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

Should you visit Oxford or Pompeii?

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

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

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. Other reasons to visit include museums.

Oxford and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pompeii than Oxford, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pompeii is better known for its museums, while Oxford is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Also, Pompeii is famous for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Oxford different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Pompeii from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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.

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

Oxford is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Oxford is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Oxford or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Oxford has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Pompeii?

Oxford is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Oxford has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Oxford or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly destination. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Oxford is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Oxford or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

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 Pompeii Better for Students?

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

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Oxford and Pompeii.

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

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Oxford or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oxford or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oxford than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

One day in Oxford or Pompeii?

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 when visiting the destination of Pompeii. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Pompeii?

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 museums when visiting the ancient destination of Pompeii. This archeological site 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 Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Oxford or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Oxford is much colder than Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Oxford