Oxford

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City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Badge of ExcellenceOxford, England

City Sightseeing Oxford Hop On Hop Off Tour

From $24.14

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

40 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience one of the world’s greatest university cities on this hop-on hop-off Oxford bus tour. With a 24- or 48-hour pass, design a personalized itinerary with several possible stops including the University of Oxford buildings (some featured in the 'Harry Potter' films), Oxford Castle, and Bodleian Library, one of the world’s oldest public libraries. Enjoy unobstructed views from the open-top viewing deck and fun onboard commentary as you savor this elegant city.

Discover Oxford and its highlights with a City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour
See the best of the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ at your own pace with a 24- or 48-hour ticket
Pass by must-see city sights including Oxford Castle and Christ Church College
Set your own sightseeing schedule, hopping on and off at any of the stops
Sit on the open-air, top deck and soak up 360-degree views of the honey-stoned university city
Listen to the onboard audio commentary to learn about the historical city

What's Included

24 or 48-hour bus pass
45-minute Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour
On-board audio commentary available 14 languages + free headphones
Vouchers are valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out
Mobile tickets accepted

Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.

View tour option

What To Expect

With your 24- or 48-hour ticket, see the best of the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ by bus, with onboard audio commentary offering fascinating snippets of local history. Hop aboard the bus at any of the route’s stops (full itinerary listed below) and enjoy the flexibility of choosing your own itinerary, pace and tour duration.

Grab a comfortable seat in either the indoor or open-air seating section and take in the sights along the route. Feel free to stay on for the entire loop, or hop off at any stop to see one of Oxford’s historical or cultural landmarks—buses depart regularly.

Between stops, explore the city’s local color and soak up the rich character of this celebrated hub of global education. To end your tour, disembark at any stop along the route, any time you like.

Historic City & University Route

20 Stops

16 Points of Interest

Duration: 40 minutes

Operating Schedule: 31st March - 16th April: 9:30am - 5:30pm, every 15 minutes 17th April - 25th May: 9:30am - 6pm, every 15 minutes 26th May - 22nd July: 9:30am - 6pm, every 15 minutes 23rd July - 3rd September: 9:30am - 6pm, every 10 minutes 4th September - 22nd October: 9:30am - 5pm, every 15 minutes 23rd October - 29th October: 9:30am - 5pm, every 15 minutes

Oxford

Park End Street

Gloucester Green

New Road

Westgate Shopping Centre

Speedwell Street

St Aldates (Stop G2)

Brasenose College

The Queen's College

The Plain

St.Cross Road

South Parks Road

Wadham College

53 Broad St

Parks Road

Park Town

Plantation Road

61 St Giles'

Magdalen Street East (Stop C6)

Sightseeing Randolph

Points of interest passed by on this route

Christ Church

Brasenose College

Sheldonian Theatre

Queen's College

Trinity College

City Sightseeing Oxford

Oxford Castle & Prison

Westgate Oxford

Oxford Playhouse

Bodleian Library

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Pitt Rivers Museum

Carfax Tower

Arts at the Old Fire Station

Oxford Town Hall

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Operates: All Year Round (except 1st January, 25th & 26th December)
Tour operates 9:30am - between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year. Frequency of the bus is every 10 - 15 minutes

Duration: 40 minutes
45-Minute Stepping Through Oxford Guided Walking Tour:- 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Meeting Point: Oxford Visitor Information Point, 44-45 High Street
Please note that the guided walking tour is seasonal, and customers should enquire upon arrival for more information.
Mobile or paper vouchers accepted. Paper vouchers must be redeemed at City Sightseeing shop in Oxford Railway Station.
Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the travel date selected at check-out
Please note, the bus tour will be affected on Tuesday 14th May due to the Oxford Town and Gown Run taking place. From the start of the service until approximately 12:30pm, only Stops 1 - 10 will be in use

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

698 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 698 reviews

Fun and informative....

Christina_F, Apr 2024

Fun and informative. Comfortable seats. Options to sit downstairs or upstairs in a covered area or outside area. Great spots to stop and helpful audio in 14 languages.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Esteemed Guests, We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your glowing review of your recent experience with our tour services. It brings us immense joy to hear that your time with us was both enjoyable and informative, and we appreciate your kind words regarding various aspects of our tour. We are thrilled to know that you found our tour to be both fun and informative. Striking a balance between entertainment and education is of paramount importance to us, and we are delighted that we were able to provide you with an experience that catered to both aspects. Our aim is to ensure that each moment spent with us is not only memorable but also enriching, leaving you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destinations you explore. Comfort is key to a pleasant journey, and we are pleased that you found our seating arrangements to be comfortable. Whether you chose to sit downstairs or upstairs in our covered areas or outside, we want all our guests to feel at ease throughout the duration of their tour. We understand that every traveler has their preferences, and we strive to accommodate them to the best of our ability. We are delighted to offer a variety of options for seating and viewing, allowing you to tailor your experience to your liking. From the comfort of our covered areas to the open-air ambiance of our outside seating, we aim to provide options that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of our guests. Our stops at great spots along the route are carefully curated to offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of the destinations we visit. Whether it's a historic landmark, a scenic vista, or a cultural gem, we aim to showcase the best that each destination has to offer, allowing you to create lasting memories along the way. The availability of helpful audio commentary in 14 languages is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that all our guests can fully engage with and appreciate the sights and sounds of our tours. We understand the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, and we strive to provide multilingual options to enhance the experience for all our guests, regardless of their language preferences. Once again, we express our sincerest appreciation for your kind words and for choosing to explore with us. It was our pleasure to be a part of your journey, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for another unforgettable experience. Warm regards, Customer Care department.

