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

Should you visit Oxford or Munich?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Munich, 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 beautiful, historic, and scholarly college town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oxford and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Munich?

You'll generally find more things to do in Munich than Oxford. Munich is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Munich is better known for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Also, Munich is famous for The Nymphenburg Palace. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Oxford or Munich.

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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Munich 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 Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

Munich is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

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

Munich is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Munich?

Munich 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 Munich. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

Oxford and Munich are both superb 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 Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Oxford or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Munich are amazing 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.

Munich is a very popular college town for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Munich 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.

Munich has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

Oxford and Munich are superb 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.

Munich is a very walkable college town. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Munich?

In either Oxford or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Oxford because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Munich?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Munich 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 Munich?

Oxford 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.

Munich 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 Munich?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Munich?

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the bustling big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Munich?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oxford or Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Munich. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Munich. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Munich. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Munich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Munich during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives more rain than Munich. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Munich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Munich. Many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. In the winter, Oxford is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Munich averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets more sunshine than Munich. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in January than Munich. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Oxford is generally cooler than Munich. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Munich during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Oxford