🇩🇪 Mainz, Germany
Zur Birke
📍 87, Neue Mainzer Straße, Mainz, 55129
Your stay — Zur Birke
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Mainz.
The Property — Zur Birke
A solid, no-nonsense 3-star in a quiet corner of Mainz's old town, a five-minute walk from the cathedral. The lobby is functional and clean, with dark wood furniture, a small bar off to one side, and staff who are efficient rather than effusive. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a central base without paying for frills, and who value a decent night's sleep on firm mattresses over design flourishes.
Chronicles of Mainz
Mainz began as a Roman military camp (Mogontiacum) around 13 BC, and quickly grew into a provincial capital. Its medieval peak came as the seat of the Archbishop-Elector, and it was here that Johannes Gutenberg perfected movable-type printing around 1450, changing the world. The city was heavily bombed in WWII, so much of the central Altstadt is post-war reconstruction, though the Romanesque cathedral and select Baroque townhouses survive. Today Mainz is a confident state capital (Rhineland-Palatinate) and a media hub, home to ZDF, the national broadcaster, and a lively wine culture that spills out into the streets during summer.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mainz guide →Best months
May to June and September: warm enough for terrace dining and river walks, but before the July–August tourist crush and summer heat. The wine taverns are open, and crowds at the Gutenberg Museum are manageable.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: warm weather draws day-trippers and families, and prices at Zur Birke can rise 20–30% above shoulder-season rates. The Mainz Wine Market (Weinmarkt) in late August is the big draw, filling the old town with stalls and crowds.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: noticeably cheaper (15–25% off peak rates), with fewer visitors. April can still be chilly and rainy, but October offers crisp days and the harvest-season wine festivities.
Weather & packing
Mainz sits in a rain-shadow east of the Hunsrück hills, so it's one of Germany's drier cities, but summer thunderstorms can appear suddenly. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket that you can shove in a day bag, and comfortable shoes for cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Mainz
- The Mainz ring road (Am Zoll- und Binnenhafen) has lane closures around the Rheingoldhalle until late 2026 for tram-track repairs, causing evening delays for drivers heading into the Altstadt from the east.
- The Gutenberg Museum is closed for renovation until 2028; its temporary exhibition space at the former police station (Rochusstraße) is smaller and ticketed, so book ahead or skip it.
- Several new wine bars have opened along Grebenstraße in the last year: try Weinstube zur Kanzel for a serious Riesling list without tourist markups.
Hotel Facilities — Zur Birke
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up; no login, just accept terms.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Free digital PressReader access via QR code in lobby; no physical papers.
Check-in from 15:00 to 22:00; early bag drop from 11:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 14:00 for 25 EUR (subject to availability).
Free luggage room behind reception; no lockers, attendant on duty until 22:00.
Step-free entrance from street; lift to all floors; one adapted room on ground floor (Room 104) with roll-in shower and grab rails.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Parkhaus Altstadt' at 12, Große Bleiche (5 min walk), 18 EUR per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 5.00 EUR per person per night (includes public transport pass)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; 50 EUR incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Islamischer Kulturverein Mainz e.V. (544 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Bosnische Moschee (785 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Evangelisches Gemeindezentrum (874 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Gemeindehaus Frankenhöhe (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Klara-Schapiro-Anlage — 660 m · ~8 min walk
Ziegelmuseum Alte Ziegelei — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Schauspielschule Mainz — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Spielplatz Fliederweg — 126 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 544 m · ~7 min walk
Rosen-Apotheke — 63 m · ~1 min walk
Foodsharing Fairteiler — 894 m · ~11 min walk
Am Schinnergraben — 848 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid the exchange bureaux at Frankfurt Airport or Mainz Hauptbahnhof, which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; contactless and Apple Pay are common. Small bakeries and some market stalls may be cash-only.
Round up to the nearest euro or add about 5–10% in restaurants (no obligation). Taxis: round up to the next euro. No tipping for hotel staff except for heavy bags or long stays (€1–2).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Takeaway filter coffee from a bakery: around €1.50–2.00. Stand-and-sip at a counter is cheaper than table service.
A belegtes Brötchen (filled roll) or soup from a bakery: about €3.50–5.00.
A main course at a Turkish restaurant or pizzeria: €9–12.
Döner kebab shops and Asian quick-service places (like Asia Inn) in Neustadt and around the station. The weekly farmers' market on Schillerplatz has takeaway Flammkuchen.
Aldi, Lidl, Penny (discount) and Rewe (mid-range) are dotted around 55129, especially on Am Ostergraben and near the S-Bahn station.
The shopping streets near Schillerplatz (e.g., Große Bleiche) have C&A and H&M. For cheap brands use TK Maxx in the city centre.
A single RMV bus/tram ticket €3.20 (2024). A day pass within Mainz: €7.40. For Frankfurt Airport: S-Bahn S8 line (single €4.90, day return €10.70).
