Hi,

My mom and I are wondering if it's better to stay in Frankfurt the last day/night of our trip or stay in Mainz. We would need to be at the Frankfurt Airport by 8:30 in the morning the next day for our 10:30 flight back to the states. Are there enough trains running early enough from Mainz or would Frankfurt be easier?

There are a lot more trains from Frankfurt so the access is faster and easier. I just missed the train to the airport when I got to the train station and ended up with a long delay which became stressful. I never have that problem coming from Frankfurt.

I've stayed in both towns a number of times and like them equally. If you stay in modern Frankfurt, stay closer to the Fressgasse (Food-lane) where the restaurants and shops are. You can also walk south to the renovated Roemer area for a taste of old Frankfurt or go to the Sachsenhausen area.

I had a much different experience than <b>DAX</b>,

there are trains leaving from Mainz to FRA every 10-15 minutes and I never had a problem. I like Mainz for the last night before flying.

Here is a quick look at the train schedule:

<i>Mainz Hbf We, 09.01.08 dep 07:40 0:19 0 ICE 11,50 EUR
Reservation Reservation possible
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf We, 09.01.08 arr 07:59
Mainz Hbf We, 09.01.08 dep 07:43 0:24 0 RE Fares not available
No OnlineTickets possible
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf We, 09.01.08 arr 08:07
Mainz Hbf We, 09.01.08 dep 07:57 0:24 0 RE Fares not available
No OnlineTickets possible
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf We, 09.01.08 arr 08:21
Mainz Hbf We, 09.01.08 dep 08:02 0:27 0 S Fares not available
No OnlineTickets possible
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf We, 09.01.08 arr 08:29</i>

You can get more info on trains here:

http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml

Thank you so much for your help! I will show this to my mom so we can make a final decision. That was very good information!

Here is a big vote for Mainz!

Both cities have frequent train service to the airport, but I prefer Mainz, because it is smaller, with a nice old town and square across the street from the Rhein. It really has a lot to offer, and maybe on your next visit you'll even stay there for a couple days. It is just more liveable than the big metropolis of Frankfurt.

To be fair, many people scoffed at Frankfurt without ever trying to experience the city, some never even stay overnight in Frankfurt. It is a large city but each section has its own centrum much like Hamburg so you can get different flavors in different parts of Frankfurt.

Frankfurt offers more choices and has better restaurants, hotels, shops &amp; museums (Staedel museum comes to mind). There are more frequent trains to the airport from Frankfurt (every 2 to 7 minute):

Frankfurt 8:02 - Airport 8:13 (11 minute ride)
Frankfurt 8:08 - Airport 8:19 (11 minute ride)
Frankfurt 8:10 - Airport 8:21 (11 minute ride)
Frankfurt 8:17 - Airport 8:28 (11 minute ride)

I don't think anybody scoffed at Frankfurt. I've stayed in the city numerous times but even then I usually chose Mainz for my last night. For me it's just the right mixture of a nice restaurants for the last German feast, some great bars for few more beers and quality but cheaper lodging. It has some great history if that's what somebody is looking for.

I agree with you that Frankfurt, for obvious reasons, has a great deal more to offer but when I'm just looking for an early but fun evening before a long day of flying, Mainz is it for me.

The 15-20 minute longer train ride to the airport doesn't bother me at all.

Of course YMMV.

The Hauptbahnhof in Mainz is farther away from the airport than Frankfurt, but there are three descent hotels (Hammer, Schottenhof, and K&ouml;nigshof)conveniently located a short walk across the Bahnhofplatz to the station. I've stayed twice at Schottenhof, and it was nice, but K&ouml;nigshof (www.hotel-koenigshof-mainz)is slightly closer to the station and looks nicer.

You might find something suitable near one of the other S-bahn stations in Frankfurt, but I spent some time walking around the Hauptbahnhof neighborhood, and I thought it looked rather shabby.

Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions! This has been a big help and what a great outlet to ask questions.