Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways runs London Marylebone to Birmingham, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Aylesbury, with Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime fares.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Official website
- Official website
- Train tickets
- Direct
Where Chiltern Railways runs
Chiltern Railways runs from London Marylebone along the M40 corridor into Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, with longer services reaching the West Midlands. The Chiltern Main Line connects Marylebone with Birmingham Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, and some peak trains extend to Stourbridge. A second pair of routes reaches Aylesbury: one via Amersham, one over the branch line from Princes Risborough.
Choose the Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill route if your destination is central Birmingham; it avoids the crowds around New Street. For Oxford, Chiltern is worth checking if your starting point in London is nearer Marylebone than the more commonly used route into Oxford.
Tickets and fares
Advance tickets are Chiltern's best value option, but they're non-refundable, tied to one train, and go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead. Off-Peak tickets cost more but work on any train outside peak hours, and Anytime tickets are fully flexible. A Duo ticket saves 25% for two people travelling together on Off-Peak-eligible trains. Season tickets suit anyone commuting three or four days a week.
Refunds on Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime tickets are only available up until 23:59 the day before travel, minus a £5 admin fee. Don't wait until the last minute if your plans change.
Bikes and onboard
Folding bikes travel free at any time. Full-size bikes need space and staff discretion, and they aren't allowed on any train arriving at London Marylebone, Oxford or Birmingham Moor Street between 07:45 and 10:00, or leaving those stations between 16:30 and 19:30. Bikes can't go on rail replacement buses at any time.
E-bikes that meet the EPAC standard are allowed on board as long as they aren't being charged. E-scooters, hoverboards and similar powered transport are banned entirely, on both trains and at stations.
Ownership
Chiltern Railways is part of the Arriva group, which runs bus, tram and rail services across Europe.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways
Frequently asked questions
Where does Chiltern Railways run?
Chiltern Railways runs from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, plus two routes to Aylesbury, one via Amersham and one via Princes Risborough.
What's the cheapest Chiltern Railways ticket?
Advance tickets, released up to 12 weeks ahead, are usually cheapest, but they're non-refundable and only valid on the specific train you book.
Can I take my bike on a Chiltern Railways train?
Folding bikes travel free at any time. Full-size bikes are allowed outside peak hours but not on trains arriving at Marylebone, Oxford or Birmingham Moor Street between 07:45 and 10:00, or leaving between 16:30 and 19:30.
Who owns Chiltern Railways?
Chiltern Railways is part of the Arriva group, which operates bus, tram and rail services across Europe.
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Official website
