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

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

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, museums, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Wellington is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Wellington is not a skiing destination.

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

Dubai is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Dubai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

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 Dubai or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dubai and Wellington both to be great destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Wellington makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Dubai or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Dubai 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.

Dubai is a world class party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

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 Dubai or Wellington Better for Music?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Resorts?

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

For the ultimate resort vacation, Dubai is a great choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubai has a few good snorkeling spots. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great city for the beach. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its beaches.

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.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is very good for hiking. However, Dubai is not a hiking destination.

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.

Dubai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Wellington?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Dubai or Wellington Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Wellington is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Dubai or Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Wellington are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Wellington is a nice destination for couples. 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 Dubai or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Wellington Better for Students?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wellington is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Wellington offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

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

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Wellington?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Dubai 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 Dubai or Wellington?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this funky 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 Dubai or Wellington?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

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 Dubai or Wellington?

Dubai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. 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 Dubai or Wellington?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the funky 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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 Dubai and Wellington, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Wellington?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Dubai or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin January. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Wellington. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Dubai is much warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Dubai is January to March.

Should I visit Dubai or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Dubai