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

Should you visit Oxford or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Arles, 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Arles?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arles than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is better known for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Oxford is more popular for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Oxford different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Oxford or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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.

Is Oxford or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Oxford or Arles Better for its Old Town?

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

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Arles?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Oxford and Arles.

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.

Arles offers some nice shopping areas. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Oxford or Arles Better for Families?

Oxford is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles 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, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Oxford or Arles Better for Couples?

Oxford and Arles are both excellent 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 Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Oxford or Arles Better for Students?

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

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.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Oxford and Arles.

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

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Oxford or Arles a more walkable city?

Oxford and Arles 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.

Arles is a very walkable college town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oxford or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oxford than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

One day in Oxford or Arles?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. 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 Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Arles?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, 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 Arles?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Arles. This town 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Arles?

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

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 Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles 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 Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Arles. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Arles. 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Oxford is cooler than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Arles. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Arles in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Arles. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles 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 Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Arles. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Oxford