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

Should you visit Oxford or Hamburg?

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

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

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oxford and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Hamburg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hamburg than Oxford. Hamburg is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hamburg is better known for its music and shopping, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Also, Hamburg is famous for St. Michael's Church. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Hamburg. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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

Both Oxford and Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Oxford or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Oxford or Hamburg Better for Music?

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

Hamburg is known as a music capital around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Hamburg?

Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

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 Hamburg Better for Families?

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

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 Hamburg Better for Couples?

Oxford is well known for couples. Also, Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Oxford or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hamburg 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 Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

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 Hamburg Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over the world to visit Oxford. 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 Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

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 Hamburg a more walkable city?

Oxford and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a very walkable college town. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Hamburg?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Hamburg. 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg.

One day in Oxford or Hamburg?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hamburg. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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 Hamburg?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic destination of Hamburg. This port 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Hamburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Hamburg. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

Oxford is a little warmer than Hamburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Hamburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Hamburg. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hamburg. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Hamburg averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Hamburg. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Hamburg during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Oxford