Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Harbin 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 Harbin and Wellington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Wellington?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Harbin and Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Harbin 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.
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: Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.49Wellington $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington and Harbin 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
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Food Meals for one dayHarbin $14Wellington $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
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: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $52Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $105
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $165
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.83Wellington $12
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: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Harbin 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 Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Wellington?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Harbin 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 Harbin or Wellington?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Harbin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Harbin or Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Harbin is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wellington in the Autumn?
Both Wellington and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Wellington. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wellington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Wellington. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.
Harbin is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Harbin
| Harbin | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.