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

Should you visit Oxford or Frankfurt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Frankfurt, 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 collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a energetic, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Frankfurt?

You'll generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than Oxford. Frankfurt is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Oxford different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Oxford or Frankfurt.

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 Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Frankfurt.

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.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Oxford or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Oxford is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Oxford or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Frankfurt are terrific destinations for students.

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.

Frankfurt is a very popular college town for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Frankfurt is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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.

Is Oxford or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Oxford and Frankfurt are excellent 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable college town. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oxford or Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Frankfurt. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Oxford