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

Should you visit Oxford or Killarney?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Killarney, 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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Killarney

Killarney is a peaceful, charming, and local town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Oxford and Killarney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Killarney?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oxford. Although Oxford and Killarney are both popular with visitors, Oxford has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oxford is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Killarney is known for its hiking. Killarney is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. It is also home to Radcliffe Square.

Radcliffe Square

How is Oxford different from Killarney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Killarney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oxford. 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.

Killarney offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

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

Both Oxford and Killarney offer good 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 Killarney. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Is Oxford or Killarney Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is well known for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Oxford or Killarney Better for Hiking?

Killarney is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Killarney. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Killarney?

Oxford is a college town with good options for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Oxford is a great destination for shopping. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Killarney Better for Families?

Killarney 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.

Killarney is a very family-friendly destination. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

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 Killarney Better for Couples?

Oxford and Killarney are both high quality 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 Killarney frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

Is Oxford or Killarney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Killarney 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 Killarney. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

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 Killarney Better for Students?

Oxford is terrific for students. However, Killarney is not popular with students.

Oxford is a very popular college town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Killarney is not popular with students.

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

Oxford is a college town with good options for its public transit. However, Killarney 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 Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Oxford or Killarney a more walkable city?

Oxford is well known for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of 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.

Killarney is not a very walkable college town. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

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

Should I spend more time in Killarney or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Killarney?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oxford and Killarney. In our opinion, Oxford has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Oxford than Killarney. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-3 days is enough time in Killarney.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Killarney. 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 Killarney 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 Killarney?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Killarney. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Killarney?

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.

Killarney 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 Killarney?

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 Killarney. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Killarney?

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 food and museums when visiting the charming destination of Killarney. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Oxford and Killarney, we can see that Killarney 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 Killarney Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Killarney?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Killarney, 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 Killarney?

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 Killarney in the Summer?

Both Killarney and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Killarney for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is a little warmer than Killarney in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Killarney fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 140 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Killarney. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Killarney in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Killarney. Many travelers come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Killarney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Oxford is around the same temperature as Killarney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Killarney averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Killarney during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Killarney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Killarney. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Killarney in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Killarney. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Killarney for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally much colder than Killarney. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Killarney fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 44 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Killarney. Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Killarney. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Killarney in the Spring?

Both Killarney and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Killarney because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Killarney in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Killarney fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Killarney during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Killarney. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Killarney and Oxford