By 
Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon are only about 40 miles apart, but there’s no direct train between them. The quickest options are the train with one change, which takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, or driving, which takes about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Here’s how each option works, plus the bus route and a day tour that can drop you in Stratford.
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Oxford to Stratford at a glance
| How | Time | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | About 1h 45m – 2h | One, usually at Leamington Spa or Banbury | Most people without a car |
| Car | About 1h – 1h 15m | – | Flexibility; see parking below |
| Bus | Longer; check times | One, at Chipping Norton | Scenic, cheap, not in a hurry |
| Day tour | Full day | – | Seeing the Cotswolds on the way |
By train
Warwickshire’s official tourism site says the most straightforward rail route from Oxford is via Leamington Spa or Banbury, with a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. From Leamington Spa, trains run to Stratford-upon-Avon station, a short walk from the town centre.
- Check the connection. Trains from Leamington to Stratford are less frequent than the main line, so look at the full journey before you buy, not just the first leg. Our live Stratford train times show the next departures from Stratford.
- Which Stratford station? Stratford-upon-Avon station is the one for the town centre. Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway is on the edge of town by the Park & Ride.
- Times and tickets: use National Rail Enquiries for the current timetable.
By car
There are two main routes, and both take about an hour to an hour and a quarter without traffic:
- Motorway: A34 north from Oxford to the M40, then leave at junction 15 and follow the A46 to Stratford.
- Scenic: the A44 through Woodstock to Chipping Norton, then the A3400 through Long Compton and Shipston-on-Stour into Stratford. It’s shorter, and runs along the edge of the Cotswolds.
Our Stratford parking guide covers every car park and price, including the free first hour at Bridgeway and the Park & Ride.
By bus
There’s no direct bus, but you can do it with one change at Chipping Norton:
- Oxford to Chipping Norton: Stagecoach’s S3, via Woodstock (for Blenheim Palace). It runs regularly through the day.
- Chipping Norton to Stratford: Stagecoach’s route 50, via Long Compton and Shipston-on-Stour. It runs far less often, so plan around it.
Check both legs on Traveline before you set off. Note that National Express says its Stratford-upon-Avon stop is now used for event services only, so don’t plan on a regular coach.
On a day tour through the Cotswolds
Go Cotswolds launched a day tour from Oxford in January 2026, in 16-seat minibuses. It leaves central Oxford in the morning, stops at Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, and then gives you more than two hours in Stratford. You can ride back to Oxford, or stay in Stratford if you’re spending the night. Check dates and prices with Go Cotswolds when you book.
When you arrive
Staying over? See our guide to where to stay in Stratford. If you’re coming for a show, our Royal Shakespeare Theatre guide covers seats, dinner and timing, and the road closures page lists anything that might hold you up.
Oxford to Stratford: quick answers
Is there a direct train from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon?
No. You’ll usually change once, at Leamington Spa or Banbury. The whole journey takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
How far is Stratford-upon-Avon from Oxford?
About 40 miles, or roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter by car.
Can you get a bus from Oxford to Stratford?
Not directly. Take Stagecoach’s S3 to Chipping Norton, then route 50 to Stratford. Check times on Traveline, as route 50 isn’t frequent.
Alex Harrington
Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.
