Which place is cheaper, Mainz or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Mainz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Mainz, 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.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or Mainz?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
Mainz
On the Rhine River, the ages of the medieval stand before you in their half-timbered constructions, giving this quaint, old town a hint of the spellbinding. A time capsule of Germany, Mainz is enriched by its vast history as well as its cosmopolitan air. Dating back to around 38 BC, Mainz was built by Romans and founded as the the episcopal seat of the influential Prince-Electors. With its history spanning more than 2,000 years, Mainz is rich in its exquisite architecture, such as its stunning cathedrals, medieval market squares, and Renaissance fountains. However, Mainz also has been blessed with the joys and comforts of modernization, giving way to fantastic shopping centers, tasty restaurants, and absolutely fascinating museums. A media hub and regional capital, Mainz is also known as the wine capital of Germany as its civilians have a long history of winegrowing throughout the city. Whether you seek to oogle at artifacts at the Gutenberg Museum or sit a spell at one of the town's fine eateries, the possibilities are endless in Mainz!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Mainz $152
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Mainz is $152. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Akureyri and Mainz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Mainz $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Mainz $160
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Mainz
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Mainz? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Akureyri Hotel Prices and Mainz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Mainz $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,336
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $114
- Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Mainz?
Prices for flights to both Mainz and Akureyri change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAkureyri $35Mainz $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Mainz $36
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Private Tour with Myvatn Nature Baths by Luxury VAN: $1,957
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
- Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Tour: $122
- Hunt for the Northern Lights Photography Tour: $124
- Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Landscapes Tour: $155
- Mývatn Nature Baths and Goðafoss Waterfall Tour: $210
- Northern Lights Photography Tour: $141
- Northern Lights Tour: $107
- Northern Lights Tour in North Iceland: $120
- Siglufjörður Four Tunnel Private Day Tour: $748
- Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
- Zipline Tour: $90
Tours and Activities in Mainz
For Mainz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Romantic Old Town Self-guided Discovery Tour: $8.45
- Guided tour in Mainz on the Rhine in german and english: $21
- Mainz Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Tour: $22
- 2-Hour Advent Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Rhine: $22
- Crime-Tour - Escape Game: $42
- Self-Guided Urban Adventure Game: $43
- Urban Adventure Game in Mainz with an app: $44
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $51
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Mainz E-Bike City Tour: $74
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Mainz: $82
- Guided Hotrod City Starter Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Mainz $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143
When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Mainz, we can see that Mainz 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 Akureyri Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Mainz?
Mainz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Mainz, 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 Akureyri or Mainz?
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 Akureyri or Mainz in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Mainz. Additionally, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is much colder than Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mainz. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Mainz. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Mainz 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Mainz in the Autumn?
Both Mainz and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Mainz. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Mainz 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Mainz in the Winter?
Both Mainz and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Mainz can be very cold during winter. Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in January than Mainz. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Mainz 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Mainz in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Mainz. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.
Akureyri can be very cold during spring. Akureyri is much colder than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Mainz. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Mainz 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Mainz and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Mainz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.