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

Should you visit Oxford or Connemara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Connemara, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Connemara

Connemara is a breathtaking, scenic, and natural region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Oxford and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Connemara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Connemara than Oxford, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Connemara is better known for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Oxford is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than Connemara and is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Connemara is well known for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves. Also, Connemara is famous for Connemara National Park.

How is Oxford different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Connemara is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Connemara is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

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

Connemara 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 Connemara. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

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 Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

Oxford offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Oxford or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Oxford is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Connemara. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Connemara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Connemara?

Oxford is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Oxford to go shopping. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Connemara Better for Families?

Oxford is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

Oxford is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Oxford or Connemara Better for Couples?

Oxford and Connemara are both very good 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 Connemara frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Is Oxford or Connemara Better for Students?

Oxford is terrific for students. However, Connemara 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.

Connemara is not popular with students.

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

Oxford is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Oxford or Connemara a more walkable city?

Oxford is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region 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.

Connemara is not a very walkable college town. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Connemara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oxford and Connemara. In our opinion, Oxford has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Oxford than Connemara. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-3 days is enough time in Connemara.

Families should spend more time in Oxford than Connemara. 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 Connemara. 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 Connemara 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 Connemara?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Connemara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Connemara?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Connemara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Connemara?

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Connemara. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Connemara?

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural destination of Connemara. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Oxford or Connemara?

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 Connemara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Connemara. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Connemara for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Connemara. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Connemara. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Connemara. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Connemara in the Autumn?

Both Connemara and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Connemara because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Connemara during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Connemara. In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Connemara. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Connemara in the Winter?

Both Connemara and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Connemara this time of year.

The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Connemara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Connemara averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Connemara. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun.

Connemara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Connemara. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Connemara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Connemara. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Connemara for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Connemara. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Connemara and Oxford