Well-worth the money

Gillian_B, Apr 2024

Frequent buses All drivers were welcoming and friendly Commentary was interesting Plenty of stops Appreciated the map and the discount on future travel

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear valued customer, Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with us regarding the City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour! We're delighted to hear that you found the tour to be well worth the investment and that you enjoyed various aspects of the experience. It's fantastic to hear that you appreciated the frequency of the buses, the friendly and welcoming demeanor of our drivers, and the interesting commentary provided throughout the tour. We strive to offer informative and engaging commentary that enhances our guests' understanding and appreciation of Oxford's rich history and landmarks. We're also thrilled that you found the number of stops convenient and that you benefited from the provided map, which we hope added to the ease and enjoyment of your exploration. Additionally, we're glad to hear that you took advantage of the discount on future travel—a little extra perk to encourage further adventures! Your kind words serve as encouragement for our team, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your Oxford experience. Should you plan to visit Oxford again or explore other destinations where City Sightseeing operates, we would be delighted to welcome you back aboard one of our tours. Thank you once again for choosing City Sightseeing, and we hope to have the pleasure of serving you again in the future. Warm regards, Customer Care department.

Windy Day

janet_C, Apr 2024

Ideal way to see Oxford and the ability to get off and on all day. Lost my treasured hat under the bus, very kindly retrieved by staff.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear valued guest, Thank you immensely for sharing your experience with us regarding the City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it helps us ensure that every aspect of our service meets the expectations of our esteemed guests. We're delighted to hear that you found our tour to be the ideal way to explore the beautiful city of Oxford. The flexibility of hopping on and off throughout the day allows our guests to immerse themselves fully in the rich history and cultural treasures that Oxford has to offer. We're truly sorry to hear about the mishap with your treasured hat during your tour. Losing something of sentimental value can be distressing, and we're relieved to hear that our staff were able to assist in retrieving it for you. We understand the importance of such personal belongings and are grateful for the opportunity to help. Your kind words regarding our staff's kindness and helpfulness warm our hearts. Providing excellent service and ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of our guests are top priorities for us, and we're thrilled that our team was able to assist you promptly and with care. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the incident with your hat and appreciate your understanding. Should you have any further feedback or if there is anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. Thank you for choosing City Sightseeing, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on board one of our tours in the future. Warm regards, Customer Care department.

Day trip to Oxford

Dave_L, Apr 2024

Great Tour thanks very much, very engaging, interesting and informative, much appreciated! We used the bus tour as soon as we arrived in Oxford, having never been before, and did the whole tour in one ride to get our bearings before hopping off at the cathedral and starting from there, and on again later. Worked for us!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear esteemed customer, Thank you ever so much for your kind words and for sharing your wonderful experience with us following your recent visit to Oxford. We are delighted to hear that your hop-on hop-off bus tour served as an engaging, informative, and enjoyable introduction to the city, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your exploration. It brings us immense joy to know that our tour provided you with the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourselves with Oxford upon your arrival. Exploring a new city can indeed be a daunting task, and we are thrilled that our comprehensive tour allowed you to effortlessly navigate the streets while soaking in the rich tapestry of history and culture that Oxford has to offer. Moreover, we are delighted to hear that you found our tour to be engaging, interesting, and informative. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide our guests with an enriching and memorable experience, and your glowing feedback is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We are pleased to learn that our hop-on hop-off format suited your needs, allowing you to disembark at the cathedral to commence your exploration before seamlessly hopping back on later to continue your journey. Flexibility is key, and we are delighted that our tour was able to accommodate your preferred pace and itinerary. Once again, we extend our sincerest appreciation for choosing our hop-on hop-off bus tour as your means of discovering Oxford. It was an absolute pleasure to have you on board, and we look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future. Warmest regards, Customer Care department.

