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

Should you visit Oxford or Porto?

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

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

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Porto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Porto than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Porto is more popular for its food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Oxford is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Porto is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Porto. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

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

Porto 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, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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 Porto Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Porto is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Oxford or Porto Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Porto?

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

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.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Oxford or Porto Better for Families?

Porto 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.

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto Better for Couples?

Oxford and Porto 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 Porto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Is Oxford or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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 Porto Better for Students?

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

Porto is a great college town to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

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

Porto 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 Porto. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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 Porto a more walkable city?

Oxford and Porto are excellent 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.

Porto is a very walkable college town. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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

Should I spend more time in Porto or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Porto?

In either Oxford or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto 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 Porto.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Porto?

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.

Porto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Porto?

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.

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Porto?

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 Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Porto?

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 cosmopolitan big city of Porto. This port 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Porto. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is cooler than Porto in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Porto. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Porto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Porto. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In the autumn, Oxford is cooler than Porto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Porto averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Porto. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Porto in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In January, Oxford is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Porto. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Porto in the Spring?

Both Porto and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Oxford is much colder than Porto in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Porto. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Oxford