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

Should you visit Oxford or Carcassonne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Carcassonne, 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. Oxford is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Oxford travel costs.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Carcassonne is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums. See Carcassonne travel costs.

Oxford and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Carcassonne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Carcassonne. Although Oxford and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Carcassonne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Carcassonne is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Oxford is known for its nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. It is also home to La Cité de Carcassonne. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

La Cité de Carcassonne

How is Oxford different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Oxford or Carcassonne.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Oxford or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of bars and a few clubs around town that keep the energy lively. It's beautiful to walk between spots, as many of the buildings are lit up and strikingly beautiful.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

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

Carcassonne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Carcassonne?

Oxford is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne More Beautiful?

Oxford is very popular for its scenery and beauty. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Oxford is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The history and architecture make this a beautiful destination.

Carcassonne is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is filled with history and well preserved medieval sights.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne Better for Families?

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

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Oxford is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

Oxford is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

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

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Oxford or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oxford or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oxford than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

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

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

One day in Oxford or Carcassonne?

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.

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

A weekend in Oxford or Carcassonne?

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.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

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.

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

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Carcassonne. This 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Carcassonne?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is cooler than Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oxford in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Oxford is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine.

Oxford can be very cold during winter. In January, Oxford is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

In January, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Carcassonne. The spring months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Oxford is much colder than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Oxford