Oxford to London Distance
Straight-Line Distance
~51 miles (83 km) measured directly between central Oxford and central London.
Driving Distance
~56–60 miles (90–97 km) via the M40, taking around 1h 15min to 1h 20min.
Train Journey Time
The fastest direct trains take about 51 minutes, with most services running around 1 hour.
Time Zone
Oxford and London are in the same time zone (GMT/BST), so there is no time difference.
How to Calculate the Distance Between Oxford and London
The exact distance depends on which parts of each city and which route you use. Check any specific starting point in seconds:
Type Oxford, or a specific area like the station, in the "From" field.
Type London, or a specific area like Paddington, in the "To" field.
See the exact straight-line distance and full map for your specific locations.
Train vs Driving: Which Is Faster?
Direct trains under an hour make rail the easiest way to cover this route without worrying about traffic or parking:
Train (Recommended)
- ~51 minutes to just under an hour, city-centre to city-centre
- Direct services from Oxford to London Paddington
- Operated by Great Western Railway, departing every 20-30 minutes
Driving
- ~1h 15min to 1h 20min via the M40 in normal traffic
- Useful if you want to stop en route or need a car in London
- Central London parking is limited and expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Oxford from London?
Oxford is approximately 51 miles (83 km) from London as the crow flies. By road the distance is closer to 56 to 60 miles (90 to 97 km), depending on the exact route and starting point.
How long does it take to drive from Oxford to London?
Driving takes around 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 20 minutes in normal conditions via the M40. Rush-hour traffic approaching London can add significant time.
How long is the train from Oxford to London?
The fastest direct trains take about 51 minutes, with most Great Western Railway services between Oxford and London Paddington running close to an hour.
Is there a time difference between Oxford and London?
No. Both cities are in the UK and use the same time zone (GMT in winter, BST in summer), so there is no time difference between them.
Is Oxford a good day trip from London?
Yes. With direct trains under an hour and frequent departures, Oxford's colleges and historic centre are easily doable in a single day from London.
Planning Your Oxford to London Trip
Train Planning
Book Great Western Railway tickets in advance for the cheapest fares on this under-1-hour route.
Road Trip Planning
Factor in around 1h 15min of driving via the M40, plus extra time for congestion near London.
Day Trip Planning
With under an hour on the train, Oxford's colleges and landmarks are easily doable in a single day.
Shipping & Freight
Businesses use the ~58-mile road distance to estimate delivery timelines between the two cities.
Other Popular UK Distances
Planning more UK travel? Check our UK distance calculator for routes between other British cities.