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

Should you visit Wellington or Amsterdam?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Amsterdam? 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Amsterdam?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Wellington. Amsterdam is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is more popular for its food, beaches, and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Wellington and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Wellington different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

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 Wellington or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Wellington. 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Beaches?

Wellington is well known for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. 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.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Amsterdam?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Wellington and Amsterdam.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Wellington is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

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 Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam 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, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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 Wellington or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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 Wellington or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Amsterdam?

Both Wellington and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Wellington. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Wellington or Amsterdam?

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.

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Amsterdam?

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.

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Amsterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funky 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.

Amsterdam, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Amsterdam?

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.

Amsterdam 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Amsterdam, 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 Wellington or Amsterdam?

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 Amsterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Wellington is around the same temperature as Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F)in July.

In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Amsterdamin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Amsterdamin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Amsterdam. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Wellington is a little warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.

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

In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Amsterdamin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Amsterdam. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In July, Wellington is generally much warmer than Amsterdamin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Amsterdamin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Amsterdamin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Amsterdam in the Spring?

Both Amsterdam and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

Wellington is much warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F)in April.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Amsterdamin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Wellington