A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Mainz vs. Hannover for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Mainz or Hannover?

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 Hannover 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.

Hannover

Hannover is a cultural, dynamic, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Hannover: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Hannover?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hannover than Mainz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hannover is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Mainz is known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Hannover and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Hannover is popular for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system. It is also home to The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen.

How is Mainz different from Hannover?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Mainz or Hannover.

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.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

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

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

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Is Mainz or Hannover Better for Nightlife?

Hannover is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Hannover has a large number of nightlife venues. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

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 Hannover Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a great town for its historic old town. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Many people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Hannover?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Mainz and Hannover.

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.

Hannover offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Is Mainz or Hannover Better for Families?

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

Hannover is a family-friendly city. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

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 Hannover Better for Couples?

Mainz is a great town for romance. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Hannover makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Is Mainz or Hannover Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Hannover 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 Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

Is Mainz or Hannover Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Hannover are very good 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 Hannover. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Mainz and Hannover.

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 Hannover can get you to some places easily. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

Is Mainz or Hannover a more walkable city?

Mainz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Hannover is a very walkable town. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Hannover or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Hannover?

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

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

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

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 Hannover, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. This city 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 Hannover?

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 Hannover. 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 Hannover?

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.

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

A week in Mainz or Hannover?

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 diverse destination of Hannover. 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 Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, and The Best Music Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Mainz and Hannover, we can see that Hannover is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Hannover?

Hannover has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Hannover, 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 Hannover?

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 Hannover in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Hannover. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hannover for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Mainz is around the same temperature as Hannover in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Hannover fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives more sunshine than Hannover during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Hannover receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hannover. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Hannover in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Hannover. Many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Hannover in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mainz is around the same temperature as Hannover. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Hannover averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hannover. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hannover receives 104 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in October than Hannover. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Hannover in the Winter?

Both Hannover 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 Hannover for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hannover can be very cold during winter. Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mainz is generally much warmer than Hannover. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Hannover fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hannover during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Hannover receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Hannover. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Hannover in the Spring?

Both Hannover 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 Hannover because of the activities around the city.

Mainz is a little warmer than Hannover in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Hannover fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Hannover and Mainz