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

Should you visit Oxford or Milan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Milan, 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milan

Milan is a cultural, trendy, and chic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oxford and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Milan?

You'll generally find more things to do in Milan than Oxford. Milan is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Milan is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Milan is well known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. Also, Milan is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Oxford different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Oxford or Milan.

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 Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Milan 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, Milan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is very popular for nightlife. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Milan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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.

Is Oxford or Milan Better for Music?

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

Milan is known as a music capital around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is Oxford or Milan Better for its Old Town?

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

Milan has a world-famous historical area. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Milan?

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

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Milan. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Oxford and Milan are both notable 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 Milan. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Oxford or Milan Better for Couples?

Oxford and Milan 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 Milan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Oxford or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Milan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Milan are first-rate destinations for students.

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

Milan is a very popular college town for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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

Milan is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Milan has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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 Milan a more walkable city?

Milan 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 Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Milan?

In either Oxford or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Oxford because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Milan?

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.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Milan?

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.

Milan 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 Milan?

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 Milan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Oxford or Milan?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the chic big city of Milan. This city 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Milan. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Milan. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milan this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Milan. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Milan. 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 Milan in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Oxford is cooler than Milan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Milan. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Milan. Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Milan can be very cold during winter. Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is cooler than Milan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Milan averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Milan. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Milan because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally cooler than Milan. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Milan. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Oxford