I'm attending an event in Oxford on 15th September. Travelling from Ireland and trying to determine the cheapest airport to fly into and the one with the best transport links to Oxford. For a return flight Luton airport is the cheapest and judging by this link there is a bus direct to Oxford.
Would this seem a rational option to take?
the cheapest airport to fly into and the one with the best transport links to Oxford
These are not the same. Heathrow has the best transport links to Oxford, with a frequent coach service - every half hour for most of the day - which takes 90-100mins from the central bus station, rather quicker from T5. The 737 Oxford-High Wycombe-Luton Airport-Stansted Airport (full timetable most easily read here: www.transportforbucks.net/Uploads/Files/737.pdf ) runs 8 times a day, including the wee hours, so has a service frequency of about 2-4 hours depending upon the time of day, and takes a little over 2 hours from Luton Airport to Oxford. So the question is, will you be reasonably confident of getting the specific coach you are aiming for, because if you miss it the next one might be a long wait. If you just miss one, then I suppose you can travel via London, but it's not much fun. Aer Lingus flights to Heathrow are sometimes not much more expensive than Ryanair to Luton, and a small premium might be worthwhile for the more convenient access. But certainly Luton is rather better than Stansted for Oxford. Up to you.
Heathrow would be my preferred option for the flexibility. Not much fun hanging around Luton if you just miss the once every two hour service.
You could possibly also explore via Birmingham International and train to Oxford.
The Dublin - London Oxford service is now suspended.
If time is not a particular consideration SailRail tickets from Dublin at least one way is another option and an interesting day out.
R
If you do not want to go for Heathrow, check Gatwick. The airline bus also runs to Gatwick every 60min.... try to avoid Stansted, Luton and City.... ridiculosly long travels and less frequent.
One of the best options for Oxford is Birmingham International - there's a train station with direct trains to Oxford
The Railway department is the best option to travel from luton to oxford.
Not really. You have to change 3 times, with long connecting walks, and it will take longer than the bus. The issue is that if you have to wait some hours for the bus you may prefer to do that than wait.
Remember you don't have to use the same airport both ways - choose an airport with a frequent service outward and one with a cheap service going home for example
