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

Should you visit Oxford or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Budapest, 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Budapest?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Budapest is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Budapest is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Hungarian Parliament Building. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

Oxford is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Oxford has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Oxford or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Budapest is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Oxford or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Budapest to see the historical old town. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Budapest?

Budapest 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 Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

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 Budapest Better for Families?

Oxford and Budapest 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 Budapest. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

Is Oxford or Budapest Better for Couples?

Oxford and Budapest 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 Budapest frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Is Oxford or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Budapest. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

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 Budapest Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Budapest 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.

Budapest is a very popular college town for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

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

Budapest is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Budapest has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The metro, 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 Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest 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 Budapest. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

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 Budapest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Budapest?

In either Oxford or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Oxford because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Budapest?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Budapest is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Budapest?

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Budapest 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 Budapest?

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Budapest?

Oxford is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This college town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic big city of Budapest. 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 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Budapest, 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 Budapest?

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 Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Budapest. 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 Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Budapest. 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, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In October, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest 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 Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. Oxford is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives more rain than Budapest. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Budapest. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Oxford