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

Should you visit Oxford or Antwerp?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Antwerp, 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.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a vibrant, authentic, and genuine port 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 Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Antwerp?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Antwerp is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Antwerp is famous for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also well known for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Oxford different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Oxford or Antwerp.

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 Antwerp. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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

Both Oxford and Antwerp offer nice 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 Antwerp. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Oxford or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Antwerp.

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.

Antwerp is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Is Oxford or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Antwerp to see the historical old town. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Antwerp?

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

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Antwerp. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

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 Antwerp Better for Families?

Oxford and Antwerp are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Antwerp. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Oxford or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Oxford is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Antwerp is a good college town for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Oxford or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp 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 Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

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 Antwerp Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Antwerp is a great college town to visit as a student. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Antwerp.

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

You'll find some public transit in Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Oxford or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Oxford and Antwerp are excellent 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.

Antwerp is a very walkable college town. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oxford and Antwerp. In our opinion, Antwerp has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Antwerp than Oxford. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Antwerp. 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp.

One day in Oxford or Antwerp?

Oxford is a small town with plenty to do. This college town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Antwerp?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer.

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Antwerp?

Oxford is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. Since Oxford is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Antwerp. This port 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Antwerp, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antwerp would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antwerp and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford than you might in Antwerp.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Antwerp. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In October, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Antwerp. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. Oxford is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Oxford is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Antwerp averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Oxford