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

Should you visit Wellington or Glasgow?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Glasgow? 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 laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a cultural, historic, and high energy city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Glasgow?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Glasgow is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Wellington is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Wellington is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Glasgow is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also home to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Wellington different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Glasgow is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Glasgow offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. 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.

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

Wellington is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Glasgow is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Glasgow. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. 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.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Glasgow?

Wellington is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Wellington. 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Families?

Wellington is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wellington. 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Glasgow make for a good place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Wellington. 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.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Wellington or Glasgow Better for Students?

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

Glasgow is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Wellington and Glasgow.

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 Glasgow can get you to most places easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is Wellington or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Wellington and Glasgow are very good 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.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Glasgow. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wellington than Glasgow. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Wellington than Glasgow. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Glasgow 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 Glasgow?

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With live music and food around the friendly city of Glasgow, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Glasgow?

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Glasgow, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Glasgow?

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glasgow, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Glasgow is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Glasgow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Glasgow. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wellington is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Glasgow averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Glasgowin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Glasgow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Glasgow. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In April, Wellington is generally much warmer than Glasgowin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Glasgowin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Glasgowin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Glasgow in the Winter?

Both Glasgow and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. Wellington is much warmer than Glasgow in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives less rain than Glasgowin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Glasgow in the Spring?

Both Glasgow and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

In the spring, Wellington is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Glasgow averages at about 7°C (45°F)in April.

In the spring, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Glasgowin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Glasgowin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Wellington