A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Mainz for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Interlaken or Mainz?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Mainz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Mainz

Mainz is a charming, beautiful, and peaceful town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Mainz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mainz. Although Interlaken and Mainz are both popular with visitors, Mainz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mainz is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Mainz and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Mainz is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also home to The Mainz Cathedral.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Interlaken different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Mainz is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Mainz is not a skiing destination.

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

Mainz is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Mainz both to be superb destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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.

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Mainz is not a good area for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Mainz doesn't offer many options. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Mainz?

Mainz is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for Families?

Interlaken is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken or Mainz Better for Couples?

Interlaken is terrific for romance. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Interlaken or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Mainz are both good destinations for backpackers.

Interlaken is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mainz. 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 Interlaken or Mainz Better for Students?

Mainz is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Mainz is very popular with students. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Interlaken and Mainz.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. 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 Interlaken or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Interlaken or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Interlaken due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Mainz?

In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this adrenaline-filled destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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.

With museums and food around the beautiful town of Mainz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Mainz, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Interlaken or Mainz?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Mainz, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Mainz?

You'll find food and skiing around the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, 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 Interlaken and Mainz, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Mainz. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Interlaken during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Interlaken is a little warmer than Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Mainz. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Mainz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mainz can be very cold. Interlaken can be very cold during winter. In January, Interlaken is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Mainz. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Mainz. The spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Mainz. Interlaken gets 79 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 Interlaken