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

Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington?

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Wellington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nakhon Ratchasima $19
    Wellington $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nakhon Ratchasima $38
    Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Wellington

Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima


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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
    Wellington $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.36
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.36

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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington?

Prices for flights to both Wellington and Nakhon Ratchasima 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
    Nakhon Ratchasima $15
    Wellington $29

Typical Food Prices in Wellington

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


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
    Wellington $16

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $10
    Wellington $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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.

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


Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 381900 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F) 
    Wellington 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Nakhon Ratchasima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F) 
    Wellington 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In January, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F) 
    Wellington 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Wellington. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.

It's very hot in Nakhon Ratchasima this time of the year. Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 31°C (89°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F) 
    Wellington 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Wellington and Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Wellington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)