transport

Traffic filters are coming: travel tips for getting around Oxford

Oxford’s a brilliant place to live, work and visit - but getting from A to B can feel tricky when the roads are busy and parking is pricey.

Could you help ease congestion? There are times when using a car is necessary, but if we switch to an alternative when we can, even for one or two journeys a week, it could make a big difference.

Right now, journeys in and around Oxford are taking longer as traffic builds up. If more of us choose an alternative to the car for some trips, we can help cut queues, make travel easier for those who do need to drive, and support a more sustainable city overall.

There are lots of ways to travel in and around the city without using a car. With limited (and often expensive) city-centre parking, options like the bus, train and park and ride can be simpler and sometimes quicker than driving.

If you’re not sure where to start, pick one regular journey (like the commute, a weekly shop, or a school run) and try a different mode once a week. Small experiments are often the easiest way to build lasting habits.

Try the bus

Taking the bus instead of driving helps reduce the number of cars on the road. Plus, it can turn travel time into ‘you’ time. Sit back, relax, and maybe even catch up on reading during your commute.

MyBus Oxfordshire makes travelling around the county simpler, with daily and weekly tickets offering almost unlimited travel across more than 150 local bus services run by 12 operators. Whether you’re commuting, visiting friends, heading into town or exploring somewhere new, it gives you a flexible, joined-up way to travel around Oxfordshire without needing separate tickets for different buses.

Discover Oxfordshire’s bus routes. Whether you’re travelling to work, heading into town, or planning a day out, Oxfordshire bus maps can help you see what journeys are possible by bus and how routes connect across the county.

Consider the train for longer trips

If you’re coming in from nearby towns or villages, exploring train services can be a great way to skip the busiest roads and enjoy a more relaxed journey (watching the scenery roll by).

Park and ride can be a great middle ground

Oxford has five park and ride sites around the city. They offer a simple and affordable way to travel into Oxford by bus. Money from Oxford’s temporary congestion charge helps keep fares low for passengers.

Planning your journey

If you’re comparing options, these journey planners can help:

Oxford Travel Options - for info on bus tickets, cycling, lift shares, route planning and more
Traveline – for public transport journey planning.

Park and ride

There are five park and ride sites on the outskirts of Oxford.

Up to mid-August: Up to two adults and three children can claim free bus travel to and from park and ride sites in the city with a valid parking ticket

From mid-August: You can buy a £3 combined ticket that covers parking for up to 16 hours and bus travel for up to five people of any age.

Tickets are valid on any Stagecoach or Oxford Bus Company service that visits an Oxford park and ride site (not just the dedicated park and ride routes).

Bus

The main bus companies in Oxfordshire are:

For timetables, fares and service updates, check their websites or use their apps for real-time info on when the next bus is due.

You might also find these maps useful:

Oxfordshire public transport maps – for bus journey planning
Discover Oxfordshire’s bus routes – Bus routes in Oxfordshire from the Oxfordshire Bus Partnership.

MyBus is a flexible ticket that gives almost unlimited bus travel across Oxfordshire.

Travelling from beyond Oxfordshire? The National Express website is a good place to start for nationwide coach travel.

Train

Take the train from your local train station to Oxford station, then connect onwards by bus, bike or on foot.

Visit the National Rail Enquiries website to plan your train journey and look at train times and fares.

Mix your modes

Whether you cycle, walk, or use public transport, mixing and matching what works for you can make your journey more enjoyable. It can also support your physical and mental wellbeing.

Lift-sharing is a simple way to reduce the number of vehicles on the road—and it can make the journey more sociable, too. If you’re sharing with other Oxfordshire residents, it could also help your day passes go further.

You can use the Liftshare app to find someone to share with for one-off trips or regular rides.

It’s also worth checking whether your employer participates in Liftshare For Work, or whether your child’s school uses the HomeRun App to coordinate lift shares for school runs.

For more on the benefits of lift-sharing take a look at Oxford Travel Options. You can also find out how much you could save with Liftshare’s savings calculator.

Car clubs

Car clubs are short-term rentals (often by the hour) and handy when you only need a car occasionally. Car clubs can apply for a permit for unlimited free travel through the traffic filter locations. If you use a car club, ask your operator if they have a permit.

If you do need to drive

When the traffic filters are introduced, you will be able to reach all of Oxford by car. You may just need to take a different route to avoid driving through a filter.

Not sure whether your journey goes through a traffic filter? Plan your journey before you travel so you can feel confident about where you are going.

Locations and operating times

Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way - Monday to Saturday at peak times between 7am - 9am and 3pm - 6pm.
Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s and Thames Street - Monday to Sunday between 7am and 7pm.

If you live in Oxfordshire, you can use one of your day passes to drive through a traffic filter location.

There are also additional permits available for some people, including: