A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Bath for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Auckland or Bath?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Bath can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Auckland travel costs.

Bath

Bath is a beautiful, architectural, and charming spa town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Bath is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Bath travel costs.

Auckland and Bath: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Bath?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Auckland than Bath. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Auckland is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Bath attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Auckland is famous for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also well known for the Sky Tower. Bath is famous for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums.

How is Auckland different from Bath?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Bath?

Bath is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Bath are world-renowned. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Auckland can be an interesting and educational experience. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Bath? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Auckland. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Beaches?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Bath is not a beach destination.

Auckland is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Bath is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for its Old Town?

Bath is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Hiking?

Auckland is very good for its hiking trails. However, Bath is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Auckland. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Bath is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Bath?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Auckland and Bath.

Auckland is well-known for its shopping. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bath. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Is Auckland or Bath More Beautiful?

Bath is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Auckland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bath is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Seeped in history, this city is one of the most beautiful in the region.

Auckland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Families?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Auckland is a very family-friendly destination. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bath. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Couples?

Bath is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Bath has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Couples visit Auckland frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Auckland is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Students?

Both Auckland and Bath are very good destinations for students.

Auckland is very popular with students. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Bath is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Is Auckland or Bath Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Auckland and Bath.

Auckland has some public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

You'll find some public transit in Bath, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Is Auckland or Bath a more walkable city?

Bath is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bath. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Bath Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bath or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Bath?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Auckland and Bath. In our opinion, Auckland has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Auckland than Bath. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bath.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than Bath 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 Auckland.

One day in Auckland or Bath?

Auckland is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful spa town of Bath offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Bath?

Auckland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bath is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this spa town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bath, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Bath?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the thrill-seeking big city of Auckland. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bath is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Bath?

The thrill-seeking city of Auckland offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bath is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This spa town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Bath, we can see that Bath is more expensive. And not only is Auckland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Bath is in Europe, 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 Auckland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auckland 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 Bath would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bath than you might in Auckland.

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

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Bath?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Bath, 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.