- Must visit
The Higgins Bedford
Bedford's main museum covers local history, archaeology and communities. A strong first stop for understanding the town and wider county.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£12
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£12
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
2 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
2 h 31 m
Buses on 05 Sept
17
Distance
69 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Oxford to Bedford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Oxford to Bedford will cost around £12 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £12.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 17 buses from Oxford to Bedford, including 17 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 69 km distance in an average of 2 h 31 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 30 m .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 35 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.
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UCX5Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Oxford to Bedford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 3h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, while a train costs an average of £46.
Distance: 69 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£12 Average Price Cheapest | £46 Average Price | £15 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 4m Average total duration 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Oxford to Bedford:
A coach is £33 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oxford to Bedford costing on average £46.
Other travel options to Bedford take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 34m.
Tickets start at around £12 compared to roughly £15 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £2. The journey takes 2h 31m versus 1h 33m 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.
Direct services are operated by National Express, Megabus.
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.
The table below shows live departures for Oxford to Bedford coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UCX5 | 21:30 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h30 | 0:00 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 22:30 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h30 | 1:00 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
UCX5 | 6:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 9:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 7:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 10:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 8:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 11:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 9:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 12:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 10:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 13:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 11:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 14:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 12:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 15:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 13:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 16:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 14:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 17:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 15:50 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 18:25 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 17:00 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 19:35 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 18:00 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 20:35 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 19:00 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h35 | 21:35 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 20:00 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h30 | 22:30 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
UCX5 | 21:00 Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station | 2h30 | 23:30 Bedford, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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.
Buses from Oxford to Bedford run on average 19 times per day, taking around 2h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
There are 19 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:45, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 69 km distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 69 km |
Average bus duration 2h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 19 |
Direct buses 19 |
Fastest bus 2h 30m |
First bus 2:45 |
Last bus 22:30 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Bedford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bedford trip today.
Bedford's main museum covers local history, archaeology and communities. A strong first stop for understanding the town and wider county.
Compact museum inside John Bunyan Meeting telling the story of the Bedford writer and preacher. Useful for literary and religious history.
Small independent gallery showcasing changing contemporary exhibitions. Worth a visit for local creative talent and a quieter art stop in the town centre.
Tree-lined riverside promenade beside the Great Ouse. It is one of Bedford's classic walks, with bridges, memorials and broad views of the water.
Central urban park with lawns, play areas and riverside paths. A practical stop for relaxing between sights and enjoying the water's edge.
Spacious park with sports facilities, open grass and access to the river. Popular with locals and useful for a longer walk away from the busiest streets.
A spiced puff pastry turnover filled with curried mutton or beef. Brought by Bedford’s Italian community, it is the town’s best-known speciality.
The sweet version of the Bedford Clanger, usually filled with jam or apple. It reflects the town’s baking tradition and local lunchbox heritage.
A rich steamed suet pudding with beef and kidney. A classic English comfort dish long associated with traditional pubs and family cooking in Bedfordshire.
Well-known Turkish restaurant with grilled meats, meze and a lively but polished atmosphere in Bedford town centre.
Stylish riverside restaurant and bar serving modern British and European dishes in a relaxed setting by the Great Ouse.
Established Spanish tapas restaurant known for small plates, sangria and a warm, bustling atmosphere near the centre.
Moderate for England: stays and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly manageable for most visitors.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxi tips are optional, often rounding up. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Bedford Bus Station -> St Paul's Square, Bedford
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oxford to Bedford 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 Bedford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Oxford to Bedford buses use the Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station to Bedford, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Oxford and Bedford bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café Nero (in the station), The Four Candles (0.2 km), The White Rabbit (0.3 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station.
Available at Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Oxford, Gloucester Green Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need