Which city is cheaper, Aoraki Mount Cook or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Wellington vs. Aoraki Mount Cook for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Wellington or Aoraki Mount Cook?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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.
Where Should I go: Wellington or Aoraki Mount Cook?
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.
Aoraki Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is located on the South Island of New Zealand. It was declared a national park in 1953 to protect and preserve the landscape. The park is home to the country's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. In Maori, Aoraki means, "cloud piercer", and the English name, Mt Cook, refers to the navigator James Cook, who discovered New Zealand in the 18th century. Mt Cook was the training location for Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first person to summit Everest in 1953. Other peaks in the park include Mount Tasman, Mount Sefton, and Mount Hicks. Not only can you find lush greenery all over the park, but also, glaciers cover 40% of the parks area.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $103Aoraki Mount Cook $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $103, while the average daily cost in Aoraki Mount Cook is $110. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Wellington and Aoraki Mount Cook in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $59Aoraki Mount Cook $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $118Aoraki Mount Cook $124
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Aoraki Mount Cook
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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.Wellington $12Aoraki Mount Cook $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Aoraki Mount Cook?
Prices for flights to both Aoraki Mount Cook and Wellington 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 dayWellington $31Aoraki Mount Cook $28
Typical Food prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.29
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: $148
- Martinborough Wine and Food Tour with Lunch from Wellington: $203
- Local Delicacies Half-Day Food Tour: $204
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $227
- Full Day Wellington Food Tour: $264
- Full Day Wellington Food Tour: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $17Aoraki Mount Cook $24
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 day - South Island Tour (All inclusive): $1,370
- 2 Hour Comfort Cruiser Bike Hire: $22
- 3-Day Wellington to Auckland Tour: $666
- 30 Mins Lamborghini Supercar Experience: $133
- 30-Minute Romantic Helicopter Tour from Wellington: $682
- 4-Day Wellington to Auckland via Rotorua Tour: $814
- 7 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive): $1,029
- Bay of Many Coves Helicopter Tour with 3-Course Lunch from Wellington: $622
- Beer tours in a Bubble for 10 people: $996
- Beer tours in a Bubble for 2 people: $319
- Beer tours in a Bubble for 4 people: $515
- Beer tours in a Bubble for 6 people: $719
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $13Aoraki Mount Cook $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington All-Inclusive Half-Day Brewery Tour: $92
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $94
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $95
- Craft Beer Tours NZ Half Day Brewery Experience: $102
- Craft Beer Tours NZ Full Day Brewery Experience: $133
- Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Wellington: $189
- Martinborough Wine Tour: $369
When comparing the travel costs between Wellington and Aoraki Mount Cook, we can see that Aoraki Mount Cook is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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Budget Your Trip
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