Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Mainz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mainz or Plzen?
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 Plzen 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 Plzen?
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!
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMainz €142Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Mainz is €142, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMainz €74Plzen €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMainz €148Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Mainz and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Mainz or Plzen? 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 Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mainz €37Plzen €7.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Mainz or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen 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 €41Plzen €29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mainz €33Plzen €20
Tours and Activities in Mainz
For Mainz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Romantic Old Town Self-guided Discovery Tour: $8.45
- Guided tour in Mainz on the Rhine in german and english: $21
- Mainz Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Tour: $22
- 2-Hour Advent Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Rhine: $22
- Crime-Tour - Escape Game: $42
- Self-Guided Urban Adventure Game: $43
- Urban Adventure Game in Mainz with an app: $44
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $51
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Mainz E-Bike City Tour: $74
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Mainz: $82
- Guided Hotrod City Starter Tour: $95
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMainz €22Plzen €22
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mainz and Plzen, we can see that Mainz is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mainz Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mainz or Plzen?
Mainz has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Plzen, 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 Plzen?
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 Plzen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Plzen. The summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.
Mainz is around the same temperature as Plzen in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plzen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In the summer, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.
Mainz usually gets less rain in July than Plzen. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMainz 19°C (66°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Plzen in the Autumn?
Both Plzen and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.
In the autumn, Mainz is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mainz usually receives more rain than Plzen. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMainz 11°C (51°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Plzen in the Winter?
Both Plzen and Mainz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Plzen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. In January, Mainz is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.
Mainz usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMainz 2°C (35°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Mainz or Plzen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Plzen. Many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.
Mainz is around the same temperature as Plzen in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mainz usually receives more rain than Plzen. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMainz 11°C (51°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Mainz
| Mainz | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.