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

Should you visit Toledo or Oxford?

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

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

Toledo

Toledo is a medieval, fascinating, and beautiful city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

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. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Toledo and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toledo or Oxford?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Toledo than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Toledo, Toledo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Toledo is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Oxford is known for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Toledo is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its medieval buildings, ancient landmarks, and fascinating history. It is also home to the Catedral de Toledo. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Toledo different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Toledo or Oxford.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Toledo can be an interesting and educational experience. This medieval city is filled with ancient landmarks including the iconic Catedral de Toledo. In the old town you'll find many many historic buildings and a fascinating Jewish Quarter. Other notable sights include the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, the Alcázar de Toledo, and the Museo de Santa Cruz.

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 Toledo or Oxford? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toledo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Toledo. The city offers a great cuisine at a reasonable price. The dishes are influenced by the city's diverse past. You'll find many meat dishes due to the area's long running tradition of hunting. There are also classic dishes like carcamusas, which is pork covered in a tomato sauce. Dishes in general tend to be heavy and saucy with filling and delicious flavors.

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 Toledo or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Toledo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Most tourists visit the town as a day trip, so things can quiet down somewhat at night. There is a large student population that frequents the bars around town and help keep things lively.

Is Toledo or Oxford Better for its Old Town?

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

Toledo has a world-famous historical area. Perched on a hill and spilling out around the cathedral, this Spanish old town is filled with historic landmarks.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toledo or Oxford?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Toledo and Oxford.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Toledo. Calle Comercio is the main shopping street in town and there are two major shopping malls in the new part of town.

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 Toledo or Oxford Better for Families?

Toledo and Oxford are both good destinations for the whole family.

Toledo is a family-friendly city. The ancient streets are fun to explore. There are city gates, ancient Arab walls, and older kids will be fascinated by a visit to the Toledo Torture Museum. The city is known for its swords, and there are shops that you can visit to learn about this craft.

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 Toledo or Oxford Better for Couples?

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

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.

Toledo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an ancient city that is filled with fascinating history and impressive historic sights. Couples will enjoy wandering the medieval streets and visiting the ancient gates.

Is Toledo or Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toledo 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 Toledo. Many travelers visit Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, but for backpackers who want to spend more time, there are a handful of hostels in town.

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 Toledo or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is an amazing college town to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Toledo. The city is popular with students, and you'll find many activities and a lively atmosphere both during the day and at night.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Toledo and Oxford.

Toledo has some public transit options. There is a good bus system through 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 Toledo or Oxford a more walkable city?

Toledo and Oxford are superb when it comes to walkability.

Toledo is very walkable. It's a compact and easily walkable city, particularly within the old town. The bus and train stations are also about a 15 or 20 minute walk from the city center.

Oxford is a very walkable city. 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 Toledo Worth Visiting? and Is Oxford Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Toledo?

How long in Toledo or Oxford?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toledo and Oxford. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oxford than in Toledo. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toledo, and 1-3 days is enough time in Oxford.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Toledo. 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 Toledo 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 Toledo.

One day in Toledo or Oxford?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toledo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Toledo or Oxford?

Toledo 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 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 Toledo or Oxford?

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

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.

A week in Toledo or Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Toledo. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toledo or Oxford?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Toledo. When comparing the sizes of Toledo 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.