A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Wellington for Beaches, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands 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.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Wellington

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

Similan Islands and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Wellington is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Wellington is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Wellington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Similan Islands. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Both Similan Islands and Wellington are destinations which offer notable hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Wellington is a good island chain 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 Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options 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.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Similan Islands is not popular with students.

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

Similan Islands is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Wellington can get you to some places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands 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.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Wellington. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

Families should spend more time in Wellington than Similan Islands. 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 Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The funky destination of Wellington offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Wellington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Similan Islands, a popular island chain, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island chain. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Wellington?

Similan Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island chain makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island chain has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Wellington, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Similan Islands 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 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°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 Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 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, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Wellington. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Similan Islands