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

Should you visit Oxford or Basel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Basel, 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Basel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Basel. Although Oxford and Basel are roughly the same size, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is very popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Oxford attracts visitors for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Oxford different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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

Both Oxford and Basel 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 Basel. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Oxford or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Oxford has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Oxford or Basel Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Basel?

Basel 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 Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

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 Basel Better for Families?

Basel 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.

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

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 Basel Better for Couples?

Oxford is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Basel is a good college town for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Oxford or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel 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 Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

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 Basel Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

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

Basel 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 Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Basel a more walkable city?

Basel 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 Basel. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible 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 Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Basel?

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Basel?

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 Basel. 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 Basel?

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.

Basel 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 Basel?

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 Basel. 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 Basel?

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 easily accessible destination of Basel. 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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Oxford much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oxford would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oxford 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Oxford.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Basel, 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 Basel?

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 Basel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Basel. The summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

In the summer, Oxford is cooler than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Basel. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Oxford is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Basel. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Basel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. Oxford is a little warmer than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Basel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Basel. Many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Oxford is cooler than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Basel. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Oxford