Which place is cheaper, Mainz or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hofn or Mainz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn 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: Hofn or Mainz?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to 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 dayHofn $151Mainz $152
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, 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 Hofn and Mainz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $97Mainz $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $194Mainz $160
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Mainz
Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Mainz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $27Mainz $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Mainz?
Prices for flights to both Mainz and Hofn 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 dayHofn $36Mainz $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $18Mainz $36
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
- Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
- Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $291
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
Tours and Activities in Mainz
For Mainz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Jewish Mainz: $207
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Cathedral and Diocesan Museum Mainz: $131
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Chagall Windows in Saint Stephan’s Mainz: $131
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Gutenberg Museum Mainz : $131
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Landesmuseum Mainz: $131
- 2 Hour Private Guided Family Walking Tour in Mainz : $207
- 2 Hour Private Guided Gentle Walking Tour: Mainz with the Elderly: $207
- 2 Hour Private Guided Tour: Landesmuseum Mainz: $207
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Cathedral and Old Mainz: $207
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Mainz Cathedral : $197
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Old Mainz: $197
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Gutenberg and Mainz Cathedral: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $12Mainz $23
When comparing the travel costs between Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Mainz?
Mainz has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn or Mainz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Mainz. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hofn is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Mainz. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Mainz 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Mainz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Mainz. Additionally, 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 Hofn. Hofn is much colder than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Mainz 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Mainz in the Winter?
Both Mainz and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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. Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Mainz. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Mainz 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Mainz in the Spring?
Both Mainz and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.
Hofn can be very cold during spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Mainz. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Mainz 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Mainz and Hofn
| Hofn | Mainz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.