A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Basse-Terre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wellington or Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Basse-Terre? 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 Basse-Terre?

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.

Basse-Terre

In Guadeloupe there is Basse Terre the city and Basse-Terre the island - the city is the capital of Guadeloupe, and the island is Guadeloupe's western half of the main island. As a whole, the place is very green, featuring lush vegetation and a mountainous landscape with a sulfuric volcano.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Wellington?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is $162. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Wellington and Basse-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wellington $61
    Basse-Terre $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wellington $122
    Basse-Terre $192
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Basse-Terre

Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Basse-Terre? 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.

Hotels in Wellington


Hotels in Basse-Terre


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 and Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wellington $12
    Basse-Terre $8.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
  • Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
  • Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
  • Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
  • Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
  • Private Airport Transfer: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Basse-Terre?

Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Wellington $30
    Basse-Terre $49
Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $9.02

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: $151
  • A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wellington $16
    Basse-Terre $50

Tours and Activities in Wellington

For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
  • Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
  • Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
  • Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
  • Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $33
  • Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33

Tours and Activities in Basse-Terre

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basse-Terre are as follows:

  • Full day tour: the best of the island w/photos drone sunset: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wellington $12
    Basse-Terre $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
  • 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
  • Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Basse-Terre, we can see that Basse-Terre 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 Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Basse-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basse-Terre 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 Basse-Terre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Wellington or Basse-Terre?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Basse-Terre, 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 Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Basse-Terre. The summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

In January, Wellington is generally much colder than Basse-Terrein July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terrein July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Basse-Terrein July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Wellington 18°C (64°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?

Both Basse-Terre and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Wellington is much colder than Basse-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Basse-Terre during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Basse-Terrein October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Wellington 15°C (58°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Basse-Terre in the Winter?

Both Basse-Terre and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Basse-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F)in January.

In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terrein January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Basse-Terrein January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Wellington 10°C (49°F) 
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Basse-Terre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Basse-Terre. Many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Basse-Terrein April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Basse-Terre during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Wellington usually receives less rain than Basse-Terrein April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Wellington 13°C (55°F) 
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Wellington

Wellington Basse-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)