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

Should you visit Kaunas or Wellington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Wellington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Wellington travel costs.

Kaunas and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wellington. Although Kaunas and Wellington are roughly the same size, Wellington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wellington is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Kaunas is known for its historical sights and big city activities. Wellington is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also home to Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Wellington is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Wellington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is notable for the beach. However, Kaunas is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful 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.

Kaunas is not a beach destination.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a popular place for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kaunas. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Wellington?

Wellington is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Couples?

Wellington is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Wellington is a very popular city 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Wellington Better for Students?

Kaunas and Wellington are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wellington is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wellington than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

Families should spend more time in Wellington than Kaunas. 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.

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

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

With food and nightlife around the vibrant city of Kaunas, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kaunas, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kaunas, 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Wellington?

Kaunas, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Wellington?

Kaunas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas and Wellington, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kaunas is in Europe and Wellington is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kaunas or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kaunas. In the summer, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin January. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Wellington. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Kaunas is much colder than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Wellington. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Kaunas