The London to Oxford train route connects the capital with the historic university city of Oxford. With frequent, fast services operating throughout the day, travelling by train is the easiest and most popular way to reach Oxford from London.
1. Journey Overview
- Fastest journey: ~50 minutes
- Typical journey time: 50m – 1h 10m
- Distance: ~60 miles (96 km)
- Direct trains: Yes
- Frequency: 2–4 trains per hour
- Main operator: Great Western Railway (GWR)
2. Departure and Arrival Stations
London Paddington
Most London to Oxford trains depart from London Paddington. For station facilities and connections, see the London Paddington Station Guide.
Oxford Station
Oxford Station is the city’s main rail station, located a short walk from the city centre.
3. Route Highlights
Direct services commonly call at:
- Reading
The route uses modern electric and bi-mode trains.
4. Onboard Experience
- Free Wi-Fi on most services
- Power sockets at seats
- Air-conditioned carriages
- Quiet zones on some trains
5. Best Time to Travel
- Peak: Weekday mornings and evenings
- Off-peak: Late morning, midday and evening
- Weekends: Busy with tourists
6. Ticket Tips
- Book Advance tickets early for cheaper fares
- Use Off-Peak tickets for flexibility
- Railcards save up to 33%
7. Useful Connections
- For west country travel, see the Bristol to London Train Guide.
- For Wales travel, check the Cardiff to London Train Guide.
- For northern routes, see the London to Leeds Train Guide.
8. Why Choose the Train?
- Fast and direct journey
- Frequent services
- City-centre to city-centre travel
- Comfortable and stress-free
Part of our Train Routes in the UK series.