A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Mainz for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Basel or Mainz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel 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.

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Basel and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Basel. Although Basel and Mainz are popular destinations, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Mainz attracts visitors for its food. Mainz is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Basel different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Basel or Mainz?

Basel is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Basel is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Mainz both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Mainz is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Mainz?

Basel is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Couples?

Mainz is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Mainz are nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Mainz is a good city to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Students?

Basel and Mainz are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Is Basel or Mainz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Basel and Mainz offer high quality public transit options.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

The public transit in Mainz can get you to most places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Basel or Mainz a more walkable city?

Basel and Mainz both are first-rate when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Basel?

How long in Basel or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Mainz 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 Basel.

One day in Basel or Mainz?

In Basel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this museum-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Mainz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Mainz?

Basel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the museum-filled destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Mainz, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Mainz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mainz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mainz 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Mainz.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally a little warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Mainz. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Mainz. Many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Basel is a little warmer than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Mainz. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Mainz. Many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Basel can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Mainz. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Mainz. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Mainz. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Basel