Does anyone have experience with the bus from Gatwick to Oxford (and back)? My son has been invited to interview at Oxford (hooray!), and I can travel there with him, but he will need to return home to Prague on his own. He has an 11:30 flight home from Gatwick next Saturday, and we're trying to figure out the best way to get him to the airport. I am wondering 1. whether the Oxford bus stop is easy to find, 2. whether it will be clear where he has to get off at the airport, and 3. whether the bus does in fact take 2 to 2-1/2 hours to get to Gatwick, or whether it's slower. Thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by
Washington DC
27187 posts
The Oxford Bus Company's website probably has most of the info you need.
Here's the webpage with specific information on the Oxford-Gatwick route.
This seems to be the schedule.
I used the train in and out of Oxford but walked past or through the bus station ("Gloucester Green coach station") several times. As indicated on the map accessible from the first link, the bus station isn't very far from most of the university buildings (but there are a lot of them, and I have no idea where your son will be). I don't think your son will have any trouble finding it, and certainly the locals on the street will be able to assist him.
I have no basis for commenting on the reliability of the bus schedule.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5331 posts
The coach starts from the Goucester Green bus station in the centre (usually stand 13) so is fairly easy to find. There are a few other stops in the centre and towards the east which could be more convenient to where he is staying - map is on the website. It stops at both terminals.
As to time, 2.5 hours is a fair average although traffic dependent on the day.
The alternative is via train but this requires a change at Reading.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32825 posts
Saturday traffic on the M25 will likely be lighter on a Saturday morning than on a weekday morning but there is always the possibility of disruption, often for no visible cause.
Considering when he has to check in for his flight home and the length of the journey he will have to wipe the sleep from his tired eyes plenty early.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32825 posts
The 6:57 train to Reading, 9 minutes change time (should be fine), 7:34 from Reading arrives Gatwick at 8:50, total time 1:53. No traffic hassles.
Posted by
OP
Bern, Switzerland
86 posts
Thank you all so much for the help and advice. I did book the tickets on the Oxford bus, and my son knows that he'll have to get up early on Saturday to make the 7:15! Nigel, I wanted us to take the train, which is much faster, but my son was worried about making the change on his own in Reading. It probably would have been fine, but he'll have enough to worry about during his interviews, so if he thinks the bus is easier, that's fine with me. Thanks again, everyone!