Canterbury to Oxford bus with National Express

Fri 18 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Canterbury to Oxford

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£33

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£39

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

4 h 38 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

5 h 16 m

Buses on 18 Sept

4

Distance

170 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Canterbury to Oxford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Canterbury to Oxford will cost around £39 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £33.

Fast coaches

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 4 buses from Canterbury to Oxford, including 4 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 170 km distance in an average of 5 h 16 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 38 m .

The slowest buses will take 5 h 59 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National Express
    5:305h41
    Canterbury
    11:11Oxford
    £331One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    4:204h47
    Canterbury
    9:07Oxford
    £351One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    19:554h38
    Canterbury
    0:33Oxford
    £431One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    14:155h59
    Canterbury
    20:14Oxford
    £461One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Canterbury to Oxford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Canterbury to Oxford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £34 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 40m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £34, while a train costs an average of £44.

Distance: 170 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£34

Average Price

Cheapest

£44

Average Price

£32

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 3m

Average total duration

4h 33m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 40m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 10m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 36m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

Southeastern

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Canterbury to Oxford is a coach with an average price of £34.

This is compared to other travel options from Canterbury to Oxford:

A coach is £9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Canterbury to Oxford costing on average £44.

The fastest way to travel from Canterbury to Oxford is by train with an average journey time of 2h 10m.

Other travel options to Oxford take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 33m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Oxford including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £34 compared to roughly £32 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-2.07. The journey takes 4h 33m versus 2h 36m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Canterbury to Oxford bus times

The table below shows live departures for Canterbury to Oxford coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express14:45 Canterbury
5h36
20:21 Oxford0 changesdirect
National Express17:50 Canterbury
5h13
23:03 Oxford0 changesdirect
National Express18:50 Canterbury
5h03
23:53 Oxford0 changesdirect
Friday 18 September
National Express4:20 Canterbury
4h47
9:07 Oxford0 changesdirect
National Express5:30 Canterbury
5h41
11:11 Oxford0 changesdirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Canterbury to Oxford by coach or train

Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Canterbury to Oxford coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Canterbury to Oxford.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Canterbury to Oxford.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Canterbury to Oxford.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Canterbury to Oxford.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Canterbury to Oxford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Canterbury to Oxford run on average 18 times per day, taking around 4h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £30 but you can travel from only £17 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 04:20, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 170 km distance in 4h 55m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17
Distance
170 km
Average bus duration
4h 33m
Cheapest ticket price
£30
Buses per day
18
Fastest bus
4h 55m
First bus
4:20
Last bus
23:45
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17

Bus providers: National Express from Canterbury to OxfordYou can travel by bus between Canterbury to Oxford with National Express for as low as £17. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
4h 55m
Cheapest National Express Price
£30
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Complete guide to Oxford

Things to do in Oxford

Discover the best of Oxford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Oxford trip today.

  • Must visit

Ashmolean Museum

Oxford’s leading museum of art and archaeology, with Egyptian mummies, classical sculpture and paintings in an elegant university setting.

  • Must visit

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

A fascinating natural history museum known for dinosaur skeletons, minerals and a dramatic neo-Gothic hall. Great for families and curious adults alike.

  • Must visit

Pitt Rivers Museum

A compact museum exploring world cultures through objects from many regions. Thoughtful displays make it a rewarding stop beside the natural history museum.

Pound sterling (£)

Oxford is pricier than many UK cities, with high hotel rates and dining costs, though buses and casual eats are manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£70+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, such as small change.

FAQs: Canterbury to Oxford coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Canterbury to Oxford by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Oxford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Canterbury to Oxford can start from as little as £30 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Canterbury to Oxford is £34; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Canterbury to Oxford is 4h 55m to travel the 170 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Canterbury to Oxford leaves at 4:20. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Canterbury to Oxford leaves at 23:45.
There are 18 coaches a day from Canterbury to Oxford which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Canterbury to Oxford, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Oxford. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Canterbury and Oxford and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Canterbury , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Canterbury, University Of Kent, Canterbury, Bus Station . When arriving in Oxford , you can end your route in coach stations like Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Canterbury, University Of Kent, which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Oxford from Canterbury is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 55m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Canterbury to Oxford is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Oxford including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Canterbury to Oxford:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Canterbury to Oxford for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Canterbury to Oxford depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Canterbury to Oxford.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Canterbury to Oxford:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Canterbury to Oxford:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Canterbury to Oxford.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Canterbury to Oxford with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Canterbury to Oxford with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Canterbury to Oxford with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Canterbury and Oxford

Most Canterbury to Oxford buses use the Canterbury, University Of Kent to Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Canterbury and Oxford bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Canterbury
Arrival bus stations in Oxford

Which Canterbury station do buses to Oxford leave from?

Buses from Canterbury to Oxford leave from Canterbury, University Of Kent. The station is 2 km from Canterbury city centre at University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, United Kingdom.
Canterbury, University Of KentUniversity of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, United KingdomWifiParkingATMAccessibilityWC
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury, University Of Kent from Canterbury city centre

Canterbury, University Of Kent is 1 km from Canterbury city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus4, 4X, 5, 6, 6A

Canterbury, University Of Kent bus station facilities and services

Canterbury, University Of Kent has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located on campus, near the student union.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Elevators, ramps.

Canterbury, Bus StationCanterbury bus station, Canterbury CT1 2SY, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury, Bus Station from Canterbury city centre

Bus21, 400, 401, Uni1, Uni2 · 14m · £3 · every ~22 min

Canterbury, Bus Station bus station facilities and services

Canterbury, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafes and eateries within a short walk.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Canterbury, Bus Station. ATMs are aTM located outside the entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Canterbury, Bus Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Canterbury, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury, Bus Station: Wheelchair accessible with assistance.

More options for your journey from Canterbury to Oxford

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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