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

Should you visit Oxford or Rome?

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

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

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological 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 Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Rome?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rome than Oxford. Rome is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rome is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm. Rome is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Colosseum

How is Oxford different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome 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 Rome from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome 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, Rome is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

Rome is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

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

Rome is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Oxford is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Rome?

Rome 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 Rome. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome Better for Families?

Rome 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.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

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 Rome Better for Couples?

Oxford and Rome 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 Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Oxford or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Rome 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.

Rome is a very popular college town for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

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

Rome 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.

Rome has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Rome?

Both Oxford and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Oxford. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Rome?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Rome 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 Rome?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Rome is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Oxford or Rome?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This college town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Rome. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Rome. Many travelers come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rome 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 much colder than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Rome. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Rome in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Rome. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Rome. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Rome in the Spring?

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

In April, Oxford is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Rome. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Oxford