A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Auckland vs. Picton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Auckland or Picton?

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 Picton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and thrill-seeking city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Auckland and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Auckland. Although Auckland and Picton are both popular with visitors, Auckland has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Auckland is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Picton is known for its hiking and small town charm. Auckland is popular for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also home to the Sky Tower. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Auckland different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton 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 Picton?

Auckland is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Auckland. 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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Both Auckland and Picton offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Auckland has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Auckland offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Beaches?

Auckland and Picton are high quality choices for a beach vacation.

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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Picton. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Auckland has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Picton?

Auckland is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Auckland. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Picton.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. 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.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Couples?

Both Auckland and Picton are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland and Picton are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Auckland. 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.

Picton is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Auckland or Picton Better for Students?

Auckland is a well-known place for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

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

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Auckland and Picton.

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 Picton, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Auckland or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Picton is a very walkable town. It's a quaint and compact town that's 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 Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Auckland or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Auckland than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than Picton 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 Picton?

Auckland is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Picton offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Picton?

Auckland is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Picton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auckland. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Picton is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cosmopolitan big city of Auckland. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Picton?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Picton, 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 Auckland or Picton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Auckland or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Picton. Many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Auckland is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Auckland in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Auckland usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Picton because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In April, Auckland is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 16°C (61°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Auckland usually receives more rain than Picton. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Auckland or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Auckland during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

Auckland is a little warmer than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Picton. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Picton. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Auckland is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Auckland in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Auckland usually receives less rain than Picton. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Auckland