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

Should you visit Oxford or Dingle?

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

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

Dingle

Dingle is a picturesque, serene, and natural peninsula. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Oxford and Dingle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Dingle?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dingle than Oxford, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dingle is better known for its beaches and hiking, while Oxford is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dingle is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. Also, Dingle is famous for The Gallarus Oratory. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Dingle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options 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.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

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

Both Oxford and Dingle 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 Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Oxford know how to have a good time. 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.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Dingle. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dingle. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Dingle?

Oxford is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Dingle 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.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Families?

Oxford and Dingle 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 Dingle. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Couples?

Oxford and Dingle 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 Dingle frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

Is Oxford or Dingle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Dingle is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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 Dingle Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for students. However, Dingle 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.

Dingle is not popular with students.

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

Oxford is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Oxford or Dingle a more walkable city?

Oxford is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options 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.

Dingle is generally not a very walkable college town. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

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

Should I spend more time in Dingle or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Dingle?

In either Oxford or Dingle, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dingle 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 Dingle.

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

One day in Oxford or Dingle?

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 food when visiting the destination of Dingle. 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 Dingle?

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.

Dingle 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 Dingle?

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 Dingle. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Dingle?

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 food when visiting the natural destination of Dingle. This peninsula 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 Dingle, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. And not only is Dingle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dingle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dingle 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 Dingle.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Dingle?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Dingle, 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 Dingle?

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 Dingle in the Summer?

Both Dingle 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dingle for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Oxford is generally a little warmer than Dingle. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Dingle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Dingle. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 140 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Dingle. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dingle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Dingle. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dingle because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Dingle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Dingle fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Dingle during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dingle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Dingle. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Dingle in the Winter?

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

The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Dingle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dingle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Dingle. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 44 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Dingle. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dingle in the Spring?

Both Dingle 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 Dingle for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dingle during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Dingle. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dingle and Oxford