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

Should you visit Wellington or London?

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

Should I visit Wellington or London? 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.

London

London is a historic, diverse, and iconic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Wellington and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or London?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. London is more touristy than Wellington and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

Big Ben

How is Wellington different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in London are world-renowned. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 Wellington or London Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for its theatre productions. However, Wellington is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in London draw crowds from around the world. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Wellington is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Wellington and London offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific 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.

Dining out in London is an experience not to be missed. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Wellington or London Better for Nightlife?

London 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.

London is a world class party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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 London Better for Music?

London 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 London. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or London Better for Beaches?

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

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

London is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or London Better for Hiking?

Wellington is very good for hiking. However, London is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. 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.

London is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or London?

London is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, London draws large crowds to its stores. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Wellington or London Better for Christmas?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Wellington does not offer Christmas activities.

London offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Wellington does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Wellington or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a must-visit destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Wellington does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make London very popular during this season. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Wellington does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Wellington or London Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, London is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Wellington or London Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

London makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, London is extremely popular for backpackers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Wellington or London Better for Students?

London is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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

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

London is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Wellington or London a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in London. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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

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

Should I spend more time in London or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or London?

Both Wellington and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Wellington. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

Families should spend more time in London than Wellington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Wellington or London?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 London?

Wellington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wellington or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

London, 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 London?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

London is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and London, 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 London?

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

Should I visit Wellington or London in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and London. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wellington is around the same temperature as London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.

In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than London during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than Londonin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or London in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as London. Many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Wellington is generally a little warmer than Londonin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Londonin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in April than Londonin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or London in the Winter?

Both London and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

London can be very cold during winter. Wellington is much warmer than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than London during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Londonin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or London in the Spring?

Both London and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Wellington is a little warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F)in April.

In the spring, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Londonin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Londonin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for London and Wellington