A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mainz or Balaton Lake?

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 Balaton Lake 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.

Where Should I go: Mainz or Balaton Lake?

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!

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mainz and Balaton Lake, we can see that Mainz is more expensive. And not only is Balaton Lake much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Balaton Lake would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Balaton Lake 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 Balaton Lake.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Balaton Lake?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Balaton Lake, 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 Balaton Lake?

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 Mainz or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mainz is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 19°C (66°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Balaton Lake. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Mainz is cooler than Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Mainz during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Mainz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. The weather in Mainz can be very cold. In the winter, Mainz is much warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mainz in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in January than Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Balaton Lake. The natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In April, Mainz is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Mainz