Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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: Qingdao or Wellington?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to 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 dayQingdao $58Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, 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 Qingdao and Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.Qingdao $12Wellington $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $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 Qingdao or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Wellington $29
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.Qingdao $20Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
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 dayQingdao $14Wellington $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 Qingdao and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Qingdao 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 Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Wellington?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Qingdao or Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Qingdao is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Wellington. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 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 JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Wellington in the Autumn?
Both Wellington and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Qingdao is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 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 AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Wellington. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In the winter, Qingdao is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.
Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Qingdao gets 185 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, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 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 JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Wellington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Wellington. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.
In April, Qingdao is generally cooler than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 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 OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.