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

Should you visit Mainz or Auxerre?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and Auxerre can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Mainz

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

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Mainz and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mainz than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mainz is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm. Mainz is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Also, Mainz is famous for The Mainz Cathedral. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Mainz or Auxerre.

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.

Auxerre offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

Mainz is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Mainz or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Auxerre is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Auxerre. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

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 Mainz or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is great for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Auxerre?

Mainz is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Mainz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mainz or Auxerre Better for Families?

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

Auxerre is a family-friendly town. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

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 Mainz or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Mainz is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Mainz or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Mainz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Mainz or Auxerre Better for Students?

Mainz is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Mainz is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Mainz or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mainz than Auxerre 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 Mainz or Auxerre?

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.

In Auxerre, many people enjoy the food and museums that this under-rated destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Mainz or Auxerre?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. 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.

Five days in Mainz or Auxerre?

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.

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

A week in Mainz or Auxerre?

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.

You'll find museums and food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Auxerre?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Auxerre, 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 Mainz or Auxerre?

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 Mainz or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Auxerre. Many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Mainz is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 19°C (66°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Auxerre. Most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town atmosphere.

Mainz is cooler than Auxerre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Auxerre. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Mainz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

It's quite cold in Auxerre in the winter. The weather in Mainz can be very cold. In the winter, Mainz is much colder than Auxerre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mainz in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Auxerre averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm.

In April, Mainz is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Auxerre. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Mainz