A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Wellington vs. Picton for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Hiking

Should you visit Wellington or Picton?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Picton? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wellington. Although Wellington and Picton are both popular with visitors, Wellington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wellington is more popular for its nightlife and shopping, while Picton is known for its hiking and small town charm. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also home to Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Wellington different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Wellington and Picton.

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Picton. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Both Wellington and Picton offer a number of superb 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 Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Wellington offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Wellington and Picton are superb choices.

Wellington is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Picton?

Wellington is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Picton.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. 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.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Couples?

Picton is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington and Picton are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Many 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.

Picton is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Wellington or Picton Better for Students?

Wellington is a good destination for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

Wellington is a good city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Wellington or Picton a more walkable city?

Wellington and Picton are superb 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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Wellington or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Wellington than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

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

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

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.

With museums and food around the quaint town of Picton, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wellington or Picton?

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.

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

Five days in Wellington or Picton?

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.

Picton, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Picton?

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.

Picton 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 Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Picton, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Picton.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Picton?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Picton, 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 Picton?

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.

Should I visit Wellington or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Picton. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Picton. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In April, Wellington is generally around the same temperature as Picton. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Picton. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wellington is around the same temperature as Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Picton. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Picton. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Wellington is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Picton. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Wellington