Well worth it

Louise_H, Apr 2024

Good trip, commentary was interesting and it was a good way to get our bearings. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to do the included walking tour

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear esteemed reviewer, We extend our sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your feedback with us regarding your recent trip. Your kind words about the trip's commentary and its role in helping you orient yourself are truly appreciated. We regret to hear that due to time constraints, you were unable to participate in the included walking tour. We understand the value of comprehensive experiences and will strive to ensure better time management in the future to accommodate all aspects of our tours. Your feedback serves as a valuable insight for us to further refine and improve our offerings, ensuring that future guests can fully enjoy all the components of our tours. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future. It was a truly pleasure to assits you. Warm regards, Customer Care department.

Fun despite the weather

Matthew_F, Jan 2024

Even on a wet and windy day we all enjoyed this tour. The children especially liked the kid’s commentary.

Best way to get around the city.

Sarajit_P, Dec 2023

This is the best thing I did in OXFORD. This is my first time at OXFORD. I was wondering how best to utilize my time, to get to know about the city. I found this tour in my internet search and I am glad, I chose this. It was fun getting around the city with the flexibility of hopping on and off the buses. I liked it so much that I took two rounds of the city in the bus. Its worth the money and time. Quite enjoyable - go for it!

Oxford can be walked.

Robert_C, Nov 2023

Oxford is small enough that you are better off walking. Then you have to pay to enter Bodelian and you have to pay to enter the castle. Just save your money for entry fees.

Amazing!

Sally_W, Oct 2023

This was so fantastic! We have never done a sight seeing tour bus before and we had a cold but very sunny day. It was amazing, great commentary through headphones provided and really flexible. Definitely returning with the kids!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Sally, We are delighted to hear that you were able to explore Oxford on board our bus. Thank you very much for leaving us such a positive review. We look forward to seeing you again at your next City Sightseeing destination, we are in over a hundred cities around the world! Best regards, Customer Support Agent

Oxford bus tour

Eda_B, Sep 2023

Wonderful trip. Went round twice to take it all in. The architecture of the colleges was amazing. Helpful and friendly driver.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Customer, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. Your kind words mean a lot to us. We will be sure to share your kind comments with our team. We look forward to seeing you very soon at your next City Sightseeing destination. Customer Support Agent

A good sightseeing tour

Raimonda_P, Sep 2023

Excellent stories about buildings, students and learning methods. It's a good idea to say what we'll see when we get out.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Customer, Thank you for choosing us and taking the time to share your impressions.  We are glad you had a great experience. We hope to see you again if you ever come back to the city! Best regards, Customer Support Agent

An alright experience

Melanie_S, Sep 2023

I’ve been on other hip on hop off bus tours that had more amenities and an easier to use app. Overall an okay experience but not spectacular. Also not the companies faults but my companion had her phone stolen off one of the buses. Just be aware of the people around you. The company did all they could but once that phone was taken off the bus there’s nothing they could have done.

Great information on a beautiful city

Steven_M, Sep 2023

A great look at the beautiful city of Oxford. Upstairs allows a sneaky look inside the grounds of some places too.

Hop on hop off with ease

Gerlof_S, Sep 2023

Really easy for around the town. If it’s raining this is a was to see everything without getting wet.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Customer, We love to hear that you had such a great experience at the tour bus. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind regards, Customer support agent

Useful way of statting...

Tim_V, Aug 2023

Useful way of statting out in Oxford, good regular service and helpful drivers. Walking tour was an extra bonus.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Customer, We love to hear that you had such a great experience at the tour bus. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind regards, Customer support agent

Lovely experience

Emma_F, Aug 2023

Great commentary at a good pace for everyone to enjoy. Lots of facts about Oxford that helped us plan the rest of our day too. Glad we did the full tour first.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Dear Emma, Thanks for leaving a review! We are happy to hear that everything went smooth and that you enjoyed the tour. Hope to see you back soon! Yours sincerely, Customer support agent

Great experience!

Magdalena_M, Aug 2023

The tour was interesting and the bus driver was very friendly. Have seen all of the top’s attractions. Would definitely recommend as part of the sightseeing.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Dear Customer, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. It means a lot to us. We will make sure to share your kind comments with our team. We would love to see you again very soon. Kind regards, Customer support agent

You asked

patriciam_s, Jul 2023

Great weather. Very interesting town I am not a big literary buff. We were in Oxford to pick up a car

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear guest, Thank you so much! At City Sightseeing we work every day, so you get the best experience possible. We would love to have you back in the city or at any of our other locations. Kind regards, Customer support agent

Great way to see the...

SeanAndrew_W, Jul 2023

Great way to see the sights of Oxford with a bit of history on each.Driver was very helpful with additional information once tour had finished

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Customer, Thank you for writing your opinion and highlighting what you liked most. We are glad to know that you have enjoyed the visit. We hope to see you again very soon in Oxford in one of our destinations. Kind regards, Customer support agent

Good tour needs updating

Amanda_H, Jul 2023

Interesting to get an overview of Oxford. Commentary could do with freshening up and headphones didn’t work for a while after bus started. Guide knew this but continued to start talking before headphones started working!?!

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