A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Oxford for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Helsinki or Oxford?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Oxford can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford

Oxford is a collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Helsinki and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Oxford?

Both Oxford and Helsinki have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Helsinki is very popular for its shopping, while Oxford attracts visitors for its nightlife and small town charm. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Helsinki different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oxford and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Oxford?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Oxford.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Oxford? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Oxford both to be nice destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Oxford area. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Oxford?

Helsinki is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Families?

Helsinki is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly destination. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Oxford are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Oxford is a very popular college town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Many students visit Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Is Helsinki or Oxford Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Helsinki is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Helsinki. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

You'll find some public transit in Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Helsinki or Oxford a more walkable city?

Oxford is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Oxford is a very walkable college town. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Oxford Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Oxford?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Oxford. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Oxford. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Oxford.

Families should spend more time in Helsinki than Oxford. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Helsinki, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Oxford if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Oxford?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Helsinki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Oxford?

Helsinki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Oxford?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Helsinki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Oxford is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This college town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Helsinki and Oxford, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Oxford Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Oxford?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Oxford, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Oxford?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Helsinki or Oxford in the Summer?

Both Oxford and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Helsinki is generally around the same temperature as Oxford. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Oxford. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Oxford in the Autumn?

Both Oxford and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

Helsinki is much colder than Oxford in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Oxford fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Oxford. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Oxford. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Oxford in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Oxford. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Oxford. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Oxford averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Oxford during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Oxford. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Oxford in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Oxford. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Oxford. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Helsinki