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

Should you visit Mainz or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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 beautiful, peaceful, and historic 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Mainz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Lyon is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Mainz different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

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

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

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

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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 Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is terrific for its historic old town. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Lyon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

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 Lyon Better for Families?

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

Lyon is a very family-friendly destination. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Lyon are high quality 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 Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Mainz or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Lyon is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. 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.

Is Mainz or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Lyon is a very popular city for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

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

Lyon is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Lyon can take you anywhere. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit in Mainz can get you to some places easily. 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.

Is Mainz or Lyon a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Lyon?

In either Mainz or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Mainz or Lyon?

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.

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Lyon?

You'll find shopping and museums around the charming 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.

Lyon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Mainz or Lyon?

The historic 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Mainz and Lyon, we can see that Mainz 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Lyon?

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

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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Lyon. Most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Mainz or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In October, Mainz is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Lyon. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Mainz during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. Mainz is much colder than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Lyon. Many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives less rain than Lyon. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Mainz