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

Should you visit Oxford or Birmingham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Birmingham, 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 historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Oxford and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Birmingham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Oxford is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square.

How is Oxford different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Oxford or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for theatre. However, Oxford is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Oxford is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Oxford and Birmingham 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 Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Oxford or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Birmingham is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Oxford or Birmingham Better for Music?

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

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Birmingham?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham Better for Couples?

Oxford and Birmingham 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 Birmingham frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Oxford or Birmingham Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Birmingham are terrific destinations for 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.

Birmingham is a very popular college town for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Birmingham, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Oxford or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Oxford and Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a very walkable college town. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Birmingham?

In either Oxford or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Oxford because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Birmingham?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Birmingham?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this college town.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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 Birmingham?

Oxford, a popular college town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Birmingham?

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Birmingham?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oxford or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Birmingham. 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 Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Birmingham. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Birmingham. 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 music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

In the autumn, Oxford is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Birmingham averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Birmingham. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Oxford