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

Should you visit Oxford or Le Mans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Le Mans, 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a small, historic, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and museums.

Oxford and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Le Mans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oxford. Although Oxford and Le Mans are about the same size, Oxford has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oxford is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. It is also home to Radcliffe Square. Le Mans is popular for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

Radcliffe Square

How is Oxford different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Oxford specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Oxford is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Oxford or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is great for nightlife. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

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 Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Le Mans?

Oxford is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Le Mans Better for Families?

Oxford and Le Mans are both good 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 Le Mans. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Oxford or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Oxford is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Oxford is a great college town if you're traveling as 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Oxford or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Le Mans 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 Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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 Le Mans Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans is not popular with students.

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.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Oxford and Le Mans.

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

You'll find some public transit in Le Mans, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Oxford or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Oxford is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Oxford than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Le Mans. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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 museums when visiting the quaint destination of Le Mans. This town 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Le Mans?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Le Mans. 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 Le Mans because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Le Mans in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Le Mans this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Le Mans. 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 small town atmosphere are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

In the autumn, Oxford is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Le Mans averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Oxford or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Le Mans. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Le Mans in the spring for the small town charm.

Oxford is cooler than Le Mans in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Le Mans. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Oxford