Oxford to Banbury Trains From £7.20*

Ride the rails to Banbury Cross in just over 15 minutes with a fast, direct CrossCountry service from Oxford – no stops, just a quick and easy journey straight to this historic market town. Travel through the Cherwell Valley from Oxford to Banbury, past lush meadows, winding rivers, and the rolling hills of North Oxfordshire.

CrossCountry runs one of the UK’s most far-reaching long-distance rail networks, stretching all the way from Penzance in Cornwall to Aberdeen in Scotland. With Birmingham at its centre, the network connects major cities all across the UK, including Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Leeds.

Departing from Oxford

Just a 15-minute walk from Oxford’s historic city centre, Oxford station is one of the best-connected railway stations in Oxfordshire and easily accessible by bus, car or taxi with convenient drop-off points and regular local bus services right outside.

Managed by Great Western Railway, Oxford station offers fast and frequent services to London Paddington, London Marylebone, Reading, Worcester and Banbury, as well as CrossCountry trains connecting it with Manchester, Birmingham and the South Coast. 

With step-free access throughout, lifts to all platforms, ticket machines, shops, cafés and public Wi-Fi, the station is well-equipped for every traveller. So, whether you’re commuting, exploring the Cotswolds or heading further afield, Oxford station offers fast, convenient links to all across the region and beyond.

Main stops

Travelling from Oxford to Banbury, you can opt for CrossCountry’s quick, direct service, or Great Western Railway’s slightly slower train calling at Tackley, Heyford and Kings Sutton before arriving into Banbury.

Arriving at Banbury

Just a ten-minute walk from the historic market town centre, Banbury railway station is a busy stop on the Chiltern Main Line. Managed by Chiltern Railways, the station offers step-free access, lifts, ticket machines, shops, cafés and public Wi-Fi.

Regular services run from here south to London Marylebone, north to Birmingham, and further afield via CrossCountry trains to Manchester, Reading, Southampton and Bournemouth. Great Western Railway also provides local links to Didcot Parkway, giving passengers a wide range of onward travel options.

Banbury is a historic market town on the River Cherwell, famed for its spiced Banbury cakes and the nursery rhyme “Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross” immortalised in the town’s iconic statue of a Fine Lady riding a white horse. Visitors can also explore the Banbury Museum & Gallery or step back in time at Tooley’s Boatyard, one of Britain’s oldest working dry docks.

CrossCountry train classes 

• Standard Class: Enjoy comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi on your Oxford to Banbury train with CrossCountry, as well as onboard catering on many services. Whether you’re travelling on a high-speed Voyager or a regional Turbostar train, you can expect plenty of room and a welcoming service.
• First Class: For an extra level of comfort, travel from Oxford to Banbury First Class and relax into wider reclining seats with extra legroom and at-seat tables – ideal for both working or just relaxing.

CrossCountry train travel advice

From luggage and bikes to travelling with children, pets and accessibility support, here’s everything you need to know before boarding your Oxford to Banbury train.

• Luggage: Storage is limited, so CrossCountry advises bringing just one medium bag where possible. On Voyager trains, larger items can be stowed in luggage racks in Coaches D and J.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes are welcome on board CrossCountry trains with a free reservation, while folding bikes can be brought on board anytime without advance booking. Please note, e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 can enjoy 50% off standard fares. Families can save even more with a Family & Friends railcard, which gives adults a third off most fares and 60% off children’s fares.
• Pets: Passengers can travel with up to two pets at no extra charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead or in a secure carrier, and all pets should remain off seats.
• Passenger Assist: Passengers requiring extra support with boarding, handling luggage, navigating stations or wheelchair spaces can pre-book Passenger Assist when purchasing their ticket, or simply by asking staff at the station on the day for help.

Take the slower route from Oxford to Banbury and enjoy the ride – Great Western Railway’s direct stopping service takes around 30 minutes, winding through the picturesque Cherwell Valley and calling at Tackley, Heyford and King’s Sutton along the way.

Climb aboard your Oxford to Banbury train and enjoy classic views of the English countryside, from the green sweep of the Cherwell Valley to farmland and woodlands before arriving at the historic canal town of Banbury.

Great Western Railway runs both regional and long-distance services linking London Paddington with South Wales, the South West and the Cotswolds. From Oxford, you can catch direct trains to London as well as major destinations such as Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter St Davids and Penzance.

Great Western Railway train classes 

• Standard Class: Settle into your Oxford to Banbury train journey with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and the option to enjoy freshly prepared food and drink from the onboard restaurant car on many Great Western Railway services.
• First Class: Upgrade your Oxford to Banbury train to First Class for extra comfort with wider seats, more legroom, fast Wi-Fi and at-table plug or USB sockets. Selected services also include complimentary drinks and snacks.

Great Western Railway train travel advice

From luggage allowances and bike policies to travelling with children, pets or arranging assisted travel, it’s worth knowing the essentials before setting off on your Oxford to Banbury train:

• Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three items on board Great Western Railway trains free of charge, including suitcases, holdalls or rucksacks. Luggage should be stored in overhead racks or in end-of-car luggage areas to keep aisles and doors clear.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and electric bikes are welcome on board Great Western Railway services with a free reservation, though space is limited so booking ahead is advised. Folding bikes are always permitted if stowed in racks, but e-scooters are not allowed.
• Children: Kids under the age of five can travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 are eligible for half-price fares. Teenagers aged 16-17 can also enjoy 50% off standard fares with a 16-17 Saver railcard.
• Pets: Passengers may bring up to two pets on board at no extra cost. Dogs must be kept on a lead, while smaller animals should be transported in a secure carrier. Pets are not allowed on seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need extra support when boarding, handling luggage or navigating stations, you can pre-book Passenger Assist when buying your ticket, through the app or by requesting help from staff at larger stations on the day of travel.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.