A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Saint-Etienne for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Mainz and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mainz. Although Mainz and Saint-Etienne are about the same size, Mainz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mainz is very popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Mainz is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also well known for The Mainz Cathedral. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Mainz or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Mainz or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mainz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in 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 Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

Mainz is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly city. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Mainz is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Mainz is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Mainz is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Mainz or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Mainz than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the peaceful destination of Mainz. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this authentic 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Mainz. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

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

A week in Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful town of Mainz. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Saint-Etienne?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Saint-Etienne. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. Mainz is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Mainz