Meaning: preferir ... que.... & preferir ... en vez de...

Hola Emma

There are different ways to use preferir when we are choosing between one thing or another.

Generally, yes, that "que" introducing the second element could be translated as "than":

"Prefiero ir al parque que al centro comercial"

I prefer going to the park than to the mall.

The use of "en vez de..." before the second element is a bit more emphatic but it really means the same. Literally it is "instead of, rather than..."

"Prefiero ir al parque en vez de ir al centro comercial."

I prefer going to the park instead of / rather than going to the mall.

Saludos