Should you visit Wellington or Auckland?
Should I visit Wellington or Auckland? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
Which city is cheaper, Auckland or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $86, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $121. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Wellington and Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $98 in Wellington For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $154 in Auckland For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Wellington than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $10 on transportation in Wellington on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Auckland than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $14 on transportation in Auckland on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport:
$13
-
Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels:
$13
Typical Local Transportation prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
-
Bus from Airport
$10
-
Airport Shuttle
$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland:
$71
-
Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Van:
$97
-
Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car:
$101
-
Private Transfer From Auckland International Airport To Auckland City:
$44
-
Private Transfer From Auckland Domestic Airport To Auckland City:
$44
-
Private Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport:
$41
-
Private Inter City Transfer From Auckland To Hamilton:
$148
-
Private Auckland Airport to City Transfer for up to 5 passengers:
$96
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Auckland to Auckland Airport (AKL):
$27
-
Private Airport Transfer: Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland:
$27
-
Intercity (Tauranga, Whangarei, Hamilton etc) /Auckland Airport Transfers:
$76
-
Great Barrier transfer - fly directly from Waiheke Island:
$185
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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
Wellington food costs typically run travelers around $26 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
Auckland food costs typically run travelers around $23 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Wellington $26
Auckland $23
Typical Food prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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
Typical Food prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner:
$107
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Wellington, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $14 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Auckland, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $24 per day, per person.
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
Typical Entertainment prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
10-Day 'Vibe of the North' Epic Summer Tour for 18-30s!:
$1,177
-
13,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience:
$481
-
14 Day - North to South Island Tour (All inclusive):
$1,992
-
16,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience:
$592
-
17 day - North to South Island Tour (All inclusive):
$2,333
-
2 Day Rotorua Experience: Waitomo Caves, Maori Culture & Ziplining from Auckland:
$733
-
2 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland:
$859
-
20,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience:
$740
-
23-Day Epic New Zealand Tour:
$3,630
-
3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga:
$703
-
3 Day Bay of Islands Winterless North Tour:
$370
-
3 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland:
$933
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Wellington spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Auckland spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Tour and Tastings in an Urban Craft Beer Brewery:
$23
-
Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beach Tour incl Craft Beer Brewery Lunch & Tasting:
$100
-
Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour:
$125
-
Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience on Waiheke Island:
$131
-
Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour with Platter Lunch:
$146
-
Waiheke Island: Afternoon Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch:
$157
-
The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour:
$157
-
Full-Day Waiheke Island Food and Wine Tour:
$165
-
Matakana: Full-Day Food and Wine Tour:
$169
-
The Afternoon Artisan Food and Wine Tour:
$169
-
Auckland Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing, Harbour Cruise and Waiheke Island Wine Tasting:
$171
-
Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch:
$189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Wellington.
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