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

Should you visit Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Saint-Etienne, 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Oxford and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oxford. Although Oxford and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations, Oxford has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oxford is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Oxford is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. It is also well known for Radcliffe Square. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

Radcliffe Square

How is Oxford different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Oxford is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Oxford or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oxford is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Oxford has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Oxford for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

Oxford is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Oxford and Saint-Etienne are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Saint-Etienne. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Oxford is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Oxford is an amazing college town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Saint-Etienne.

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

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Oxford or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Oxford is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable college town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Oxford Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oxford or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oxford than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Saint-Etienne. 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 Oxford than Saint-Etienne 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 Oxford.

One day in Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

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. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Oxford is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Oxford is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. Oxford can be very cold during winter. Oxford is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne 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 natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the spring, Oxford is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Oxford