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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Mainz?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna 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: Savonlinna or Mainz?

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

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 Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Mainz or Savonlinna?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €104, while the average daily cost in Mainz is €142. 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 Savonlinna and Mainz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Mainz 74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Mainz 148
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Mainz

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna


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: Savonlinna Hotel Prices and Mainz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Mainz 37

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Mainz?

Prices for flights to both Mainz and Savonlinna 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
    Savonlinna 27
    Mainz 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Mainz 33

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
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Mainz 22


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

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


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Savonlinna during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Savonlinna is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savonlinna. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in July than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F) 
    Mainz 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Mainz. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Savonlinna can be very cold during autumn. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F) 
    Mainz 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Mainz. Additionally, 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 Savonlinna can be very cold. Savonlinna is much colder than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in January than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Mainz 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the spring. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Mainz. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Mainz 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Mainz and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Mainz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)