Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Mainz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mainz or Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary?
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!
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMainz €142Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Mainz is €142, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mainz and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMainz €74Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMainz €148Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Mainz and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Mainz or Karlovy Vary? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Mainz Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mainz €37Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Mainz or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Mainz change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMainz €41Karlovy Vary €25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mainz €33Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Mainz
For Mainz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Jewish Mainz: $207
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Cathedral and Diocesan Museum Mainz: $131
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Chagall Windows in Saint Stephan’s Mainz: $130
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Gutenberg Museum Mainz : $131
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Landesmuseum Mainz: $131
- 2 Hour Private Guided Family Walking Tour in Mainz : $206
- 2 Hour Private Guided Gentle Walking Tour: Mainz with the Elderly: $206
- 2 Hour Private Guided Tour: Landesmuseum Mainz: $206
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Cathedral and Old Mainz: $207
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Mainz Cathedral : $196
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Old Mainz: $196
- 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Gutenberg and Mainz Cathedral: $207
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $223
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMainz €22Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mainz and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Mainz is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mainz Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mainz or Karlovy Vary?
Mainz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Mainz is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMainz 19°C (66°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Mainz is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMainz 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary 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.
It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. The weather in Mainz can be very cold. In January, Mainz is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mainz usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMainz 2°C (35°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.
Mainz is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Karlovy Vary. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMainz 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Mainz
| Mainz | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.