Which place is cheaper, Montevideo or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or Montevideo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Montevideo? 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 Montevideo?
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.
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $104Montevideo $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in Montevideo is $64. 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 Montevideo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Montevideo $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Montevideo $80
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Montevideo
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Montevideo? 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.
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 Montevideo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Montevideo $7.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $19
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Carrasco Airport Transfer: $20
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Montevideo?
Prices for flights to both Montevideo 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
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Food Meals for one dayWellington $30Montevideo $14
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Montevideo $21
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $106
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $167
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
- Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
- Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $120
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $120
- Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
- City tour Montevideo: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Montevideo -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Montevideo, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Montevideo is in South America, 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington than you might in Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Montevideo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Montevideo?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Montevideo, 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 Montevideo?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Wellington or Montevideo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Montevideo. Many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Wellington is cooler than Montevideo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Montevideo averages at about 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Montevideo during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Montevideo. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryWellington 18°C (64°F)Montevideo 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montevideo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Montevideo. Most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In April, Wellington is generally cooler than Montevideo. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montevideo. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 171 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montevideo. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Montevideo. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilWellington 15°C (58°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montevideo in the Winter?
Both Montevideo and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Wellington is cooler than Montevideo in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Montevideo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Montevideo during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Montevideo. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyWellington 10°C (49°F)Montevideo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montevideo in the Spring?
Both Montevideo and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In the spring, Wellington is cooler than Montevideo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Montevideo averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Montevideo. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 248 hours of full sun.
Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Montevideo. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberWellington 13°C (55°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Montevideo and Wellington
| Wellington | Montevideo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.