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

Should you visit Singapore or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Singapore or Wellington? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Singapore

Singapore is a colorful, glitzy, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Wellington

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

Singapore and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Singapore or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Singapore than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Singapore is more popular for its museums, food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Singapore is popular for its blend of cultures, its lush gardens, and its clean streets. It is also home to Merlion Park Waterfront. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Singapore different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Singapore 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.

Singapore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The mix of cultures and unique history have led to museums and landmarks that mix historic and modern. The Merlion statue in Merlion Park has become a symbol of the city. For an educational experience, head to the Asian Civilizations Museum, and to see colonial architecture check out Fort Canning Park.

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 Singapore or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Singapore is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. From local dives to five star restaurants, the city's food scene is all about diversity. Make sure you try Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, and Hokkien prawn mee.

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.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Singapore 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 Singapore. It's all about the glitzy nightclubs and exclusive cocktail bars. Head to Clarke Quay, Marina Bay Sands, or one of the many rooftop bars to experience the best of Singapore's nightlife. Do keep in mind that the city has a high alcohol tax, and strict rules around drinking in public places during certain hours.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Music?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Singapore. As a globalized city, you'll find almost any type of music here. Popular music venues include Timbre, Zouk, and the Crazy Elephant.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Singapore is a great choice. From sleek high rises with rooftop pools to family-friendly resorts with kid oriented activities, this city has it all. Popular resorts include Oasia Resort Sentosa, Dusit Thani Laguna, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Singapore is not a good area for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Most people don't go snorkeling in Singapore. The best place to snorkel in the area is Pulau Hantu.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is notable for the beach. Also, Singapore is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

Wellington is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Singapore to enjoy the beach. You'll find most of the area's best beaches on Sentosa Island. There's a 2 kilometer long artificial beach that is split into Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, and Tanjong Beach.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Wellington is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Singapore or Wellington?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Singapore draws large crowds to its stores. You'll find tons of malls along Orchard Road, but for a more eclectic shopping experience head to the Chinatown Street Market.

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 Singapore or Wellington Better for Families?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Singapore is a very family-friendly destination. With places like Sentosa and Universal Studios, there really is no shortage of activities for kids. There's also a zoo, an aquarium, and bird park, and many kid-friendly museums.

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 Singapore or Wellington Better for Couples?

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

Singapore makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The city has stunning hotels, amazing restaurants, and plenty of fun activities that are perfect for couples.

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 Singapore or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Singapore is extremely popular for backpackers. Many backpackers use this city as a starting or ending point for their Southeast Asian backpacking trip. It's modern and glamourous, but still has plenty of backpacker-friendly and budget-friendly options.

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.

Is Singapore or Wellington Better for Students?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Singapore. As such a diverse city, you'll find plenty of international students as well as expats to hang out with.

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

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

Singapore is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Singapore has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is the MRT subway system as well as buses that travel all over the city.

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

Is Singapore or Wellington a more walkable city?

Singapore is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Singapore. It's possible to walk in most areas in the city center. There are also park connectors that are nice for taking a stroll or going for a run.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Singapore?

How long in Singapore or Wellington?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Singapore than Wellington 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 Singapore.

One day in Singapore or Wellington?

When visiting Singapore, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wellington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Singapore or Wellington?

When visiting Singapore, people usually allow for lots of time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Singapore or Wellington?

Singapore, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Wellington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Singapore or Wellington?

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

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Which is Bigger, Singapore or Wellington?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Singapore 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.