- Must visit
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum
Cheltenham's main museum and art gallery, covering local history, decorative arts and changing exhibitions in a central Regency building.
Cheapest price on 12 Sept
£21
Average ticket price on 12 Sept
£31
Fastest journey on 12 Sept
1 h 29 m
Average journey duration on 12 Sept
2 h 10 m
Trains on 12 Sept
4
Distance
59 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Oxford to Cheltenham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Oxford to Cheltenham will cost around £31 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £21.
On Sat 12 Sept, we found 4 trains from Oxford to Cheltenham, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 59 km distance in an average of 2 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 29 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 41 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 train as it is the most popular option from Oxford to Cheltenham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 9m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, while a train costs an average of £26.
Distance: 59 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£26 Average Price | £15 Average Price Cheapest | £17 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 9m Average total duration Fastest 1h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration 4h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Oxford to Cheltenham:
A coach is £11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oxford to Cheltenham costing on average £26.
Other travel options to Cheltenham take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 24m.
Tickets start at around £26 compared to roughly £17 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-9.31. The journey takes 1h 39m versus 1h 16m 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 Cheltenham trains for today, Friday 11 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:52 Oxford | 2h22 | 9:14 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:27 Oxford | 2h04 | 9:31 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:46 Oxford | 1h28 | 11:14 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:29 Oxford | 2h03 | 12:32 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:46 Oxford | 1h28 | 12:14 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 13:31 Oxford | 2h00 | 15:31 Cheltenham | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 12 September | |||||
![]() | 5:50 Oxford | 3h41 | 9:31 Cheltenham | 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 Cheltenham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 but you can travel from only £14 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 22:27. The fastest train covers the 59 km distance in 1h 27m.
Distance 59 km |
Average train duration 1h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 1h 27m |
First train 4:30 |
Last train 22:27 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Cheltenham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cheltenham trip today.
Cheltenham's main museum and art gallery, covering local history, decorative arts and changing exhibitions in a central Regency building.
Museum in Pittville Pump Room exploring Cheltenham's spa history, with displays on mineral waters, visitors and Regency society.
Composer Gustav Holst's birthplace, furnished with period rooms and musical displays that bring Victorian Cheltenham to life.
Formal Regency gardens beside the Promenade, popular for walks, floral displays, events and views of historic Cheltenham buildings.
Large ornamental park with lake, playgrounds and broad paths, ideal for relaxed walks near the famous Pump Room.
Leafy district known for Regency architecture, boutiques and garden spaces, offering one of Cheltenham's most elegant walking areas.
Gloucester Old Spot pork from a traditional local breed, often served as roast or sausages. It is closely linked to Gloucestershire farming heritage.
Single or double Gloucester is a historic local cheese from Gloucestershire, prized for its rich, creamy taste and long county tradition.
A hard-pressed cow’s milk cheese from nearby Gloucestershire, traditionally matured for a full, nutty flavour and strong regional identity.
Refined modern British dining in elegant surroundings, known for polished tasting menus and carefully sourced seasonal ingredients.
Long-established French bistro with a lively, relaxed feel. Known for steak frites, seafood and classic brasserie dishes.
Stylish contemporary restaurant serving seasonal British cooking, craft drinks and brunch in a smart but informal setting.
Moderate by UK standards. Hotels and dining are pricier than smaller towns, but cheaper than London; local buses and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is fine. Taxis: round up or tip about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Cheltenham Spa -> Cheltenham Town Centre, Promenade
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oxford to Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Oxford to Cheltenham trains use the Oxford to Cheltenham Spa station pair. Use this guide to compare Oxford and Cheltenham 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.
Oxford Parkway is 5 km from Oxford city centre. Public transport options include:
Oxford Parkway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Oxford Parkway.
Wi-Fi is available at Oxford Parkway. ATMs are available at Oxford Parkway.
Ticket office support is available at Oxford Parkway. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 03456 005 165, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Oxford Parkway: Parking, WC.
Available at Oxford Parkway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Oxford Parkway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Access Category A. Step free access to platforms via lifts, Accessible taxis: If you would like us to assist you in booking an accessible taxi for your onward journey please contact 03456 005 165, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Cheltenham Spa is 1 km from Cheltenham city centre. Public transport options include:
Cheltenham Spa has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Railway Inn, The Coconut Tree
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Cheltenham Spa. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Luggage storage is available at Cheltenham Spa. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cheltenham Spa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cheltenham Spa: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cheltenham Spa: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Queens Hotel Cheltenham, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cheltenham, Hotel du Vin & Bistro Cheltenham.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need