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

Should you visit Oxford or Dublin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Dublin, 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oxford and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Dublin is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Oxford or Dublin.

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 Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Both Oxford and Dublin offer nice 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 Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Oxford or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is very popular for nightlife. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Dublin is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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.

Is Oxford or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a very popular place for live music. However, Oxford is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Dublin while you're in town. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is Oxford or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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 Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Dublin is a very family-friendly destination. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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.

Is Oxford or Dublin Better for Couples?

Oxford and Dublin are both superb 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 Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Oxford or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin Better for Students?

Oxford is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Dublin.

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

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Oxford or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Dublin?

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

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Dublin?

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 and shopping when visiting the destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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.

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

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 Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Dublin?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the fun destination of Dublin. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In the summer, Oxford is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Dublin. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

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

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Dublin. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Dublin. Many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. Oxford is much colder than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Oxford is around the same temperature as Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Dublin. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Oxford