While not important in the scheme of things, let me correct an impression I gave regarding the view from the train. I mean not necessarily that the views are better but that I can actually see better out of train windows. And a walk to the toilet is not necessarily a "sashay", just, I guess I have to make my points clearer, a necessity.

Can only speak for myself, I've had very good luck with AirBnB. One must weed through the junk but there are nice places to be had at fair prices with the backup of the website as guarantee, not always the case with some sites.

Joannay, Janisj, flanner,

Of course I don't expect all to agree on every point, but you all provide convincing rationale for your advice, which will help my parents when I present to them all the pros and cons you mention.

Sorry I asked whether "one day was sufficient for sightseeing in Oxford". Duh, of course not! I meant to say, given that we will have fewer than 7 days for our trip, whether one day in Oxford would be meaningful.

Many thanks!

Flanner commutes back and forth from London and I lived in Oxfordshire for well on 5 years.

I've been on that train route many times (but not nearly as many as flanner). I lived there before there was an "Oxford Tube" but I have ridden the coach a couple of times since. IMO whether one takes the bus or the train partly depends on where one is starting from in London. But the bus route is more scenic. Plus it drops you in the middle of Oxford.

janisj,

That is indeed an advantage to taking the bus that the bus drops passengers of in the middle of Oxford. One thing I wish to avoid is to have to walk long distances after getting off the bus!

The bus does drop you closer in by about 500 meters, not what I'd call the center but closer to it. I've gone by coach from Stansted and by train to and from London. You pass by the coach station as you walk toward the center from the train and if you like trains it's not enough of a distance to matter, if walking is not a problem. If walking is a problem then both stations are convenient as you can take a taxi to your final destination, it's not a big city. Let personal preference for 1 mode or the other dictate which you choose. I concede some actually prefer a coach.

Having spent a year in Oxford and using both train and bus, I found I took the bus to and from London far more frequently than the train. In fact once I discovered how convenient and easy bus travel was, I never went back to taking the train. Note please that on the bus you are actually sitting at a higher level than on a train. Although I'm not sure that there's that much to see between London and Oxford. Perhaps I'm just jaded from having done the journey so many times.

Both the Oxford Espress and the Oxford Tube have departures about every 15 minutes depending on time of day ( 12 minute departures during rush periods, 20 minutes during slower times). They run ffrom about 4:00/4:30 a.m. until about midnight giving one far more time options than trains.Buses depart not only from Victoria Station but the Oxford Tube stops at Marble Arch and Nottinghill Gate. The Oxford Espress stops at Baker Street and Marble Arch in addition, of course, to Vic. Station. IMO, this means having much easier access than having to commit to a departure from Paddington Station.

I'm not going to quibble about which is actually closer to Oxford Centre, but Carfax is considered the centre, and I certainly remember it being closer to Gloucester Green than the train station. Five hundred meters is actually quite a distance if walking is a problem. I've done it even without a walking problem and don't find it easy with luggage in tow. Didn't find it that easy even without luggage. Depends entirely on where one stays in Oxford.

Historytraveler, everything you say is true and I'll add that the bus is likely less expensive except possibly if one uses a senior rail (or other) card and buys in advance. In any case, if I had to do the trip often I'd probably take whichever was closer to me in London and my destination in Oxford. But what I was pointing out, from the perspective of someone who loves travel by train and has no opportunity to do it at home, since for 1 or 2 trips the advantages are slim and they might take taxis from either station, they can choose whichever mode appeals to them, as I do when I visit. Otherwise, we agree entirely.

historytraveler and joannay,

Thank you for your detailed pieces of info. and recommendations on getting to Oxford. I feel like I am much better prepared for the trip. One quick question: For buses in London and in Oxford, may I pay the bus driver cash when I get on or do I have to purchase a pre-paid card?

Thanks!

You can purchase your tickets from the driver. Be sure to request any special fares such as day/next day return, senior (over 60), or for traveling after 3:00 p.m.

Here are the websites for both bus companies and for further information.

Oxford Espress www.oxfordbus.co.uk

Oxford Tube www.oxfordtube.com

I would agree with joannay that if staying near Paddington Station, it would be easier to take the train. For almost anywhere else, I'd go with the bus.

"<i>For buses in London and in Oxford, may I pay the bus driver cash when I get on or do I have to purchase a pre-paid card?</i>"

Just to clarify: Historytraveler's info is correct IF you mean the inter city buses between London and Oxford, not the local buses within London.

Yes, I was assuming gheelee meant London/Oxford/London buses such as the Oxford Espress and the Oxford Tube. Buses within the city are a different matter. I've either used a Travel card or more recently my Oyster card for so long, I honestly don't know what other payment methods are available within London.

historytraveler and jannisj,

Yes, the assumption is correct. Sorry I did not specify. Thank you both for the info. about intercity AND local buses. I did not know that.

Best,

There asre sometimes ticket machines at London bus stops and you purchase your ticket before boarding. Get a Paygo Oysyter loaded with money and you won't have to worry about having change. And the rides come out cheaper!

avalon,

Many thanks for that. I will remember Paygo Oyster.

It's a Pay-as-you-go or PAYG Oyster, a plastic card you just slide by the machine as you enter the Tube proper. Or as you get on the bus. You load the card with cash, and it automatically deducts the cost of your ride. Very convenient.

However, there's another option, a Travelcard, which also lets you get 2 for 1 admissions at certain sites. Here's an explanation: http://www.londontoolkit.com/briefin...ard_oyster.htm

Mimar,

Much obliged. It does seem very convenient. So the travel card works for both trains and buses?

the travelcard works for the Underground/tube, London buses, and trains w/i London.

But not for intercity buses, buses outside of the Transport for London travel zones, or trains outside of London.

oops, didn't mean to post . . .

Basically the travelcards work for transport in greater London but not in or to out-of-town places like Windsor, or Oxford, or even Gatwick

Hotel Edward is maybe 200 yards from Paddington Station. Two star probably. Nothing fancy. I stayed there two years ago. Cost about &pound;50 for a single.

The Paddington Hilton is right in the station.

janisj,

Now I got it. Many thanks.

spaarne,

Edward is very inexpensive. We are not looking for anything too fancy, so I'll look into it. Many thanks.