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

Should you visit Oxford or Venice?

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

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

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Venice?

You'll generally find more things to do in Venice than Oxford. Venice is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Venice is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Oxford is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm. Venice is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Also, Venice is famous for St. Mark's Basilica. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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 Venice from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Oxford and Venice 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 Venice. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Oxford or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Oxford or Venice Better for its Old Town?

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

Venice has a world-famous historical area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Venice?

Venice 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 Venice. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very family-friendly destination. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

Venice is very popular for romance. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Venice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Couples visit Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Oxford or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Venice is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Venice are terrific 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.

Venice is a very popular college town for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice 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.

Venice has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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 Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Venice?

Both Oxford and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Oxford. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Venice?

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. 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 Venice?

Oxford 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.

Venice 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 Venice?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Venice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Venice?

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. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Venice. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Oxford much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oxford would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oxford 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Oxford.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Venice?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Venice. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Venice because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Venice. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Venice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Venice this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Venice during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Oxford or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Venice. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

Oxford is cooler than Venice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Venice. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Venice. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Venice in the Winter?

Both Venice and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Venice. It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. In the winter, Oxford is a little warmer than Venice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Venice averages at about 3°C (37°F).

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

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Venice. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Oxford during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Venice in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Oxford is generally cooler than Venice. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Venice fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Venice. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and Oxford