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

Should you visit Oxford or Trieste?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Trieste, 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 collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Trieste

Trieste is a energetic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums.

Oxford and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Trieste?

Both Trieste and Oxford have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Oxford is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Trieste is more popular for its beaches and historical sights. Oxford is more touristy than Trieste and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Trieste is well known for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Oxford different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Both Oxford and Trieste 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 Trieste. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Oxford or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Trieste has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Oxford or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford is not a beach destination.

Trieste has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Trieste is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Trieste?

Oxford is a college town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Oxford has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Trieste Better for Families?

Trieste 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.

Trieste is a very family-friendly destination. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

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 Trieste Better for Couples?

Oxford and Trieste 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 Trieste frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Oxford or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Trieste 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 Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

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 Trieste Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Many students visit Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Trieste 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 Trieste. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

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 Trieste a more walkable city?

Oxford and Trieste 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.

Trieste is a very walkable college town. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Oxford or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste 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 Trieste.

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

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

One day in Oxford or Trieste?

Oxford is a small town with plenty to do. This college town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Trieste. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Trieste?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

Oxford is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. Since Oxford is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Trieste. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Trieste. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives less rain than Trieste. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Trieste in the Autumn?

Both Trieste and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Trieste in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

Oxford is cooler than Trieste in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Trieste. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Trieste. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Trieste for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Trieste. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Trieste averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Trieste. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Trieste in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Trieste. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Trieste because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally much colder than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Trieste. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Oxford