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

Should you visit Oxford or Dresden?

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

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

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Dresden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Oxford. Dresden is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is better known for its historical sights and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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

Both Oxford and Dresden 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 Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Oxford or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Dresden.

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.

Dresden is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Is Oxford or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Dresden to see the historical old town. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Dresden?

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

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.

Dresden offers some nice shopping areas. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Oxford or Dresden Better for Families?

Oxford is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Oxford. 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.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Oxford or Dresden Better for Couples?

Oxford is a great destination for couples. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is a nice destination for couples. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Oxford or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

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 Dresden Better for Students?

Oxford is an amazing college town to visit for students. However, Dresden 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.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Oxford or Dresden a more walkable city?

Oxford and Dresden are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Dresden is a very walkable college town. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Dresden?

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

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

One day in Oxford or Dresden?

Oxford is a small town with plenty to do. This college town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer.

Dresden 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 Dresden?

Oxford is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. Since Oxford is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Dresden. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Dresden, 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden 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 Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Dresden. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Dresden. 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 Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Dresden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Oxford usually receives more rain than Dresden. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Dresden in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Dresden in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In the winter, Oxford is much warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Oxford usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden 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 Dresden for the activities around the city.

In April, Oxford is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Dresden. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Oxford