My family of four will be visiting the Oxford area for 4 days at the beginning of June. We're arriving via train from Heathrow and want to look at options for car rentals near the train station. Our train should arrive around 4:30PM Wednesday afternoon on 31 May, and we'll be leaving Sunday, 4 June around lunchtime. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
Most of the car hire majors are strung along Ferry Hinksey Road, off the Botley Road to the west of the station. However, this road is closed at the railway bridge for traffic before these for major construction. So there isn't an easy way for them to pick you up as they might normally do although you can walk to them. Doesnt seem if any of these are open Sundays though. Enterprise further down the Botley Road does open Sundays though, around 11am.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
If you're arriving from Heathrow, the coach would be a better option than the train in my opinion.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
Given that the railway line is expected to still be closed for Bridge Reconstruction work the coach is absolutely the better alternative. It arrives at Gloucester Green Bus and Coach station in the City Centre
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
The coach station is somewhat further away from the car hire places but you might be able to get the Enterprise branch in Cowley to pick you up.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
True, but a short trip on a city bus should bring you closer to Ferry Hinksey Road, so that is not a big problem in my opinion. But while I've been in Oxford many times, I've not spent much time west of the rail line so I'm not too familiar with that area.
However, I'm not sure renting a car upon arrival is a great idea. I don't know what the OP is planning, but for 4 days in Oxford, you'd want to spend at least two of those days in Oxford itself IMHO. And paying rental fees and parking for a car to sit and collect dust might not be the best way to spend your holiday money.