A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Mainz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Mainz?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mainz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Mainz?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

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!

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Mainz?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Mainz?

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 Saint Petersburg or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Mainz. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Mainz. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Mainz. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Saint Petersburg