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

Should you visit Oxford or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Bruges, 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Bruges?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is better known for its food, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Oxford is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm. Bruges is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Oxford or Bruges.

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 Bruges. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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

Bruges 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 Bruges. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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 Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Oxford for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Oxford or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

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

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Bruges?

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

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.

Bruges offers some nice shopping areas. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Oxford or Bruges Better for Families?

Oxford and Bruges are both notable 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 Bruges. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Oxford or Bruges Better for Couples?

Oxford and Bruges are both great 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 Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Is Oxford or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bruges is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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 Bruges Better for Students?

Oxford is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Bruges, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Oxford or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges 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 Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and 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 Bruges Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Bruges?

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

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Bruges?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

Oxford 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.

Bruges 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 Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. 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 Bruges?

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bruges. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Bruges, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges 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 Bruges.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Bruges?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Bruges, 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 Bruges?

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 Bruges in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Bruges. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Bruges. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Bruges. Many visitors come to Oxford in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Oxford can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Oxford is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Bruges. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In April, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Bruges and Oxford