Local buses in Headington
Note: You can save money by purchasing a return bus ticket, and since 24 July 2011 the Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach, and Thames Transit have operated a joint ticketing system, which means that you can return on a bus run by one of the other two companies during the day: news article
If you are going to be making twelve or more single journeys, it is well worth buying a SmartCard. Available here from Oxford Bus Company; but if you want it immediately, go to the office at the top of Debenham’s in Magdalen Street.
Buses running between Headington to Oxford
During the day buses are so frequent and there is such a choice of services that you do not need to check the times: everything going westwards will end up in Oxford centre. You can catch any of the following:
- No. 8 from Barton and No. 9 from Risinghurst. These are run jointly by Oxford Bus Company andStagecoach (replacing the 7C)
- Brookes bus (run by the Oxford Bus Company) is available for everyone, not just Oxford Brookes University students. The U1 bus runs between Wheatley in the east and Harcourt Hill in the west via Headington and the City Centre, while the U5 bus picks up in Cowley and Marston. Beware of university vacations, when there is a reduced service: scroll to end of online timetable.
- Park & Ride (run by the Oxford Bus Company). These fast 800 buses operate between the Thornhill and Seacourt car-parks, but will also pick up passengers at just two stops in Headington: (1) Headington shops (near Kennett Road for Oxford, new stop before the main traffic lights coming back) and (2) Gipsy Lane (for Oxford Brookes University). Note that on the way back to Headington the only stop is a special one just at the start of the Headington shops. These buses also stop at intervening bus-stops after 6.50pm in the evening.
- Arriva bus from the county picks up locally between Headington and Oxford, but is less frequent and so it is not advisable to get a return ticket.
If you want to get straight to the centre, it is best to avoid the No. 10 suite of buses, which take a long route via the John Radcliffe Hospital and north Oxford.
If you want to go to Summertown, you have to get a separate bus going to Kidlington from Magdalen Street in the city centre (Stagecoach No. 7A or 7B, or Oxford Bus Company No. 2).
The City 4/A/B/C serves Wood Farm from Abingdon & Botley (this replaced the City 15 service on 7 May 2011). The revised route provides a new link between Oxford Rail Station and the Churchill Hospital. Wood Farm now has an increased frequency during weekdays with services operating up to every ten minutes.
The City 13 runs from the John Radcliffe Hospital to the city centre via either Oxford Brookes University or the Marston Road (as indicated on the destination display).
The City 23 runs between the John Radcliffe Hospital and the Redbridge Park & Ride, and from 8 May 2011 operates via Headley Way, not Osler Road.
Where to get the bus in Oxford
- Stops E3 and E2 on Castle Street for the 7c and 8 & 9 Headington buses
- Stop G5 on St Aldate’s for the Thornhill Park & Ride.
If you would like to have the option of catching either the Park & Ride or the regular buses, watch out for Park & Rides stopping on the opposite side of Castle Street going south on their way to Thornhill, or catch your return bus from Queen’s Lane in the High Street.
Local buses going east from Headington
- Motts 108 service: to Forest Hill and Stanton St John
- Arriva 280 service: to Thame and Aylesbury
Direct buses to Abingdon from Headington
- The X3 and X13 (Oxford Bus Company) are intended to bring hospital staff into Headington, but can also be used by local people to get from the John Radcliffe Hospital to Abingdon
Hospital Park & Ride
- 600 service: links Thornhill Park & Ride with the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the Churchill Hospital. From 6 June this will operate at peak periods only and be run by Oxfordshire County Council’s own Transport Service
- 700 Hospital Link (RH Buses): links Water Eaton Park & Ride with the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. The City23 runs between the John Radcliffe and Redbridge Park and Ride
- 300 Park & Ride Service from Redbridge (Oxford Bus Company) dovetails with the X13 bus, thus providing a 15-minute service.
Since 13 December 2010, the 700 bus service has only run to and from Kidlington during peak times (before 8.30am and after 3.15pm). At other times it now operates from the Water Eaton Park & Ride (news report).
See also Travel to the John Radcliffe by bus
Headley Way free bus service
A free bus service has operated (just twice a week) since 9 June 2010 to give people from Old Marston and the Headley Way area a chance to get to the Headington shops.
The H1 bus runs from Old Marston – Marston shops – Headley Way – Franklin Road – White Horse – London Road – Headington shops on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Times will be 11.05 at Franklin Road to Headington, and 12.30 return from Headington.
Oxford Bus Company local bus
Stagecoach local bus
Oxford Bus Company Park & Ride
Brookes bus
Thames Travel bus services
Thames Travel runs buses in South Oxfordshire, Reading, Chalgrove, Watlington, Wheatley, Wallingford, and Abingdon.
Real time bus information
This is available online or on your mobile at Oxontime:
