The 11 Best City Tours in Oxford

1.University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,429 reviews · 2 - 10 hours · from $40Our pick

Walk Oxford with an English-speaking student or alumni guide such as Sam Day, Saga, Jacob, or Tom. See the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Trinity College, and other historic colleges, while learning about student life, Oxford traditions, famous writers, and Harry Potter filming locations.

“I’m really glad I booked this. Having tour with alumni was really informative to the inner workings at Oxford. Saga was lovely and gave us a truly special experience. Would recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City and University Tour, including college entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,243 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $37

Walk Oxford’s old university quarter with guides such as Simon, Dan, or Jonathan, then enter one historic college. Expect stories about student life, the tutorial system, Harry Potter filming sites, and famous buildings, with practical tips for exploring more afterward.

“Simon was very knowledgeable and helpful. We got plenty of hints what to explore further in the city.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 706 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $26

Use a 24 or 48-hour open-top bus pass to see Oxford's colleges, castle, shopping district, and quieter outer roads. Audio commentary comes in 14 languages, while selected departures offer a live English guide. A seasonal 45-minute walking tour and optional Carfax Tower entry add extra value.

“Very nice commentary and tour of the city. Drivers friendly and helpful. Recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Official University and City Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 618 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Walk central Oxford with an English-speaking guide from Experience Oxfordshire. See the Bodleian, Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Square, New College, Christ Church, Morse pubs, and Harry Potter locations from outside. The 1pm tour may include a prebooked Jesus College visit.

“Our guide, Adam, is an existing student and knew his stuff. He had clearly informed himself and gave an excellent presentation. There were only eight of us on this particular tour which worked perfectly. Other tour groups had too many people.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.City and Universities Express Tour & Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $15Best value

Walk Oxford’s historic center with an English-speaking guide, passing Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Christ Church, the Bridge of Sighs, and key colleges. Then use the Vox City app for self-guided routes to places such as Oxford Castle, Port Meadow, Jericho, and the Ashmolean Museum.

“Just the right amount of time. Hard to hear the guide sometimes as there were lots of people around. Headphones and a mic would have helped.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private City Tour & University Historical Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your English, Spanish, or French-speaking guide near the Ashmolean Museum for a private walk through Oxford. See college courtyards, the Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Square, Bodleian filming sites, Christ Church, and the Covered Market. College entry costs extra.

“Since the college in Oxford is so integrated with the town, it was excellent to have a knowledgeable guide point to what we were walking in front of. Otherwise, it’s easy to miss!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.City Bike Tour with Student Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $40Top rated

Join a small group of up to nine for a two-hour Oxford bike tour with a student guide such as Ben, Fergus, or Fred. Cycle beyond the center to Port Meadow and parks, pause at college buildings and writer-friendly pubs, and enter the Bodleian Library while learning Oxford’s story.

“Richard was very polite, patient, and a great storyteller. We spent a wonderful afternoon, biking around Oxford, and learned about the town and school’s histories”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Discover Oxford: City & Countryside Cycling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $168

Ride from central Oxford with an English-speaking local guide, often Alisdair, along the Thames cycle path to Iffley. Expect college stories, thatched cottages, an early medieval church, and an optional garden pub stop. Bikes are supplied, but request helmets and child equipment when booking.

“We are active cyclists who enjoy exploring new towns and cities by bike. Our tour guide was prickly from the start of our communications. The quality of the bikes was horrible with some very old and rusty. The guide conceded they were "cheap but safe". But then also conceded that the gears did not work on some. And he did not bring helmets for us all despite an express request for helmets. The tour of Oxford was worthwhile and the guide was knowledgeable just ruined by very poor quality bikes.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.City, Universities and Pubs Walking Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · from $27

See Oxford with three English-language walking tours covering the city, university colleges, and historic pubs. Your three-day pass also includes a sightseeing app with self-guided routes, so you can explore at your own pace. Entry fees, food, drinks, transport, and headphones are not included.

“Our guide was great story teller. Really good know about history of different colleges”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.City Tour & Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 5 reviews · 365 days

Use the Go Quest Adventures app to follow a two-mile puzzle trail through Oxford. Start at the Town Hall, pass famous university colleges, hunt for clues linked to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Clinton, then finish at Oxford Castle and Prison. Allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours, plus breaks.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.City & University Tour with College entry included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1.5 hours

Walk central Oxford with local guide Jaye, hearing stories of university life, famous characters, and old colleges. See the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, Covered Market, and more. A college visit is included, subject to opening hours, and your private group can set the pace.

“Fantastic, Jaye knows everything and corner in Oxford! Dankjewel!!”

Check availability →Read our full review