Boasting an extensive network, frequent departures and an eco-friendly transport option, National Express provides a great, affordable option to help you explore the UK.
Through the past years I have travelled from London to many cities across the UK with National Express and recently travelled to Oxford from London Heathrow Bus Station for a day trip.
The total journey only cost £30 per person return, with National Express providing amendable and refundable ticket options. A train journey would have cost over £50. As a Londoner I know that travel to and from the city is not cheap, and National Express provides an affordable and reliable option which allows you to travel in comfort.
Reasons to Choose National Express
- Good for the environment – Aside from the Carbon Dioxide emissions saved compared to trains and cars – National Express are committed to making their coach fleet zero emission by 2035 – ahead of the UK net zero target of 2050. The average age of a vehicle is only three years old and every coach meets the highest possible engine emission standard (Euro VI).
- Network – National Express provide connections to a wide range of destinations across the UK, in order to improve connectivity and reduce journey times for you.
- Safety – Their vehicles are equipped with the latest in safety technology and they have put a significant range of Covid-secure measures in place
- Comfort and amenities – National Express provide modern coaches with comfortable seating with plenty of legroom, free Wi-Fi and USB charging points
- Coach stations and drop off / pick up points are usually well located in central part of cities. We had no problem getting to and from the coach in both London and Oxford
Oxford Day Trip
The journey from London Heathrow to Oxford Coach Station took just over an hour and was a direct trip. The coach station is well located in a central Oxford location and walking distance from all of the sites.
Just the weekend prior to the trip, I was exploring Cambridge with my friends – so it was great to compare these two university cities, both just a short distance out from London.
We arrived in Oxford with a very lose plan on what to see and do, which was just perfect as there was a delight at every corner. The old buildings and winding streets provided a great atmosphere and we soon realised that Oxford is a perfect size to stroll through. Despite finding out the the Oxford Half marathon coincided with our visit, which closed a few streets and made crossing the streets difficult – it provided a great atmosphere.
Here are a few of our highlights and places for you to visit:
Thirsty Meeples
This was the first board game café to open in the UK! We visited one during our trip to Lille, and when we briefly looked at what to do in Oxford we were delighted that the board game café concept was there. We booked Thirsty Meeples a day prior to our visit to avoid disappoint, as we know how popular they are.
The café offers over 2,000 board games, with staff (aka Games Gurus) available to pick the right game for you and set out the rules on how to play. They also offer a range of food and drinks to have whilst playing the games. You are given a 3 hour slot, and it flew by!
Walking Tour
Walking tours are a great way to find out a lot of information about a city in a short amount of time. I have been on many walking tours during my travels in cities such as Copenhagen, Riga and Vancouver.
We decided to go with Footprint tours, and reserved our spots a day before arriving in Oxford. It was a 2-hour tour led by a current Oxford University student who provided an informative insight into Oxford – including its history, key events and information about the university. We were able to tick of many of the sites during the walk including visiting the outside of a few of the colleges, libraries, pubs and shops whilst understanding more about each site.
Do remember that whilst they are a free walking tour, a tip can be made to the tour guide to cover their time and expenses associated with the tour.
Bridge of Sighs
Similar to the bridge found in Cambridge and Venice! Been lucky enough to visit all 3 (including a trip to Cambridge just a week before Oxford), take a pick at your favourite one:
Museums
Whilst we did not visit any during our trip, Oxford boats many interesting museums including:
- Oxford Museum of Natural History
- Ashmolean Museum
- Pitts River Museum
- History of Science Museum
How to Book and Plan Your Journey
The National Express website is easy to use and I would recommend you to book your tickets in advance to avoid any disappoint on the day and to also get the best priced ticket.
My tip would be to create a ‘My Account’ account on the National Express website which will not only save you time when it comes to filling in the booking form but also deducts the Booking Fee cost.
I found the trip with National Express comfortable and efficient, and have no complaints. Aside from the environmental benefits associated with coach travel, the money saved compared to other means of transport was another big benefit.