Drink tap water – it's safe. Carry cash for the weekly market and smaller places in the suburbs. Buy a RMV day pass if making more than two trips in one day.
Good to know — Mainz
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mainz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Zur Birke
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 544 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Rosen-Apotheke — 63 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Frankfurt Airport (FRA) → Mainz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Take the S8 direct to Mainz Hbf. It's cheaper than the ICE and you don't need to change. From the station, it's a 10-minute walk or short tram ride to Hotel Adler.
Frankfurt Airport (Fernbahnhof or Regionalbahnhof) → Mainz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Take the S8 (direction Wiesbaden) from the regional station — it's cheaper than the ICE and runs more often. Validate your ticket at the blue machine before boarding.
Frankfurt Airport (Terminal 1) → Mainz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Buy a round-trip ticket at the airport machine to save about 2 euros. The bus stops right outside arrivals, no need to go downstairs to the train station.
Mainz Hauptbahnhof → Bürgerhaus, Hechtsheim (near Bs Apartments Mainz)
💡 Get off at 'Bürgerhaus' stop, then it's a 7-minute walk east. Avoid the late-night 51 — it takes a loop through Bretzenheim and adds 10 minutes.
Mainz Hauptbahnhof (tram stop 'Hauptbahnhof') → ibis Hotel Mainz City (stop 'Römerpassage' or 'Höfchen')
💡 Exit Hbf via the south tunnel and follow the tram signs at street level. Tram 50 stops closer – get off at 'Höfchen' for a 2-minute walk to the ibis. Buy a single from the machine at the stop – exact change helps.
Mainz Hauptbahnhof → Hotel Adler (Höfchen/Listmann)
💡 Trams 50 and 51 both stop right at Höfchen/Listmann, a five-minute walk from the Adler. Buy a single ticket from the machine on the platform – you can use cash or card, but avoid buying on board as it costs more.
Mainz Hauptbahnhof → Hotel Adler (Schillerplatz)
💡 Bus 6 drops you at Schillerplatz, barely a minute from the hotel entrance. It's slower than the tram but runs later on weekends. Buy a day pass if you're sightseeing – €5.60 for single zone covers unlimited trips and is cheaper than two singles.
Frankfurt Airport P36 bus stop → Mainz city (Hauptbahnhof or central stops)
💡 Book ahead for the €3.99 fare – walk-up price can be €8-10. Airport buses stop at Terminal 1, not all go to ibis directly – check final stop.
Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen Fernbahnhof) → Mainz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Buy a day ticket for €9.80 if you plan more than two trips within Mainz or Wiesbaden after arrival.
Frankfurt Airport → Bs Apartments Mainz (Hechtsheim)
💡 Use Uber or Free Now for airport pickups — taxis at the rank often charge a flat 70 euro fee. For a shorter hop from Mainz station, ride-sharing (like Blablar) is rarely available, so stick to the tram.
Frankfurt Airport taxi rank (Terminal 1 arrivals) → ibis Hotel Mainz City, Holzhofstraße 2
💡 Fixed price is possible – ask at rank for €70-80 flat to ibis. Avoid the 'luxury' drivers who linger near T1 exits; use the official rank.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) → Hotel Adler, Mainz
💡 Fixed-price rides to Mainz are available from the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Ask for the set fare before starting – should be about €80. Uber runs too, but it's often similar cost and less reliable for airport pickups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at Zur Birke?
Check-in at Zur Birke is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Zur Birke have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up; no login, just accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Zur Birke?
5.00 EUR per person per night (includes public transport pass)
Where can I eat cheaply near Zur Birke?
A belegtes Brötchen (filled roll) or soup from a bakery: about €3.50–5.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Zur Birke?
A single RMV bus/tram ticket €3.20 (2024). A day pass within Mainz: €7.40. For Frankfurt Airport: S-Bahn S8 line (single €4.90, day return €10.70).
When is the best time to visit Mainz?
May to June and September: warm enough for terrace dining and river walks, but before the July–August tourist crush and summer heat. The wine taverns are open, and crowds at the Gutenberg Museum are manageable.
Top Attractions in Mainz
💡 Climb the west tower for panoramic views of the city and Rhine—€3 entry, steps are steep but worth it.
💡 Head to the northeast tower base around 2pm for the best light on the medieval carvings. Free guided tours in German at 2pm on Saturdays.
💡 Visit mid-morning on a weekday to avoid crowds. The treasury (small fee) is worth paying for.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid crowds; check for free guided tours in English on Saturdays.
💡 Walk east from the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke towards the old harbour for quieter spots. Sunset is best for photos. Bring a picnic—the kiosks overcharge.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the grassy steps near the Rathaus at sunset—locals do it. No entry fee, but buy wine from a nearby kiosk for €3 a glass.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit near the old customs house for best sunset views; free open-air cinema in July.
💡 Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month; check their website for late-night openings until 9pm on Thursdays.