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

Should you visit Oxford or Toulouse?

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

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

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Toulouse?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toulouse than Oxford. Toulouse is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toulouse is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Toulouse is well known for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. Also, Toulouse is famous for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Oxford different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Oxford or Toulouse.

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 Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse 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, Toulouse is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Toulouse.

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.

Toulouse is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Oxford or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Toulouse to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Toulouse?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse Better for Families?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very family-friendly destination. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse Better for Couples?

Oxford and Toulouse 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 Toulouse frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Oxford or Toulouse Better for Students?

Oxford is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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

Toulouse is a good college town to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Toulouse, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Oxford or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Oxford and Toulouse are high quality 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.

Toulouse is a very walkable college town. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Oxford or Toulouse. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Toulouse due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-4 days is enough time in Toulouse.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Toulouse?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toulouse. 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 Toulouse?

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Toulouse 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 Toulouse?

Oxford is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Toulouse?

Oxford is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This college town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of Toulouse. This 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Toulouse?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

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 Toulouse in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Toulouse. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Toulouse in the Autumn?

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

Oxford is cooler than Toulouse in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in October than Toulouse. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Toulouse in the Winter?

Both Toulouse and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulouse 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 Toulouse. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Toulouse averages at about 6°C (44°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulouse. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Toulouse in the Spring?

Both Toulouse and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Toulouse. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Oxford