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

Should you visit Oxford or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Calais, 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.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its museums, nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than Calais and is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Oxford different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Oxford offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Both Oxford and Calais offer notable 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Oxford or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Oxford or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Calais?

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

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.

Calais offers some nice shopping areas. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Oxford or Calais Better for Families?

Oxford and Calais 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 Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Oxford or Calais Better for Couples?

Oxford is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Oxford or Calais Better for Students?

Oxford is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Oxford or Calais a more walkable city?

Oxford is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Oxford is a very walkable destination. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Oxford than Calais. 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 Oxford than Calais. 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 Oxford than Calais 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 Oxford.

One day in Oxford or Calais?

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 destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

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 Calais. 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 Calais?

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 coastal destination of Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Calais?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Calais. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Calais. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Calais. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In the winter, Oxford is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Calais. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Oxford