A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Wellington for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Atami or Wellington?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Wellington 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.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Atami and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is more touristy than Atami and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Wellington?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Atami and Wellington.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a very popular place for the beache. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Wellington?

Wellington is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Atami and Wellington are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Atami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Wellington is a good town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Atami is not popular with students.

Is Atami or Wellington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wellington is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Atami or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Atami?

How long in Atami or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wellington than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Atami 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 Wellington.

One day in Atami or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the nostalgic town of Atami, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, one day is sufficent for most.

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city 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 Atami or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Atami, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Atami or Wellington?

Atami, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Wellington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Wellington?

Atami is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the compact destination of Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Atami is in Asia and Wellington is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington than you might in Atami.

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Wellington, 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 Atami or Wellington?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Atami has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Atami or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Atami is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. Atami usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Atami gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Atami. In July, Atami usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Atami during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atami in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Atami is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Atami often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Atami gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Wellington. Most visitors come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Atami is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Atami usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Atami gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Atami usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atami or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atami as well as Wellington. The spring months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Atami is around the same temperature as Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the spring, Atami often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Atami gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the spring. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Atami