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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Mainz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a quaint, peaceful, and historic university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

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.

Saint Andrews and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Mainz are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Mainz attracts visitors for its historical sights. Mainz is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course.

The Old Course
The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mainz and Saint Andrews. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Saint Andrews and Mainz.

Saint Andrews offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Mainz. 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 Saint Andrews or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Andrews and Mainz.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Andrews. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Mainz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews is a university town 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 Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

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 Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its beaches. However, Mainz is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saint Andrews. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Mainz is not a beach destination.


Is Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Mainz is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

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 Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Families?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly university town. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

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 Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Saint Andrews and Mainz are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Mainz is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.


Is Saint Andrews or Mainz Better for Students?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

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

Saint Andrews is a very popular university town for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

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

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

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Mainz is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Mainz can get you around 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 Andrews has some public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Is Saint Andrews or Mainz a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews
Mainz

Mainz is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Andrews or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Mainz. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Andrews 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 Andrews 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.


  • How many days in Saint Andrews or Mainz? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Andrews 1-2 
    Mainz 2-4

One day in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint 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.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. 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.

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.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the peaceful 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.


A week in Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Mainz or Saint Andrews?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Andrews is £215, while the average daily cost in Mainz is £121. 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 Saint Andrews and Mainz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Andrews £116
    Mainz £64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Andrews £232
    Mainz £128
Compare Hotels in Saint Andrews and Mainz

Looking for a hotel in Saint Andrews or Mainz? 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.

Hotels in Saint Andrews


Hotels in Mainz


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Andrews £53
    Mainz £31

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Prices for flights to both Mainz and Saint Andrews 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Andrews £62
    Mainz £35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Andrews £45
    Mainz £28

Tours and Activities in Saint Andrews

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Andrews are as follows:

  • Private St Andrews Dark Side Tour: $145
  • Private St Andrews Town Tour for Future Students: $146
  • Private St. Andrews Tour with Dedicated Local Guide: $146
  • Private St. Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Walking Tour: $146
  • Rebels, Romance & Raisins St. Andrew's Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • St Andrews - Watch Building Experience with Kartel Scotland: $245
  • St Andrews Ghost Tours: $20
  • St Andrews Golf Oriented Heritage Tours - Town and Old Course: $19
  • St Andrews History Tours: $19
  • St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour (11am & 2pm): $18
  • St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer: $19
  • St Andrews Walking Tours: $19

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Andrews £26
    Mainz £19


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Andrews and Mainz, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Mainz, 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 Saint Andrews or Mainz?

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 Saint Andrews or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Saint Andrews during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in July than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Andrews 14°C (58°F) 
    Mainz 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Mainz. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Andrews 10°C (49°F) 
    Mainz 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Mainz. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Saint Andrews can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is much warmer than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in January than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Andrews 3°C (38°F) 
    Mainz 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Mainz. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Andrews 7°C (45°F) 
    Mainz 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Mainz and Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews Mainz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (38°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)


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