Music fans heading to Truck Festival will be able to use a dedicated Thames Travel shuttle bus between Didcot Parkway and the festival site at Hill Farm in Steventon.
At a glance
| Event | Truck Festival 2026 |
| Festival dates | Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 July 2026 |
| Shuttle dates | Thursday 23 to Monday 27 July 2026 |
| Route | Didcot Parkway Railway Station to Truck Festival, via Milton Gate |
| Festival site | Hill Farm, Steventon, Oxfordshire |
| Fares | £8 single, £12 open return, £18 weekend, according to the current Thames Travel timetable |
| Other routes included in weekend ticket | Shuttle bus, ST1, X2, NX2 and X36 |
| Timetable | Available through Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel |
Thames Travel will operate a dedicated shuttle bus for Truck Festival as thousands of music fans prepare to travel to Hill Farm later this month.
The shuttle will run between Didcot Parkway Railway Station and the festival site near Steventon from Thursday 23 to Monday 27 July, giving campers and day visitors a direct public transport option.
Truck Festival 2026 will feature acts including The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Libertines, CMAT, Primal Scream, Kaiser Chiefs and The Vaccines.
The festival takes place from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 July, with the shuttle continuing into Monday 27 July to help campers leave the site.
How the Truck Festival shuttle works
The shuttle bus links Didcot Parkway with the Truck Festival site, stopping at Milton Gate on the way.
On Thursday 23 July, the first listed shuttle leaves Didcot Parkway at 11.45am and reaches Truck Festival at noon. Services then run regularly throughout the day.
Return journeys from the festival site will also run through the weekend, with a final set of Monday morning services designed for people leaving after camping.
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel say live tracking and timetables will also be available through the Oxford Bus app.
Shuttle fares
The current Thames Travel timetable lists the following fares for Truck Festival shuttle travel:
| Ticket | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Single | £8 | One journey on the shuttle bus |
| Open return | £12 | Return any day on the shuttle bus |
| Weekend | £18 | Unlimited travel between Thursday 23 and Monday 27 July on the shuttle bus and services ST1, X2, NX2 and X36 |
The weekend ticket may be especially useful for festivalgoers travelling from Oxford, Abingdon, Wantage or Grove, because it includes selected Thames Travel services as well as the dedicated shuttle.
Key shuttle times
| Day | First listed shuttle from Didcot Parkway | Final listed shuttle from Truck Festival | Frequency note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 23 July | 11.45am | 8.48pm | Regular services through the day, including periods every 15 minutes |
| Friday 24 July | 7.50am | 10.45pm | Regular services, with frequent morning and evening journeys |
| Saturday 25 July | 10.50am | 11.15pm | Regular services through the day and evening |
| Sunday 26 July | 10.50am | Midnight | Regular services through the day and late evening |
| Monday 27 July | 6.18am | Noon | Morning return services for campers leaving the site |
Festivalgoers should check the full timetable before travelling, particularly if they are arriving late, leaving after a headline set or catching a specific train from Didcot Parkway.
Other bus routes serving Steventon
Thames Travel also operates other services that may help people reach Steventon and the surrounding area.
The X2 and NX2 link Oxford city centre and Abingdon with Steventon, with passengers advised to use the stop at The Green.
The X36 links Wantage and Grove with Steventon, again using The Green stop for the festival area.
The ST1 provides a fast weekday link between Oxford and Milton Heights, with the Milton Heights Turn stop closest to the festival site. The ST1 does not operate on Saturdays or Sundays, but Thames Travel says fast X32 services operate daily from nearby Milton Park.
Alternative local routes
| X2 / NX2 | Links Oxford city centre and Abingdon to Steventon. Use bus stop The Green. |
| X36 | Links Wantage and Grove to Steventon. Use bus stop The Green. |
| ST1 | Fast weekday link between Oxford and Milton Heights. Use bus stop Milton Heights Turn. |
| X32 | Daily service from nearby Milton Park, useful when ST1 is not operating at weekends. |
Thames Travel says shuttle offers convenient festival transport
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Thames Travel, said the shuttle would give festivalgoers a cost-effective way to reach Hill Farm.
He said: “Truck Festival is once again delivering exciting headline acts and I’m sure it’ll be another jam-packed weekend at Hill Farm.
“We’re delighted to be providing a shuttle bus service to the festival, offering a cost-effective and convenient way to travel.
“Our shuttle bus ensures festivalgoers can make the journey in comfort, with regular journeys between Didcot Parkway and the festival site.”
Why the shuttle matters
Truck Festival attracts visitors from across Oxfordshire and beyond, and travel to the rural site can put pressure on nearby roads during arrival and departure periods.
A shuttle from Didcot Parkway gives festivalgoers a simple option for connecting with rail services, while the wider weekend ticket helps people travel from Oxford, Abingdon, Wantage and Grove without relying entirely on cars or taxis.
For campers carrying luggage, the direct Didcot Parkway link is likely to be the most straightforward option. Day visitors should also check late return times before deciding whether the shuttle works for their plans.
Planning your journey
| Rail connection | Use Didcot Parkway for the dedicated shuttle bus. |
| Shuttle boarding point | Didcot Parkway Railway Station, stop R4, according to the current timetable. |
| Festival stop | Truck Festival, via Milton Gate. |
| Travel time | About 15 to 20 minutes between Didcot Parkway and the festival site, depending on timetable and traffic. |
| Live information | Available through the Oxford Bus app. |
| Timetable | oxfordbus.co.uk/truckfestival |
FAQs
When does the Truck Festival shuttle bus run?
The Thames Travel shuttle runs between Thursday 23 and Monday 27 July 2026.
Where does the shuttle bus go from?
The shuttle runs from Didcot Parkway Railway Station to the Truck Festival site at Hill Farm, via Milton Gate.
How much is the Truck Festival shuttle bus?
The current timetable lists fares as £8 single, £12 open return and £18 weekend.
What does the weekend ticket include?
The weekend ticket gives unlimited travel between Thursday 23 and Monday 27 July on the shuttle bus and Thames Travel services ST1, X2, NX2 and X36.
Can people travel from Oxford by bus?
Yes. The X2 and NX2 link Oxford city centre and Abingdon with Steventon, while the ST1 runs from Oxford to Milton Heights on weekdays. Festivalgoers should check times carefully, especially at weekends and late at night.
Which stop should passengers use in Steventon?
For X2, NX2 and X36 services, Thames Travel advises passengers to use The Green. For ST1, use Milton Heights Turn.
Where can people see the full timetable?
The full Truck Festival shuttle timetable is available through Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel.
