Mainz vs. Frankfurt
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
These Mainz walking tours are self-guided and great:
http://www.mainz.de/WGAPublisher/onl...uz-5u6gql.en.0
I did the Museums, Churches and Palaces one and had a good day. The starting point is not too far from the Haupt Bahnhof. I didn't need a big meal, but the tour took me past a variety of interesting-looking restaurants.
http://www.mainz.de/WGAPublisher/onl...uz-5u6gql.en.0
I did the Museums, Churches and Palaces one and had a good day. The starting point is not too far from the Haupt Bahnhof. I didn't need a big meal, but the tour took me past a variety of interesting-looking restaurants.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
These walking tours look great. Thanks for posting the link.
If travel plans hold together, I will head to Mainz during a FRA layover this weekend and use one of these guides.
If travel plans hold together, I will head to Mainz during a FRA layover this weekend and use one of these guides.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Just a note of thanks again for the walking tour link. I used them for a general guide to the area during a recent layover and they were very helpful.
I just posted about the layover on a trip report I am putting together, including some pictures from Mainz.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23321741-post14.html
I just posted about the layover on a trip report I am putting together, including some pictures from Mainz.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23321741-post14.html
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
If you're gong to use Uber to/from the airport, there are some countryside castle hotels that I would suggest instead for a single night and good dinner near the airport. Mainz is a nice town to stroll around, but part of its attraction is the convenient train service to/from FRA.
Another small town alternative, in addition to Wiesbaden, is the wine village of Rudesheim, although I think the hotel choices there are more limited.
Another small town alternative, in addition to Wiesbaden, is the wine village of Rudesheim, although I think the hotel choices there are more limited.
#21
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
From the HR Mainz it's about 800 m walk to the station called Mainz Römisches Theater and from there about 25 mins on the S-Bahn to FRA.
Cost per person one-way € 4,55.
A regular (cream-coloured) taxi would probably cost around € 80.
Cheapest way I have ever got there was bumming a lift on the Gulfair crewbus from the Hilton up the road from the HR. Cost nothing.
Last edited by AlienInTheFatherland; Apr 5, 2015 at 11:32 am
#22
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
Mainz hotels for a 21-hour FRA layover?
In 2 weeks, we arrive FRA from MAD 3:45 pm, depart for ORD next day at 1:00 p.m. Mainz looks like an interesting alternative to the FRA hotels (I did HGI its first week open, years back)...given the shortening days, I suspect we'd have time only to have a nice dinner the evening of our arrival, and do 1-2 hours of walking the next day before taking train back to FRA - does this sound worth it? If so, hotel recommendations in Mainz please - I have Hilton, SPG and Marriott points to spare, but would consider cold hard cash for an interesting alternative.
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Why not go to Wiesbaden? The Nassauer Hof is a very nice hotel, and Wiesbaden as a city is at least as interesting as Mainz. Or you could try one of the nice hotels northwest of Frankfurt, including Schlosshotel Kronberg or Villa Rothschild. You're not going to do much more than a dinner and a stroll, as you say, so why not make it about a nice stay in the hotel? There is no great hotel in Mainz. The Hyatt is probably the best, but nothing special.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 154
In my experience living five years in Mainz, the S-Bahn and regional trains (RE) are more reliable than the express trains. This of course is also true from Frankfurt.
Depending on the location of your hotel, Mainz is about 10 minutes longer train ride to the airport then from Frankfurt. But it's well worth it. It's lovely to take a walk along the river, or just sit in the main square under the cathedral having a beer or a glass of wine. Try the Weinhaus Schreiner for dinner, and don't miss the Gutenberg museum in the center of town-it has an original Gutenberg Bible and many incredible illustrated manuscripts. Another popular tourist attraction in Mainz and well worth seeing are the Chagall stained-glass windows in Saint Stephen's Church. Finally, Mainz has a ridiculous number of Roman ruins and there are museums devoted to the ships etc. that were found in Mainz, and the former Mainz South train station is actually a Roman amphitheater that can be viewed from the platform, so that that (RE, S) station is now called "Römisches Theater".
Enjoy your time there!
Depending on the location of your hotel, Mainz is about 10 minutes longer train ride to the airport then from Frankfurt. But it's well worth it. It's lovely to take a walk along the river, or just sit in the main square under the cathedral having a beer or a glass of wine. Try the Weinhaus Schreiner for dinner, and don't miss the Gutenberg museum in the center of town-it has an original Gutenberg Bible and many incredible illustrated manuscripts. Another popular tourist attraction in Mainz and well worth seeing are the Chagall stained-glass windows in Saint Stephen's Church. Finally, Mainz has a ridiculous number of Roman ruins and there are museums devoted to the ships etc. that were found in Mainz, and the former Mainz South train station is actually a Roman amphitheater that can be viewed from the platform, so that that (RE, S) station is now called "Römisches Theater".
Enjoy your time there!
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Why not go to Wiesbaden? The Nassauer Hof is a very nice hotel, and Wiesbaden as a city is at least as interesting as Mainz. Or you could try one of the nice hotels northwest of Frankfurt, including Schlosshotel Kronberg or Villa Rothschild. You're not going to do much more than a dinner and a stroll, as you say, so why not make it about a nice stay in the hotel? There is no great hotel in Mainz. The Hyatt is probably the best, but nothing special.