A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Wellington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Brisbane 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 Brisbane and Wellington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Brisbane or Wellington?

Brisbane

Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

Wellington

Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.

Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Brisbane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $129, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $99. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Brisbane and Wellington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brisbane $80
    Wellington $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brisbane $160
    Wellington $112
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Wellington

Looking for a hotel in Brisbane or Wellington? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Brisbane


Hotels in Wellington


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brisbane $17
    Wellington $12
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:


  • Airtrain to the City
    $9.65
  • Go Card
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane

Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sunshine Coast Airport Arrival transfer to Hotels: $18
  • St Lucia Airport Transfer to St James's Club Morgan Bay: $17
  • Sirromet Winery 3 Course Lunch, Tour, Tastings and Transfers: $130
  • Return Private Theme Park Transfer From Brisbane: $130
  • Private Transfers to Airports and Sporting Events: $293
  • Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $122
  • Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $89
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane to Brisbane Airport BNE in Business Car: $100
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Business Car: $100
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City to Cruise Port: $89
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City to Cruise Port: $122
  • Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $225

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $56
  • Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $56
  • Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Wellington to Wellington Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
  • Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
  • Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $11

Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Wellington?

Prices for flights to both Wellington and Brisbane change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Brisbane $31
    Wellington $29
Typical Food prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:


  • Hamburger Lunch
    $5.14
  • Cup of Coffee
    $1.93
  • Chinese Food Lunch
    $8.04
  • Ice cream
    $3.54
  • Japanese Meal
    $13
  • Smoothie
    $4.18
  • Japanese Soup
    $7.39
  • Coffee & Muffin
    $4.50
  • Morning Mint Tea
    $2.25
  • Veggie Burger & Chips
    $9.00
  • Bread
    $1.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • City Lights Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $70
  • City Lights Dinner Cruise in Brisbane with Dinner: $71
  • Guided Food Tour with Coffee, Seafood and Wine: $553
  • Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland: $560
  • Sunshine Coast Food Tour: $642
  • Regional Producers Food Tour: $651
  • Queensland Food Tour: Farm-to-Table Indulgence: $846

Typical Food prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $8.85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $152
  • A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $187
  • Full Day Wellington Food Tour: $242
  • Ales and Axes Beer Corporate tour including gourmet BBQ dinner: $2,738

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brisbane $23
    Wellington $16
Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Concert Tickets
    $13

Tours and Activities in Brisbane

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.

  • 1 Hour Private Flight Tour with Paired Inflight Beer Tasting: $260
  • 1hr Animal Tour: $35
  • 2hr Animal Tour: $59
  • 3 Day Tour Fraser Island CAMPING : $474
  • 3-Hours Walking Tour in Brisbane: $55
  • 45-Minute Behind-the-Tanks Tour on North Stradbroke Island: $32
  • 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour: $34
  • Adventure Moreton Island Day Pass: $77
  • Adventure Moreton Island Scuba Dive Tour: $175
  • Adventure Moreton Island Wrecks Adventure Package: $116
  • Adventure Theme Scavenger Hunt Experience in Brisbane: $29
  • Afternoon Moreton Bay Sailing Tour: $68

Tours and Activities in Wellington

For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Exclusive Wellington Sightseeing Private Tour : $608
  • 3-Day Wellington to Auckland Tour: $593
  • 30 Mins Lamborghini Supercar Passenger Experience: $79
  • 4-Day Wellington to Auckland via Rotorua Tour: $709
  • 7-Day Coasts and Culture Tour From Wellington: $1,217
  • 7-Hour Private Scenic Kapiti Coast Tour from Wellington: $236
  • A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $284
  • A Taste of Wellington Foodie Delights Tour: $284
  • Bay of Many Coves Helicopter Tour with 3-Course Lunch from Wellington: $587
  • City Heights Wellington Tour: $304
  • From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $112
  • From Source to Sea Mountain Bike Remutaka Cycle Tour: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brisbane $50
    Wellington $12
Typical Alcohol prices in Brisbane

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:


  • Evening at the Bar
    $9.65
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.00
  • Guiness Beer
    $5.47
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $8.35

Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:

  • XXXX Brewery Tour: $21
  • Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $48
  • City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $49
  • River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $85
  • Brewery Tour Cruise - River To Bay: $86
  • Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $94
  • Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $97
  • Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Brisbane: $98
  • Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $111
  • Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $117
  • Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $122
  • Brisbane Brewery Small-Group Tour with Lunch: $123

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $94
  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
  • Martinborough Bespoke Shared Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $134
  • Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $149
  • Full Day Martinborough Wine Tour: $170
  • Martinborough High Tea and Wine Tour in Tesla SUVs: $181
  • Private Martinborough Wine Tour in an Electric Vehicle - Tesla Model Y: $259
  • Martinborough 6 hour wine tour: $719
  • Martinborough Private Bespoke Food & Wine tour with Gourmet lunch: $730
  • Martinborough private 4 wine tastings tour with Gourmet lunch: $974

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Wellington?

Brisbane is bigger, and its population is about 2.5 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the population of Brisbane vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Brisbane or Wellington?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Wellington.

In January, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Wellington. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Brisbane 25°C (77°F) 
    Wellington 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Wellington.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Wellington. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Brisbane 22°C (71°F) 
    Wellington 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In July, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Wellington. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Brisbane 15°C (59°F) 
    Wellington 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Wellington. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Brisbane 21°C (69°F) 
    Wellington 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Wellington and Brisbane

Brisbane Wellington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 127 mm (5 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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