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

Should you visit Mainz or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux 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 quaint, charming, and beautiful town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Bordeaux?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bordeaux than Mainz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bordeaux is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz attracts visitors for its historical sights. Bordeaux is more touristy than Mainz and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also well known for Cathédrale Saint-André. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares.

How is Mainz different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Mainz or Bordeaux.

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.

Bordeaux offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Bordeaux is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Bordeaux have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Mainz or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Bordeaux is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bordeaux. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

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 Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a great destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Mainz or Bordeaux Better for Families?

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

Bordeaux is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

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 Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Bordeaux are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Mainz or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Bordeaux are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Mainz or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Bordeaux are excellent destinations for students.

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

Many students visit Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Mainz and Bordeaux.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Mainz. 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.

Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Mainz or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Bordeaux?

In either Mainz or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Mainz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

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

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

One day in Mainz or Bordeaux?

The beautiful town of Mainz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Bordeaux, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

A weekend in Mainz or Bordeaux?

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mainz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Mainz is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bordeaux is a fun place to experience. In Bordeaux, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Mainz or Bordeaux?

Mainz is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Bordeaux. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux and Mainz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Bordeaux, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mainz. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in July than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Bordeaux. Many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Mainz is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Bordeaux. Most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Mainz is much colder than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bordeaux. Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Bordeaux in the Spring?

Both Bordeaux and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In the spring, Mainz is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mainz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Mainz