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

Should you visit Oxford or Kiel?

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

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

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kiel is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also well known for The Kiel Castle.

How is Oxford different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Both Oxford and Kiel 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 Kiel. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Oxford or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Oxford or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford is not a beach destination.

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Kiel?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Oxford and Kiel.

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.

Kiel offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Oxford or Kiel Better for Families?

Oxford and Kiel are both nice 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 Kiel. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Oxford or Kiel Better for Couples?

Oxford is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Kiel is a good college town for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Oxford or Kiel Better for Students?

Oxford is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent 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 Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Oxford is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known 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 Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Oxford or Kiel a more walkable city?

Oxford is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable college town. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Kiel?

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

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

One day in Oxford or Kiel?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Kiel?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This college town offers something for everyone. 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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel 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. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Oxford is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Kiel. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Oxford is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Kiel. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Kiel in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Oxford or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Oxford is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Kiel. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Oxford