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

Should you visit Helsinki or Wellington?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Wellington can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Helsinki and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wellington than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Wellington, Wellington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wellington is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Helsinki is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Wellington is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Helsinki 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.

Helsinki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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 Helsinki or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a very popular place for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. 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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Wellington?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Helsinki and Wellington.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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 Helsinki or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Wellington are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Wellington is known to be 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 Helsinki or Wellington Better for Couples?

Helsinki is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Wellington is a good city 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 Helsinki or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Wellington Better for Students?

Helsinki is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Helsinki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Helsinki and Wellington.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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

Is Helsinki or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Wellington. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the environmentally conscious city of Helsinki, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Helsinki, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wellington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Wellington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Wellington?

Helsinki, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington 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 Helsinki or Wellington?

Helsinki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, 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 Helsinki and Wellington, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Wellington?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Helsinki or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is around the same temperature as Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wellingtonin January. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Wellington. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Wellington. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Helsinki