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

Should you visit Windsor or Oxford?

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

Should I visit Windsor 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.

Windsor

Windsor is a royal, traditional, and touristy town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful, historic, and scholarly college town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Windsor and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Oxford?

Both Oxford and Windsor have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Windsor is very popular for its historical sights and small town charm, while Oxford attracts visitors for its nightlife and shopping. Windsor is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Windsor different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Windsor and Oxford.

Windsor offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

Many visitors head to Oxford specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Windsor or Oxford? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Windsor and Oxford both to be nice destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Windsor. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Oxford is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Windsor or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Oxford is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Windsor has a few options to choose from. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

Is Windsor or Oxford Better for its Old Town?

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

Windsor is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Oxford?

Oxford is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Oxford Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Oxford.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Windsor. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

Oxford offers lots of family activities. 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 Windsor or Oxford Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Windsor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

Oxford is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Is Windsor or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for students. However, Windsor 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.

Windsor is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Windsor and Oxford.

You'll find some public transit in Windsor, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system around town.

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

Is Windsor or Oxford a more walkable city?

Windsor and Oxford both are very good when exploring on foot.

Windsor is a very walkable town. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

Oxford is a very walkable destination. 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 Windsor Worth Visiting? and Is Oxford Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Oxford?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than Windsor. 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 Windsor 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 Windsor or Oxford?

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

In Oxford, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Windsor or Oxford?

Windsor 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.

In Oxford, you'll find food and shopping. 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.

Five days in Windsor or Oxford?

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

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.

A week in Windsor or Oxford?

Windsor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Oxford. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Oxford?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor 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 Windsor or Oxford?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Windsor or Oxford in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Oxford. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In the summer, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Oxford. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Oxford in the Autumn?

Both Oxford and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Windsor in the autumn for the small town atmosphere 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.

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

Windsor usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford during autumn. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oxford. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Windsor or Oxford in the Winter?

Both Oxford and Windsor during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Windsor for the museums 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. Windsor can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Windsor is a little warmer than Oxford. Typically, the winter temperatures in Windsor in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Oxford averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Oxford. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Oxford in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Oxford. The spring months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

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

Windsor usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oxford during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oxford. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Windsor