[Updated in Feb 2017]
One of the challenging part of budget travel planning is how to save money while getting to our destination efficiently. Hence when we wanted to travel from London to Oxford during our recent trip, we checked out the various transport options to get there.
Here are the various public transport options that we managed to find:
By Rail
1. Chiltern Railways:
Chiltern Railway runs a train service from London Paddington Station to Oxford Station. The fastest journey time is about 56 mins and it increases if there are more stops along the way. The cheapest tickets are the standard class advance single which are non-refundable but changeable prior to date of travel for a fee. These tickets are typically priced between £4 to £9 per way, depending on the time slot chosen. Frequency is at least a train an hour. (see updates below)
Image credit: Peter Skuce
Ticketing infomation, timetable and online booking of tickets can be done via Chiltern Railways Official Website.
[Updates (Feb 2017): Chiltern Railway service now runs from London Marylebone Station to Oxford and Oxford Parkway Station, with 2 train service every hour. Depending on the number of stops, the fastest train takes under an hour for the journey. Chiltern Railway also runs a bus service 500 connecting Oxford Parkway to Oxford City Centre. Standard class advance single ticket ranges from £5.50 to £32.50 per way, depending on type of ticket and time slot chosen.]
Image credit: Wikipedia
By Coach
There are 4 coach operators to choose from. Choose one that suits your itinerary (pick-up and drop-off points), schedule and budget. The average journey time per way is 100 mins.
1. National Express :
The National Express coach runs from Victoria Coach Station to Oxford Gloucester Green Station. Frequency is varies from 1-2 coaches/hour during off-peak hours to 3-4 coaches/hour during peak hours. Tickets are priced around £14 one way and £17 day/next day return.
Ticketing infomation, timetable and online booking of tickets can be done via National Express website.
[Updates (Feb 2017): The coach tickets on sale on National Express website are for coach journeys on-board Oxford Bus Company OXX90 bus service. See information below on Oxford Express]
2. Oxford Express :
The express coach service X90 runs from Victoria Coach Station to Oxford Gloucester Green Station. Board the coaches from 4 stops in London and alight at 7 stops in Oxford. Free Wifi onboard. Frequency of around one coach every 15 minutes during peak hours. Adults single trip tickets are priced at £13 one way and £16 day/next day return.
Ticketing infomation, timetable and online booking of tickets can be done via X90 Oxford-London website.
[Updates (Feb 2017): Bus Company OXX90 bus service runs up to 3 coach service/hour. Tickets are priced around £16 one way and £20-£38 day/next day return. Online booking charges apply.]
Image credit: Arriva436
3. Oxford Tube :
High frequency express coach service from Victoria Coach Station to Oxford Gloucester Green Station. Board from 5 stops in London and alight at 10 stops in Oxford. Frequency of up to one coach every 10 to 15mins. Free Stagecoach bus connection to and from Oxford Tube. Adults single trip tickets are priced at £14 one way and £16 day/next day return.
Ticketing infomation, timetable and online booking of tickets can be done via Oxford Tube website.
[Updates (Feb 2017): Oxford Tube coach service is available 24 hours a day. Adults single trip tickets are priced at £15 one way and £18 day/next day return.]
4. Megabus :
Last but not least, this is one that is truly budget and definitely worth checking out. Megabus provides low cost inter city bus service from Victoria Coach Station to Oxford Gloucester Green Station. Board from 4 stops in London and alight at 2 stops in Oxford. Free Wifi onboard. Adults single trip tickets are priced from £1 per way for certain slots, if you book early enough. Otherwise, single trip is £5 to £7, which is still cheaper than the rest.
Ticketing infomation, timetable and online booking of tickets can be done via Megabus UK webiste.
[Updates (Feb 2017): Amazingly, there are adults single trip tickets still priced at £1 per way for certain slots with early booking. Otherwise, single trip is £5 to £8. Frequency is varies from 1-2 coaches/hour during off-peak hours to 3-4 coaches/hour during peak hours.]
Image credit: Glen Wallace
Experience:
In the end, we chose to take the train. The main reason was cost of ticket as we had booked the standard class advance tickets. Another reason, though, was to have an excuse to go to Paddington Station and take a photograph with the famous Paddington bear. Hence, we gave up the chance to try megabus (maybe next time).
Unfortunately for us, the train we took had technical faults and we had to change to another train and that caused an hour delay. As it was a peak hour train, it was pretty crowded. We were also not familiar with the train route and number of stops so were constantly on the look out and ready to hop off the crowded train at Oxford. Looking back, it was not the ideal train experience we were looking for but then again, we managed to stretch our dollar.
[Updates (Feb 2017): Chiltern Railway trains do not to stop at London Paddington Station anymore according to their train schedule. The train now stops at London Marylebone Station.]
