Which place is cheaper, Nassau or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or Nassau?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Nassau? 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 Nassau?
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.
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $104Nassau $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in Nassau is $189. 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 Nassau in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Nassau $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Nassau $218
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Nassau
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Nassau? 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 Nassau Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Nassau $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $11
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $62
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $74
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $77
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Transfer Service in Nassau Bahamas: $68
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to NAS Airport - Departure: $34
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from NAS Airport - Arrival: $34
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer- Lincoln Town Car: $225
- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
- Round Trip Private Airport To Hotel Transfer in Nassau: $150
- Private Transfer in Nassau: $45
- Private Transfer from Nassau International Airport to Nassau City : $150
- Private Transfer from Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Hotel or Cruise Port : $125
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport Nassau, Bahamas: $150
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Downtown Nassau: $143
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Cable Beach: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Nassau?
Prices for flights to both Nassau 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 $30Nassau $53
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: $153
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $188
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Nassau $37
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $28
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $28
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299
- 3 Hour Island Tour: Swimming with Pigs, Turtles, and Snorkeling: $250
- 3-Hour Buggy Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts): $250
- 30 Minutes Jet Car Adventure in Bahamas: $260
- ATV Half Day City Tour in Guided Tour With Free Samples: $250
- ATV Island Tour with Beach Break, Lunch, and Pick-up/Drop-off: $199
- ATV tours by RSR: $230
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- Atlantis Bridge Speed Boat Adventure: $100
- Atlantis Speed Boat Tours: $81
- Bahama Bonanza Cultural Tour: $80
- Bahamas Cabbage Beach Parasailing Adventure: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Nassau $19
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: $153
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $172
- Full Day Martinborough Wine Tour: $178
- 1/2 Day Martinborough Private Chefs wine tastings tour with lunch: $245
- Martinborough Private 5 hour Food & Wine tour with Gourmet lunch: $264
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Nassau, we can see that Nassau 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 Nassau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Nassau?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Nassau, 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 Nassau?
Wellington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Wellington or Nassau in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Nassau. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year.
In January, Wellington is generally much colder than Nassauin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Nassau fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Nassauin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 273 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nassau. Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Nassauin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Nassau 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Nassau in the Autumn?
Both Nassau and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wellington is much colder than Nassau in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Nassau fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Nassau during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nassau. In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Nassauin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Nassau 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Nassau in the Winter?
Both Nassau and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round.
In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Nassau. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Nassau averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Nassauin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 220 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Nassauin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Nassau 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Nassau in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Nassau. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Nassauin April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Nassau fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Nassau during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 276 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Nassauin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Nassau 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Nassau and Wellington
| Wellington | Nassau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.