Quick answer: Oxford costs £200–£360 per person for two nights from London, with trains in an hour and most colleges free or under £10 to enter.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Oxford from the UK”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/destinations/oxford/
Oxford is a small city with thirty-nine colleges, each with its own quad and its own rules about visitors. An hour from London, it works as a day trip or a slow weekend of libraries, pubs and punting.
When to go
- Best months: May and June, for the gardens and the river
- Cheapest months: January and February
- Avoid: Graduation weeks in late June and early July, when colleges close
What it costs
| Return train from London | £30–£60 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | £100–£180 |
| Punting, per hour | £20–£30 |
| College entry | Free to £10 |
Typical ranges from our partner searches, 2026-11-12. What you pay depends on when you go and how early you commit.
Getting there
Trains from Paddington in 55 minutes, and from Birmingham in 70. The coach from London takes 1h 40m and costs half as much if you book ahead.
Pricing the trip? See what a weekend in Oxford costs, line by line.
What to see
- Christ Church and Magdalen College, the two to book
- The Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera from the square
- Punting from Magdalen Bridge, even badly
- The Covered Market for lunch, and the Turf Tavern afterwards
Where to stay
City centre for everything on foot, Jericho for restaurants, and Headington for cheaper rooms with a bus into town.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the colleges?
Most are open to visitors outside exam and graduation periods, usually for £3–£10. Check each college's own page.
Is Oxford a day trip or a weekend?
A day covers the highlights; a weekend lets you punt, see a college properly and eat well.
Is it cheaper than Cambridge?
Similar. Both are expensive to sleep in and cheap to walk around.
Also worth a look
- London: The most museums you can see for free anywhere in Europe.
- Cotswolds: Honey stone villages, two hours from London.
- Cambridge: The prettiest half-hour walk in England.