Which city is cheaper, Christchurch or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Wellington or Christchurch? 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 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.
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $82, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $79. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Christchurch? 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.
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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.
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Christchurch.
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Wellington and Christchurch, we can see that Wellington 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Both Christchurch and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit.
Wellington is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the summer. The temperature in Wellington is usually 18°C (64°F) in January, and Christchurch stays around 18°C (64°F).
In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Christchurch. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Christchurch. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Christchurch.
In the autumn, Wellington is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April are around 15°C (58°F), and Christchurch is about 12°C (54°F).
Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurch during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Christchurch. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Christchurch.
In July, Wellington is generally much warmer than Christchurch. Temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Christchurch stays around 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurch. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Christchurch. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Christchurch and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Wellington is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the spring. The temperature in Wellington is usually 13°C (55°F) in October, and Christchurch stays around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Christchurch. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Christchurch. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Wellington | Christchurch | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.