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

Should you visit Glasgow or Mainz?

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

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

Glasgow

Glasgow is a cultural, historic, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Glasgow and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Mainz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Glasgow than Mainz. Glasgow is bigger than Mainz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Glasgow is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Mainz is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. Also, Glasgow is famous for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Glasgow different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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 Glasgow or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mainz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Glasgow or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is terrific for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Glasgow is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow or Mainz Better for Music?

Glasgow is terrific for live music. However, Mainz is not a live music destination.

Glasgow is known as a music capital around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Mainz is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Mainz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Glasgow and Mainz both offer plenty of notable spots.

Glasgow has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Mainz is a great destination for shopping. 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 Glasgow or Mainz Better for Families?

Glasgow is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Glasgow is a family-friendly city. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

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 Glasgow or Mainz Better for Couples?

Mainz is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Mainz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Glasgow or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Mainz are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

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 Glasgow or Mainz Better for Students?

For students, both Glasgow and Mainz are high quality places to visit.

Glasgow is a great city to visit as a student. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

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

Glasgow and Mainz both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit in Mainz is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 Glasgow or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Mainz is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Mainz?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Mainz than Glasgow. 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.

One day in Glasgow or Mainz?

In Glasgow, many people enjoy the live music and food that this friendly destination offers. This city 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.

In Mainz, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Glasgow or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

In Mainz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mainz has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Mainz?

Glasgow is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Glasgow. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Glasgow or Mainz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Glasgow. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mainz. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Glasgow and Mainz, we can see that Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Mainz?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Mainz?

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 Glasgow or Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Mainz. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Mainz. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Mainz. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Glasgow is generally around the same temperature as Mainz. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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. Glasgow can get quite cold in the winter. Glasgow is much warmer than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Mainz. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Glasgow is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Mainz. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Glasgow