Travelling to and getting around Oxford & Oxford Brookes University

Oxford has an extensive rail travel network with a number of providers using the city's central Oxford station and Oxford Parkway station (located north of the ring road).

Once you're at Oxford Brookes you'll find your way around in no time. Our campuses, halls of residence and the City Centre are easily accessed by Oxford's bus network. Buses also go to the Cowley Road and Oxford rail station. If you prefer to walk or cycle, there are designated routes to the University.

Travel to Oxford from International Airports

Oxford is about 80 kilometres from London (Heathrow Airport) and further from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports, the sea ports and central London.

Buses to Heathrow airport take about 70-90 minutes and run regularly during peak times.

Buses to Gatwick run every hour during peak times, the journey takes an hour and a half.

Click here is some further travel information from UK airports including downloadable travel guides.

Travel to Oxford by Train

• Great Western Railway - Operate trains from Oxford to Reading and London Paddington. Change at Didcot Parkway for South Wales and the West of England
• Cross Country Trains - Operate services from Scotland, North of England, Midlands and the South Coast to Oxford
• Chiltern Railways - Operate between from Oxford station and London Marylebone, via Oxford Parkway station, Bicester Village, Thame and Haddenham Parkway, Princes Risborough and High Wycombe. The Park and Ride Bus 500 services the Oxford Centre station and Oxford Parkway station.
• TrainLine - Railway timetables, ticket booking and accommodation
• National Rail Enquiries - Phone: 03457 48 49 50 (Overseas +44 20 7278 5240)

Buses to the Campus and Around Oxford

You can find out more about local services on our dedicated Bus and Coach pages.

There is a direct bus to Brookes Headington Campus including from the station (400) and from Oxford High Street (Stage Coach Bus 8). Several other bus routes connect our campuses, the surrounding area and city centre. These include the 700 and 900 (Stagecoach) X3 (Oxford Bus Company) X20 (Redline Buses)

The Oxford Tube Bus from London stops outside the campus too but do allow for traffic.

Walking

It takes about 10 minutes from Headington Campus to walk to the Cowley Road and about 30 minutes into the city centre. If you would like to walk to campus there are maps on our travel pages.

Taxis

Here are some local Taxi companies:

001 - +44 (0) 1865 240 000

Royal Cars - +44 (0) 1865 777 333

Go Green - +44 (0) 1865 922 222

Uber is also now operational in the Oxford area using the Uber App. 

Road Transport/ Car Parking at Oxford Brookes

Please be aware that parking is VERY restricted in the city and on our campuses, and we strongly advise you not to travel by car. Individuals are encouraged to use public transport including Oxford's Park and Rides. Oxford has recently introduced a congestion charge at specific times of the day. You can pay the congestion charge online online by midnight on the day after you drive through one of the six charge locations.

Oxford Brookes University operates a virtual permit system, linked to vehicle registration. Permits are required for vehicles parking during peak hours (07:00-17:00, Monday to Friday), alongside permit holder daily parking tariff charges.

Blue Badge Holders and Parking

If you are a Blue Badge Holder please email Sarah Matthews ahead of your arrival at bsgconference2026@britishgerontology.org.

Other Useful Travel Links

• Traveline - Public transport info for the UK, (including Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland), plus rail, ferry and coach travel between the UK and Ireland and mainland Europe.
• Student Railcard - Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 (and mature students aged over 26 in full time education) can get a third off the price of most rail fares anywhere in Britain with a Young Persons' Railcard.

Environmental Sustainability

• Travel emissions often constitute the largest part of a conference's carbon footprint. OBU  is very accessible for public transit hubs and we encourage everyone who can do so to use public transport or walk/cycle. 

• Conference accommodation is within walking distance of the main campus. 

• We are offering a virtual attendance option for SIG affiliated symposia to eliminate air and long distance travel for remote participants.

• We are using apps for schedules, e-tickets, and digital signage rather than printing where possible. Please make sure to use Oxford Abstracts programme at the conference.

• You can find clearly labeled recycling and food waste bins throughout the campus. 

• Please bring a refillable water bottle. Water fountains are installed throughout our campus and cafes offer a discount if you have your own coffee cup!