** Last Updated June 2006

Passport and Visa Information

Approximately four months before traveling to Mainz, travelers will want to order a passport if they do not already have one.  Passport applications can be obtained from the United States Postal Service.  For more information about passport services, such as costs and application forms, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html.

A visa is not required for visits up to 90 days in Germany.

Transportation

Order tickets from a travel agent at least three to five months of travel to avoid increased airfare rates.  SCL is not a travel agency and is not able to answer travel related questions.  Sister Cities is not responsible for booking airline tickets.  SCL uses and recommends Travel Professionals (502-955-9037) for traveling to Mainz, Germany.  Many people find very affordable rates online

The closest airport is to Mainz is in Frankfurt.  Major airlines offering flights from Louisville include United Airlines (via Chicago or Charlotte), US Airways (via Philadelphia or Charlotte), Delta (via Cincinnati or Atlanta), Northwest (via Detroit), and American Airlines (via Chicago).  Round trip tickets in the summer may cost around $1500 USD and $700 USD in winter.

There is regional rail transport from the Frankfurt airport to Mainz with the S-Bahn every half hour during the day (via Wiesbaden, 26 min, 3.35 EUR).  The regional trains leave from the regional train station (Regionalbahnhof), which is a seven-minute walk from Terminal 1.  Express rail transport is offered approximately every hour with the ICE train (16 min, 11 EUR) or IC train (20-27 min, 7 EUR).  The Express trains leave from the long distance train station (Fernbahnhof) at the AIRail Terminal, which is a 10-minute walk from Terminal 1.  If you have arrived at Terminal 2, take the free Sky Line shuttle train to Terminal 1.  Tickets for regional trains may be purchased from the RMV Mobility Center located at Terminal 1, Level 0, Hall B, or the RMS ticket machines located at the local train station.  Tickets for long distance trains may be purchased online or at the DB Travel Center (Terminal 1, Level 0, Hall B) open daily 6am-10:30pm.

Mainz is about one hour by train from Heidelberg and Koblenz, two hours from Cologne, and four and a half hours from Munich. 

In Mainz, a day ticket for one person may be purchased for 4.90 EUR and a group ticket for up to five people may be purchased for 8 EUR.

Travel Insurance

For Sister Cities of Louisville organized trips, travel insurance is available through Sister Cities International’s (SCI) Marketplace.  SCI uses Abco 100. For more information about insurance options, visit: http://www.sister-cities.org/Marketplace/Insurance.

SCL Exchanges and Gifts

One month before traveling to Mainz, Germany SCL will hold an orientation meeting for those participating in a SCL Exchange.  SCL will provide travelers with an itinerary at this time with information about the cultural exchange in Mainz.  SCL recommends that travelers purchase gifts for their host-family and for the people they will meet in Mainz.  Wonderful gifts can be purchased at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Kentucky Museum of Art Craft, Louisville Stoneware, A Taste of Kentucky, and The Louisville Store.  People in Mainz enjoy anything that has the name of Louisville written on it.  All visitors participating in a Sister Cities exchange are required to become members of Sister Cities of Louisville.

Exchanging Money

SCL highly recommends exchanging approximately $100-$200 USD upon arriving in Frankfurt.  Money can be exchanged in the airport in Frankfurt.  SCL highly recommends using one’s credit card for as many purchases as possible to ensure the best exchange rate.

Climate and Dress

Temperatures in Mainz are mild, ranging from slightly below freezing in the Winter to around 80ÂşF in the Summer.  The heaviest rainfall occurs in June and July.  Pants or jeans may be the most comfortable and appropriate for most occasions. 

Food

Italian, Greek, Chinese, Spanish, and Serbian-Croatian restaurants are all readily available in Mainz.  Turkish restaurants and vendors are the most popular fast food in Germany are very common.  Traditional Rheinland-Palatinate specialties include smoked meats, sausages, potato dishes, sauerbraten, and numerous dishes made with local wine.  Mainz is located in the center of Germany largest wine growing region and contains more than 30 wine restaurants and bars featured locally grow wine.  Even more “Strausswirtschaften” (small wineries that feature home cooking and wine tasting) exist around the city, often right where the vines grow.  White wines such as Riesling are the most popular in the region, but unique red wines are also grown.