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

Should you visit Oxford or Amsterdam?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Amsterdam, 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 beautiful, historic, and scholarly college town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Amsterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its food and small town charm. Amsterdam is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Oxford or Amsterdam.

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 Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

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

Oxford is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is very popular for nightlife. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Amsterdam is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Oxford is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is very popular for live music. However, Oxford is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is known as a music capital around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is Oxford or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

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 Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Oxford is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Oxford and Amsterdam are both superb to visit as a couple.

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Is Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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 Oxford or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

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

Amsterdam has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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 Oxford or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is very popular for its walkability. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Amsterdam?

Both Oxford and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Oxford. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Oxford or Amsterdam?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Amsterdam?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam?

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Oxford or Amsterdam?

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When comparing the travel costs between Oxford and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam?

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 Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the summer, Oxford is around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Amsterdam. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Amsterdam. Many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. Oxford is much warmer than Amsterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Amsterdam. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Amsterdam in the Spring?

Both Amsterdam and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Oxford is a little warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Oxford