Travel Information

Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

From 5 March 2025 (and earlier for some countries) all non-UK passport holders will be required to complete an ETA.

• Make sure you apply for an ETA in plenty of time.
• Use the official UK government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.
• Apply online or by downloading an app.
• The current charge is £10.  Make sure you use the official website to avoid extra charges.

In addition to the ETA you may need a visa.  Check for details at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

Getting there

We recommend that you travel by public transport to the conference.  Full details can be found on the St Catherine’s College website .

By train

Trains run at least once an hour between Oxford and London Paddington, and twice an hour during peak times. Oxford is also on the main cross-country routes. For details of times and fares visit https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/popular-routes/london-to-oxford. 

The Heathrow Express train runs to London Paddington from Heathrow Airport terminals 2 and 3 in 15 minutes, and from terminal 5 in 21 minutes.

The Elizabeth Metro Line connects all Heathrow terminals directly to Reading.  Regular trains run directly from Reading to Oxford.
Visit https://www.thetrainline.com/ for national rail connections to Oxford.

By coach

Three companies go directly to Oxford from Heathrow Airport:

• Oxford Bus Company https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/airline
• National Express https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/destinations/oxford/heathrow-to-oxford
• Mega Bus https://uk.megabus.com/

Alight at Gloucester Green Bus Station in the city centre. 
National Express and Megabus operate national bus connections to Oxford.
We suggest that you take a taxi from the train or coach station.  Just ask for “St. Catherine’s College”.

By car

Oxford City is committed to reducing carbon emissions and increasing air quality. The City has recently introduced several new measures as part of this scheme, including limiting parking spaces within a central area. In response the College has introduced a STRICT NO PARKING POLICY and a barrier is now in operation to prevent unauthorised parking. Special permission can be requested in advance for Blue Badge holders only.  Please contact k.russell@elsevier.com (do not email credit card information under any circumstances) if you wish to reserve a Blue Badge parking space.