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

Should you visit Oxford or Mainz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Mainz, 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 collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mainz than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Mainz is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Oxford is known for its museums, nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also home to The Mainz Cathedral. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Oxford different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Mainz is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Oxford or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Mainz?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Oxford and Mainz.

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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Oxford or Mainz Better for Families?

Oxford is a college town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Oxford or Mainz Better for Couples?

Oxford and Mainz 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 Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Oxford or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz 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 Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other 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 Mainz Better for Students?

Oxford is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Mainz 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 Mainz. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby 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 Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Oxford or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz 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 Mainz.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mainz 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 Mainz.

One day in Oxford or Mainz?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. 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 Mainz?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Mainz. This 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Mainz?

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

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 Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Mainz. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Mainz. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Oxford is around the same temperature as Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Mainz. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives more rain than Mainz. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Mainz. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

Oxford is cooler than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Oxford