Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › United Kingdom › England › Oxford › Getting around Oxford

Getting around Oxford

Public transport: 

Most of Oxford’s main sites are within easy walking distance so many visitors to Oxford choose to cover the city centre and even the environs by foot. The local bus network is very comprehensive, however, and it is relatively easy to get on a bus in all parts of the city. The majority of local buses into Oxford city centre are run by the Oxford Bus Company (tel: (01865) 785 400; www.oxfordbus.co.uk) or Stagecoach (tel: (01865) 772 250; www.stagecoachbus.com).

Public transport in Oxford runs frequently throughout the day, but there are no night bus services. The city's main bus and coach station is at Gloucester Green.

Taxis: 

There are many taxi ranks throughout the city, and taxis can also be hailed anywhere on the street. Recommended taxi companies include 001 Taxis (tel: (01865) 240 000), ABC Taxis (tel: (01865) 770 077), City Taxis & Cars (tel: (01865) 201 201), Radio Taxis (tel: (01865) 242 424) and Royal Cars (tel: (01865) 777 333/ 778 866).

Driving: 

A number of one-way systems and a lack of abundant parking means that driving (and especially parking) in Oxford isn’t always easy. It’s not impossible – the number of cars on the street is testament to that – but most locals recommend using the efficient Park & Ride system.

Car hire: 

There are numerous car hire companies operating in Oxford, including Alamo Car Hire (tel: (01865) 240 471; www.alamo.co.uk), Avis (tel: 0844 544 6087; www.avis.co.uk), Budget Rent A Car (tel: (01865) 724 884; www.budget.com), Europcar (tel: (01865) 246 373; www.europcar.co.uk), and Hertz (tel: (01865) 856 555; www.hertz.co.uk).

Bicycle hire: 

Oxford being the compact, student-centric place that it is, bicycles and cycle lanes are found widely. Cyclo Analysts, 150 Cowley Road (tel: (01865) 424 444), offers bicycle hire against a deposit. Summertown Cycles, 202 Banbury Road (tel: (01865) 316 885), offers both short- and long-term bicycle hire.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Thailand Holidays from £349pp
Tailor made beach, city and multi-centre holidays to Thailand.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.