A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Mainz for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Tartu or Mainz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Mainz 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a cultural, historical, and lively university town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife.

Mainz

Mainz is a peaceful, historic, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Tartu and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Mainz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Mainz than Tartu. Mainz is bigger than Tartu, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Mainz is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Tartu is more popular for its nightlife. Mainz is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Also, Mainz is famous for The Mainz Cathedral. Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Tartu different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tartu or Mainz?

Mainz is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tartu or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Tartu has a large number of nightlife venues. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Mainz have great historic old towns worth visiting.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Mainz?

Mainz is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Mainz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Mainz Better for Families?

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

Tartu is a family-friendly university town. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

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 Tartu or Mainz Better for Couples?

Mainz is a great town for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Tartu is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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.

Is Tartu or Mainz Better for Students?

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

Tartu is a very popular university town for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

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

Mainz is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Tartu or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its walkability.

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

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Tartu or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

Couples should spend more time in Mainz than Tartu. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mainz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tartu than Mainz 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 Tartu.

One day in Tartu or Mainz?

In Tartu, many people enjoy the nightlife that this lively destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Mainz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Tartu or Mainz?

Tartu is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Mainz?

You'll find nightlife around the historical destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 food and shopping around the quaint destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, 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 Tartu and Mainz, we can see that Mainz is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Mainz. The summer months attract visitors to Tartu because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Mainz. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Mainz. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tartu is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mainz. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. Tartu is much colder than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Mainz. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months.

Tartu can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

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

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Tartu 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 Tartu