Oxford Travel Options
Travel Well,
Live Well
All the travel info you need
Whether you’re travelling for work, visiting the city or just trying to get from A to B, Oxford Travel Options is here with all the details you need on bus tickets, cycling, lift shares, route planning and much, much more.
Travel Well,
Live Well
All the travel info you need
Whether you’re travelling for work, visiting the city or just trying to get from A to B, we’re here with all the details you need on bus tickets, cycling, lift shares, route planning and much, much more.
Travel Well,
Live Well
All the travel info you need
Whether you’re travelling for work, visiting the city or just trying to get from A to B, we’re here with all the details you need on bus tickets, cycling, lift shares, route planning and much, much more.
Travel Well,
Live Well
All the travel info you need
Whether you’re travelling for work, visiting the city or just trying to get from A to B, we’re here with all the details you need on bus tickets, cycling, lift shares, route planning and much, much more.
Why would I change how I travel?
Not everybody is ready to scrap their car and jump on a bike. And a lot of people have been pushed to live further out, by rising house prices and demand for space, which is neither fun nor fair. Sometimes driving really is the best, or even only, option. But you might be surprised by how a little change to something like doing the school run, or getting to work can actually save you money, reduce your stress level and improve your happiness in the long run. Lots of people in Oxford and the surrounding area are trying new ways to get around; and we’re here to help you give it a go. So have a look around, explore your options and you might just like what you find.
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Alternatives to driving can be cheap, and even free! Once you add up all the costs of keeping a car - parking, insurance, petrol, maintenance and more - you might find that other options save you money.
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Time’s precious - don’t waste it! You’ll be amazed how much faster swapping to a different form of travel can be. And even if some journeys are a little longer, just think of all the things you can do when not behind the wheel, from exercise to life admin, phone chats to emails; leaving you more time to enjoy the things you really love.
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Get active! Travel that involves moving your body is better for you, better for the NHS and better for the whole city. No wonder The Royal College of Surgeons has called exercise a “miracle cure.” Being physically active, even for 20 minutes a day, can reduce your risks of dementia, depression, heart disease and even certain cancers. No need for a fancy gym membership. It's as simple as walking to the bus stop or cycling to work.
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A sense of belonging! Getting out of your car gets you back into your community - chatting to neighbours, discovering new places, bumping into friends and learning more about where you live.
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No more lates! Without traffic, petrol queues and parking to contend with, you might find that other modes of transport - especially cycling, scooting and walking - make it easier to plan your journey and arrive on time. Take the guesswork out of transport and take control of your journey.
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Take a break! We all know that driving can be stressful. Other drivers, sitting in traffic, car trouble, hunting for parking - no wonder you can never switch off! But by letting someone else do the driving, or making a journey under your own steam, you can relax, take a breather and enjoy the benefits of being more active.
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The great outdoors! Instead of being stuck in your car, there are lots of ways to get about that are cleaner, greener and more fun. Whether it’s walking through the park, cycling by some water or just enjoying some fresh air on the way, time in nature has been proven to lower stress, improve our mental health and help us cope with whatever the day throws at us.
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And breathe…. With fewer cars on the road, the air quality will be better for all of us. And that’s important: air pollution has been found to cause asthma in children, heart and lung disease in adults, low birth weight in babies and dementia in older adults, among many other health problems. Cutting air pollution by 20% in Oxford would reduce the number of lung cancer cases in the city by 6%.
Benefits
Top tips
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The best time to try something new is… now! You don’t need the perfect set up - just have a try and see how it goes. There are lots of us trying new ways to travel at the moment, so join in!
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You don't have to give up a car or switch every journey to enjoy the benefits of driving less. Even just trying an alternative a few days a week can make a difference - to your mood, your wallet, your emissions and your family. Maybe start small - try leaving the car at home when the weather is nice and you’re not having to ferry anyone else around. Or try cycling at the weekend, when the roads are already quieter.
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We've compiled a tonne of resources to help you get started - from how to get the best deals on bus and train tickets, to how to begin cycling safely and inexpensively, to how lift sharing works. You can also explore what travel benefits your employer offers to make sure you're taking advantage of the discounts and services that are available to you.
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We all get stuck in our routine sometimes - we’re only human. That’s why it’s good to learn what other options are out there. Discovering a traffic-free cycle route on the river, a Park & Ride within easy distance of home, a fast shuttle bus into work, or a pleasant walking route through the park on the way to the train station can all make getting where you need to go not just more sustainable, but more enjoyable. Find out what’s on offer for the journeys you most want to make on our Travelling within Oxford and Travelling in and out of Oxford pages.
