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

Should you visit Wellington or Bordeaux?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Bordeaux? 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.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Bordeaux?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is better known for its food, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Bordeaux is more touristy than Wellington and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Also, Bordeaux is famous for Cathédrale Saint-André. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Wellington different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Wellington and Bordeaux.

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Wellington or Bordeaux? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bordeaux 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, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Wellington know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great destination for the beache. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bordeaux. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Bordeaux?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Wellington and Bordeaux.

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 Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Wellington is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

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

Bordeaux makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

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 Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Wellington and Bordeaux.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The public transit in Bordeaux can get you to most places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Wellington or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Wellington and Bordeaux are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Bordeaux?

In either Wellington or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Wellington because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

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

One day in Wellington or Bordeaux?

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the romantic city of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Bordeaux?

Wellington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wellington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Bordeaux?

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bordeaux, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. 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 Bordeaux?

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Bordeaux is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. 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 Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Bordeaux?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

Wellington is cooler than Bordeaux in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in July.

In Bordeaux, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Bordeauxin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Bordeauxin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Bordeaux. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Wellington is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 14°C (58°F)in October.

Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bordeaux during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bordeauxin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Bordeaux. Many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Wellington is generally much warmer than Bordeauxin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Bordeauxin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bordeaux. Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Bordeauxin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Bordeaux in the Spring?

Both Bordeaux and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Wellington is a little warmer than Bordeaux in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.

Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bordeaux during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Bordeauxin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Wellington