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

Should you visit Oxford or Rotterdam?

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

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

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Rotterdam?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Oxford. Rotterdam is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Oxford different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Both Oxford and Rotterdam offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Rotterdam. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Oxford or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Rotterdam.

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.

Rotterdam is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Rotterdam?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly destination. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Oxford is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Oxford is a great college town if you're traveling as 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Oxford or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

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 Rotterdam Better for Students?

Oxford is an amazing college town to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Rotterdam is a very popular college town for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Oxford and Rotterdam are great 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.

Rotterdam is a very walkable college town. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oxford and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Rotterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotterdam than Oxford. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Oxford or Rotterdam?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Rotterdam?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam?

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy big city of Rotterdam. This port 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Rotterdam, 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 Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Oxford in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Oxford is around the same temperature as Rotterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Rotterdam. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Rotterdam in the Winter?

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

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. Oxford can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Oxford is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In April, Oxford is generally a little warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Oxford