I booked the tickets. (It’s always worth comparing both options if you’re a budget-savvy traveller like me!) 

Oxford station 

Oxford station isn’t huge, so it’s pretty easy to navigate. There are toilets, seating areas and a ticket office. The station also has a range of food and drink outlets, so you can pick up a coffee or snacks for the journey. Bear in mind that Chiltern trains have no onboard catering facilities. 

When I arrived, I simply scanned my ticket at the gates and headed to Platforms 1 and 2 – turn right as you enter the platforms area. Chiltern Railways trains always leave from one of these two platforms.  

Boarding the train 

Oxford is a terminus for Chiltern Railways trains, so my train was waiting on the platform when I arrived at the station.  

These trains are usually around 5 carriages long; if it looks busy it’s worth walking to the front of the train to see if there’s more space. 

On board a Chiltern Railways train from Oxford to London 

The services on board Chiltern Railways trains depend on which type of train is running on your route. Generally, blue trains have more seats per carriage but fewer facilities on board. Grey trains, on the other hand, have seats in a 2+2 formation with plug sockets at your seat. 

One thing to bear in mind is that there isn’t a lot of space for storing luggage, so if you’re bringing a suitcase or two you may find yourself standing up near the doors with it! That said, there is an overhead rack suited to smaller bags and rucksacks. 

Chiltern Railways trains from Oxford to London are diesel trains, which means they can be a bit loud and clunky at times along the route. That said, they’re punctual and clean inside. 

Arriving at London Marylebone 

London Marylebone station is easily accessible by public transport. I got off the train and headed to Marylebone’s Tube station (immediately on your right as you exit through the ticket gates). There are also buses which serve the surrounding area. 

I was pleased that the train arrived at London Marylebone station on time. These trains are usually very reliable. Even though this is the slower option on paper when it comes to travelling from Oxford to London by train, I have found that it’s much rarer to have delays or cancellations on this route. 

Overall, I would travel with Chiltern Railways again on this route. 

About Kristina

Kristina, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Oxford and London.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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