Arriving for a day trip in Oxford
When I returned to England from France Oxford was a much easier choice to land in than a return to the great metropolis of London would have been. London is a vast metropolis in comparison and parking is to say the least problematic.
Oxford is much more easy. Whilst it's true that street parking and driving in the centre is on a par with London in terms of cost and restrictions, in Oxford there are more good value, fast and reliable alternatives.
Park and Ride options, two train stations and our own bus that runs up and down to London all day, all night, 365 days a year and a bus service to Heathrow airport which beats the train hands down in my view contribute to Oxford’s pleasant provincialism.
If you do want to bring your car into town there are a few things to know.
Essentially, ‘on-street’-parking is sought after and expensive and, crucially, is mostly limited to two hours.
Underground and commercial car parks below are not subject to this limit.
Below-ground parking
If your vehicle exceeds this height—such as certain vans, SUVs with roof boxes, or wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs)—you may encounter difficulties accessing the car park. For such vehicles, the Worcester Street Car Park is a suitable alternative, as it has no height restriction, provided the vehicle fits within a standard marked bay
Westgate Shopping Centre car park, (height restriction of 2.00 metres (6 feet 7 inches).
Gloucester Green, just off George Street, Gloucester Green 2.10 metres (6 feet 11 inches).
Gloucester Green underground car park is not accessible to wheelchair users or parents with buggies, as it lacks a lift.
If you have an aversion to underground carparks, or a particularly high vehicle Worcester Street car park, is conveniently located at the bottom of George Street.
One client was recently delighted with the parking spaces rented to non-guests at the Randolph Hotel right in the centre of town just opposite the Ashmolean Museum.
Park and Rides
You can park your car inexpensively and then hop on a bus into town.
Oxford is served by six, if you include Bicester Village.
Oxford Park and Ride info from City Council
Oxford has two Rail stations
Buying tickets
Getting a good deal for rail journeys can be labyrinthine and confusing even for Brits. The most widely recommended way to do it is using the App or website Trainline.
You can catch the train from Paddington Station straight into the City Centre.
Marylebone is an alternative London station. While less famous than Paddington, nowadays it is way more charming. Marylebone Station is situated west along Euston Road, from Baker Street. Very close to the now quite chic Marylebone High Street.
The Marylebone train has different stops en route to Oxford, particularly Bicester Village, a shopping Mecca to shoppers from all over the world. I was baffled to learn that hordes of visitors visit every year without a second thought for Oxford‘s 1000 years of amazing history and architectural treasures.
Oxford locals often use Oxford Parkway station to the North of the city. Another stop unique to the Marylebone Line. Here, we can leave our cars inexpensively.
From Oxford Station, if you would like a scenic and informative alternative to walking to the City centre you can hop on to the open top bus service and Rail and Ride.
The Oxford Tube is a service which runs all through the day and night, 365 days a year. It departs from Oxford’s Gloucester Green, up the London Road stopping in Notting Hill, Marble Arch and more en route to Victoria Station. Not as great at busy traffic times.
The Oxford Tube calls into the Thornhill Park and Ride, making it easy for locals to use this convenient service, compare with rail cost, and able to leave their cars somewhere reasonably priced to park. Can be a less expensive alternative to rail but will take longer.