Travel
Oxford is very accessible by public transport (rail and bus), but is extremely limited in parking within the city centre where the conference venues are. Please bear that in mind if you decide to drive to Oxford.
By Air
The following airports are close to Oxford and have train or coach (bus) services to Oxford.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most convenient airport to reach Oxford. There is a direct coach service known as the Airline from the airport to Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford. The coach operates every 20 minutes during peak time and 30 minutes for any other time. It starts from the Central Coach Station (near Terminals 2 and 3) and has a stop at Terminal 5. If you arrive at Terminal 4, you need to use free shuttle bus 492 or 480 to reach Terminal 5 first.
When boarding ask for Gloucester Green Bus Station (last stop). St Anne's is about 10 minutes walk via St Giles to the Woodstock Road. There will be black cabs at the bus station if you need one, and the cost is less than £10.
Single and Return tickets can be bought from the driver on the Airline coaches in cash, online via the app, or by a countless credit or debit card. A period return is more economic than two singles. Please note that drivers can only accept contactless credit or debit card payments up to the value of £30. US$ and Euros are accepted, though exchange rates may not be good).
You may buy tickets from the National Express machines or desks at the Airport but there have been incidents that the tickets from them are NOT valid on the Airline coach services.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is also linked to Oxford by the Airline coaches though the frequency is every hour. The Airline coach has stops at both North (stand 4, 5 outside arrivals) and South Terminals (stands 1, 2). Scheduled journey time 2h 25 minutes.
Ticket details and arrival stop at Oxford are as same as those for Heathrow.
London Stansted Airport (LST) is located on the northeast of London. You have to use the Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street first, then go to either Paddington station or Marylebone station by underground, followed by another train journey to Oxford. Alternatively, you may use Easybus , Terravision or National Express coach services to Central London destinations including Victoria, Kings Cross, Marble Arch and Paddington. The coach takes slightly longer than the train, 1-1.5h dependent on traffic.
The Stansted Express stops first at Tottenham Hale, to access the London underground, with Victoria Line connections to Central London.
London Luton Airport (LTN) is on the north of London. You may use National Express coach service or connect by train to Central London, then take rail or coach options to Oxford.
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is also not far from Oxford. Cross Country Trains run a direct train service to Oxford every hour (1h journey time). It can be caught from the railway station of Birmingham International Airport, which is linked to the airport by monorail. Note that there is no rail transport to Oxford from Birmingham International late at night (last train 22:14), and from Oxford to the airport early in the morning.
Delegates who return to the airport from Oxford after the conference are advised to purchase return tickets which could be more economic than two singles. For the Airline coaches, you could buy your tickets directly from the driver provided that you pay in cash, or use a contactless bank card.
By Train
Oxford railway station is located on the western edge of the city centre, about 20 min walk to St Anne’s.
The station is managed by Great Western Railway, with routes from Stratford-upon-Avon to London Paddington, London Marylebone and Bristol, and is also served by Virgin Trains from Scotland to the south coast.
Services to and from London Paddington and Marylebone run regularly during the day (at least four per hour). Note that there are fast trains (about 55 mins) and slow trains (about 90 mins), return tickets similar cost to single. You can purchase tickets from Great Western Railway or any other rail companies.
Eurostar trains use St Pancras railway station in London. The most convenient way to reach Oxford is to take the London Underground on Circle Line or Hammersmith & City Line to London Paddington or Marylebone Station, followed by a direct rail service to Oxford. Eurostar ticket holders can buy a reduced price return rail ticket to Oxford (Euro High Saver) at £35 allowing anytime rail travel and return within 2 months.
If tickets are purchased through the Eurostar site, onward-connections to or from Brussels, Paris or Lille to other French, Netherlands or German destinations including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Koln, Bordeaux and Marseille can often included at little additional price. There are direct Eurostar trains to a number of French destinations.
By Coach (Bus)
Eurolines operates Europe-wide coach (bus) services, some of which go direct to Oxford. Alternatively, they also operate to London Victoria coach station. From here, the X90 Oxford Express or Oxford Tube coach service can be taken.
There are two express coaches to Oxford, operating typically every 10-20 minutes 24h a day to Oxford: the X90 Oxford Express (6:30 – 01:00 from London) and the Oxford Tube (24h). When boarding either service ask for St Aldates or Gloucester Green Bus Station (last stop), the shortest distance to St Anne’s. London stops include Victoria (Buckingham Palace Road by the coach station), Marble Arch, Baker Street and Notting Hill tube. Journey time 1-1.5h. Check websites for exact stop locations. As with The Airline coaches, tickets can be bought on board by cash, contactless card, or online via the app. Period return more economic than single.
By Car
Limited street parking is available in Oxford. There are also severe restrictions on access to many of the streets in the centre of the City. Traditional routes such as High Street/St Aldates/Queen St and Cornmarket are either closed to vehicles or have very limited access and are protected by number plate-reading cameras and frequent police patrols. You have been warned!
The nearest public car parks are at Worcester Street, Gloucester Green, the Westgate Centre and at the Railway Station. They are all expensive. Should you wish to come by car, the advice is to use Park and Ride. You may consider Pear Tree Park and Ride or Water Eaton Park and Ride. Both places have frequent buses to St Anne's.
Within Oxford
St Anne’s College is only 10 min walk from the Gloucester Green Bus Station. The college is about 20 min walk from the railway station. Outside both stations, there are normally an army of black cabs outside waiting for customers. The cost of a cab should be less than £10.
Activities around Oxford
The following websites provide information in and around Oxford.
Immediately after 7OSME, there is an event called Oxford Open Doors 2018. Many colleges and institutions will open their doors to visitors free of charge. The Bodleian Library (Oxford University Library) is also holding a major exhibition on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tickets are free but advance booking is recommended.
