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

Should you visit Mainz or Flam?

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

Flam

Flam is a beautiful, natural, and breathtaking village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking.

Mainz and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Flam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mainz. Although Mainz and Flam are both popular with visitors, Mainz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mainz is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping, while Flam is known for its nightlife, hiking, and small town charm. Mainz is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also home to The Mainz Cathedral. Flam is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mainz is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Mainz and Flam.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Flam. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Mainz or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Flam 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 Flam. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

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 Flam Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a great town for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Mainz or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Flam. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Flam?

Mainz is a good destination for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Mainz or Flam Better for Families?

Flam is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Flam is a very family-friendly destination. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

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 Flam Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Flam are very good 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 Flam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Mainz or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Flam are both good 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 Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Mainz or Flam Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Flam is not popular with students.

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

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

Visitors to Mainz can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Mainz or Flam a more walkable city?

Mainz is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its high level of walkability.

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

Flam is a very walkable town. There are many great walks in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Flam or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Flam 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 Flam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Mainz than Flam. 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 Flam 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 Flam?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Even though Flam is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This village 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 Flam?

Mainz is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Mainz or Flam?

You'll find shopping and museums around the peaceful destination of Mainz. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Flam is a fun place to experience. Flam is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Flam?

The quaint town of Mainz offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Flam is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Flam?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Flam. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mainz is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Mainz usually receives less rain than Flam. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Flam. Many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Flam in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mainz is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mainz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Flam can be very cold during winter. Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mainz is generally around the same temperature as Flam. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Flam. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Flam because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Mainz is much warmer than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mainz usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Mainz