A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Oxford vs. Manchester for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Oxford or Manchester?

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

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

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oxford and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Manchester?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Manchester is more popular for its food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum.

How is Oxford different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Oxford or Manchester.

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 Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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 Manchester Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Manchester.

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.

Manchester is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Oxford or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for live music. However, Oxford is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Manchester while you're in town. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Manchester?

Manchester is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Oxford or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester Better for Couples?

Oxford and Manchester are both excellent 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 Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Oxford or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester Better for Students?

Oxford is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Manchester is a great college town to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester a more walkable city?

Oxford is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Manchester?

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

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Manchester?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, one day is sufficent for most.

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Manchester?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this college town.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Oxford, a popular college town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Manchester. 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 Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Oxford much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oxford would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oxford 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Oxford.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Manchester. 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 Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Manchester. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Manchester. 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Manchester. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester 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 Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Manchester. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Manchester. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester 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 Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Manchester. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Oxford