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

Should you visit Bali or Wellington?

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 Bali and Wellington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bali. Although Bali and Wellington are roughly the same size, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is more popular for its museums. Bali is more touristy than Wellington and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Bali different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Bali is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Bali is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Wellington?

Both Bali and Wellington are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Wellington. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Wellington.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wellington. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Couples?

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

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Wellington is a good island 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 Bali or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Wellington is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Bali or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Wellington is a good city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Wellington can get you to some places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island 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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Bali?

How long in Bali or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Wellington. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Wellington?

With shopping and nightlife around the frequented island of Bali, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wellington. 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.

A weekend in Bali or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Wellington 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.

Five days in Bali or Wellington?

Bali, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the funky destination of Wellington. 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.

A week in Bali or Wellington?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The compact city of Wellington 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali 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 Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Wellington?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Wellington?

Wellington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin January. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Wellington. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. Bali usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

Bali is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Bali