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

Should you visit Oxford or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or La Rochelle, 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 historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or La Rochelle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Oxford attracts visitors for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Oxford different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Oxford or La Rochelle.

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 La Rochelle. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

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

La Rochelle is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

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 La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Oxford for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

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

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

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

La Rochelle has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or La Rochelle?

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

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.

La Rochelle offers some nice shopping areas. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Oxford and La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is very popular for romance. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

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.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

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 La Rochelle Better for Students?

Oxford is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

La Rochelle is a good college town to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and La Rochelle.

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

You'll find some public transit in La Rochelle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Oxford or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Oxford and La Rochelle are very good 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.

La Rochelle is a very walkable college town. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Oxford or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Rochelle due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle.

One day in Oxford or La Rochelle?

Oxford is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the small town destination of La Rochelle. 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 La Rochelle?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This college town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 La Rochelle?

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 La Rochelle?

Since Oxford is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back small town of La Rochelle. This coastal town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or La Rochelle?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and La Rochelle, 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 La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Oxford is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as La Rochelle. 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 La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Oxford is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 La Rochelle this time of year.

The weather in Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Oxford is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Oxford