A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Oxford vs. Aberdeen for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Oxford or Aberdeen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Aberdeen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a cultural, architectural, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Aberdeen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Aberdeen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aberdeen than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Aberdeen is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Oxford is known for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Aberdeen is popular for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. It is also home to St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen.

How is Oxford different from Aberdeen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Oxford or Aberdeen.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Aberdeen. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

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

Both Oxford and Aberdeen offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Oxford. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Aberdeen. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Oxford or Aberdeen Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Oxford offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Is Oxford or Aberdeen Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Aberdeen to see the historical old town. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Aberdeen?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Oxford and Aberdeen.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Aberdeen offers some nice shopping areas. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Is Oxford or Aberdeen Better for Families?

Aberdeen 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.

Aberdeen is a very family-friendly destination. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

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 Oxford or Aberdeen Better for Couples?

Oxford is a well-known place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Oxford or Aberdeen Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Plenty of students visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Oxford and Aberdeen.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Aberdeen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Oxford or Aberdeen a more walkable city?

Oxford and Aberdeen are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Aberdeen is a very walkable college town. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Aberdeen or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Aberdeen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oxford and Aberdeen. In our opinion, Oxford has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Oxford than Aberdeen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-3 days is enough time in Aberdeen.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Aberdeen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oxford that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oxford than Aberdeen 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 Oxford.

One day in Oxford or Aberdeen?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aberdeen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Aberdeen?

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.

Aberdeen 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.

Five days in Oxford or Aberdeen?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Oxford or Aberdeen?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Aberdeen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Oxford and Aberdeen, 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is Aberdeen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Aberdeen?

Aberdeen has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Aberdeen, 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 Oxford or Aberdeen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oxford or Aberdeen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Aberdeen. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Aberdeen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Oxford is a little warmer than Aberdeen in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Aberdeen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Aberdeen. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 157 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Aberdeen. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Aberdeen in the Autumn?

Both Aberdeen and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Oxford is a little warmer than Aberdeen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Aberdeen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Aberdeen during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 93 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Aberdeen in the Winter?

Both Aberdeen and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Aberdeen in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In January, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 52 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Aberdeen. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Aberdeen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Aberdeen. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aberdeen for the activities around the city.

Oxford is a little warmer than Aberdeen in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Aberdeen fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aberdeen and Oxford