Cheap Train Tickets to Oxford

"I wonder if anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is all like an opera.” William Butler Yeats

Known as the “city of dreaming spires”, and the home of the oldest University in England, Oxford is famous worldwide. Many famous actors, athletes, scientists, poets, and politicians have lived or studied here. Oxford's colleges are set within rustic streets that provide a charm that its visitors will love.

Despite its traditional reputation, Oxford is full of culture. Oli's Thai is a great restaurant, featured in the Michelin guide, and you usually don't have to book. If you're looking for luxury and want to try the best British cooking, go to the Old Parsonage Hotel.

No trip to Oxford would be complete without a visit to one of its many pubs. The Bear Inn on Alfred street is the oldest in the City, dating back to 1241. Anyone taller than six feet will struggle to get in, given the size of the door frames. Another famous pub is The Turf Tavern, said to be Bill Clinton's favourite as a student. It has outdoor seating with three terraces.

Oxford was once the capital of England; some of the oldest buildings in the country are here. The City has the oldest University and the largest bookshop in the world.

Many railway terminals offer direct services to Oxford, including Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street, and London Paddington. Oxford train station is a short walk from the University and the sights of the city centre. It makes more sense to take a train here than in any other city with the cost of parking and the infamous one-way traffic system. Marleybone station has regular services to Oxford from London with Chiltern railways, but Great Western Railway trains are quicker.

We highly recommend going to the Oxford Market; dating from the 1770s, it features independent artisanal stores selling local produce. It's a great place to get breakfast if you can find a seat amongst the crowds!

Getting around Oxford is easy; you can walk around the city centre or take the comprehensive bus system. Stagecoach's Oxford Day Rider can get you to most places in the city for a fixed price.

You can go punting from Magdalen Bridge and take in the sights of Oxford from a different perspective; each boat allows up to five people to punt on the river. Prices are pretty low, but a decent level of physical fitness is needed.

The American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne said that Oxford has the "finest street in England." As you get to the City's busiest area, you will feel like you are in the setting of an old English film, with a twist of modern shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. There are plenty of places you can take the bus to, whether you are heading to the Carfax Tower or the Magdalen Bridge. If you prefer walking, you can visit many of the Oxford Colleges, including All Souls College, Oriel College, and Merton College.

If you want to see more of Oxford's fantastic architecture, head to St Aldate’s to see Christ Church College. It is probably the most famous Oxford college, featuring in The Golden Compass and Harry Potter. It also houses the Tom Tower, Tom Quad, Christ Church Cathedral, and Christ Church Picture Gallery.

For the best view of Oxford, take the bus to Westgate, and you'll find Oxford Castle. It is attached to St George's Tower, which has 100 steps to climb for a majestic view of Oxford.

Oxford has just 2 train stations, Oxford and Oxford Parkway. Oxford Station has 4 platforms and can be reached from major UK stations including London and Birmingham. Oxford Parkway Station is in Water Eaton, just a few miles outside Oxford's city centre.

The most popular route to Oxford is from London Paddington, with trains running regularly, while trains from London also operate from London Marylebone. Oxford Station is also on the North-South CrossCountry route stopping at Manchester Piccadilly, Newcastle, and Birmingham New Street.