- 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 18 Sept
£32
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£40
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 26 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 49 m
Trains on 18 Sept
3
Distance
69 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 trains from Oxford to Bedford, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 69 km distance in an average of 2 h 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 26 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 21 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.






Omio 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 £45.
Distance: 69 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£45 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest | £15 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 4m Average total duration 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - 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 £45.
Other travel options to Bedford take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 34m.
Tickets start at around £45 compared to roughly £15 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-30.57. The journey takes 2h 34m versus 1h 33m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Oxford to Bedford trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:59 Oxford | 2h26 | 11:25 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:00 Oxford | 2h25 | 12:25 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:00 Oxford | 2h25 | 13:25 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Oxford to Bedford run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:07. The fastest train covers the 69 km distance in 2h 23m.
Distance 69 km |
Average train duration 2h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 23m |
First train 0:10 |
Last train 23:07 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Fri |
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 Railway Station -> Bedford Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oxford to Bedford by train. 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 train, 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 trains use the Oxford to Bedford station pair. Use this guide to compare Oxford and Bedford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Oxford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Oxford.
Wi-Fi is available at Oxford. ATMs are available at Oxford.
Ticket office support is available at Oxford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Oxford: Parking, WC.
Available at Oxford: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Oxford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free access to all platforms via lifts and an overbridge to access platform 4. Safety warning - Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Accessible Taxis available at this station Please request staff assistance or call our free help line for, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Situated by the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford.
Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.
Ticket office support is available at Bedford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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