A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Southampton vs. Oxford for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Southampton or Oxford?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Oxford? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a up-and-coming, waterfront, and dynamic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Southampton and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Oxford?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Oxford than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Oxford, Oxford has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Oxford is more touristy than Southampton and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. It is also well known for Radcliffe Square. Southampton is famous for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

Radcliffe Square

How is Southampton different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oxford and Southampton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Oxford?

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

Oxford offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Oxford can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Oxford area. 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 Southampton or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a great college town for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Oxford has something for everybody. 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 Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Oxford?

If you're looking to go shopping, Southampton and Oxford both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Many visitors go to Oxford to go shopping. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Southampton or Oxford Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Oxford.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Oxford is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Southampton or Oxford Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Oxford make for a very good place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Southampton or Oxford Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Oxford is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Oxford offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Oxford a more walkable city?

Oxford is a great college town for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Oxford?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oxford than Southampton 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 Southampton or Oxford?

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

Oxford is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Oxford?

Southampton 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.

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This college town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Oxford?

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

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of Southampton. 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.

Since Oxford is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Oxford, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Oxford Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Oxford?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Oxford, 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 Southampton or Oxford?

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 Southampton or Oxford in the Summer?

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

In July, Southampton is generally around the same temperature as Oxford. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 18°C (64°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oxford. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Oxford in the Autumn?

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

Southampton is around the same temperature as Oxford in the autumn. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Oxford fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Oxford. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Oxford in the Winter?

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

The weather in Oxford can be very cold. Southampton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Southampton is a little warmer than Oxford. Typically, the winter temperatures in Southampton in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Oxford averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Southampton or Oxford in the Spring?

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

In April, Southampton is generally around the same temperature as Oxford. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 9°C (48°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

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

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Oxford. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Southampton