A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Versailles for Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Mainz or Versailles?

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 Versailles 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Versailles

Versailles is a historic, extensive, and beautiful palace. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums.

Mainz and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Versailles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mainz than Versailles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Mainz is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Versailles is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Mainz and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Mainz is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also home to The Mainz Cathedral.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles 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 Versailles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Mainz is mediocre for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mainz It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a great town for its historic old town. However, Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Versailles?

Mainz is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for Families?

Mainz is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

For families, Mainz is not always the best place to visit. 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Versailles 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 Versailles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Mainz or Versailles Better for Students?

Mainz is a great town for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

Mainz is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Mainz and Versailles.

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 Versailles can get you to some places easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

Is Mainz or Versailles a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Versailles is not as popular, but is still a nice palace for its high level of walkability.

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

Versailles is a very walkable town. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Versailles?

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

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

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

With museums and food around the charming town of Mainz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Versailles, many people enjoy the museums that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With food and shopping around the destination of Mainz, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. 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 Versailles?

Mainz, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Versailles. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Versailles?

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums around the grand destination of Versailles. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mainz and Versailles, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Mainz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mainz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mainz 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles than you might in Mainz.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Versailles?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Versailles. Most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mainz is around the same temperature as Versailles in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Versailles fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Versailles 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 Versailles during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than Versailles. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Versailles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Versailles. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

In the autumn, Mainz is cooler than Versailles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Versailles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Versailles. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Versailles for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Versailles. It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. In January, Mainz is generally much colder than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Versailles. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Versailles in the Spring?

Both Versailles and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Versailles in the spring for the natural beauty.

Mainz is around the same temperature as Versailles in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Versailles fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Versailles. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Versailles. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Mainz