A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Wellington or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Reykjavik? 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 funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Wellington and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wellington than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Wellington is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also well known for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Wellington different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Wellington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Wellington. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Wellington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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 Reykjavik?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Reykjavik.

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.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

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

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Wellington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Both Wellington and Reykjavik are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Wellington or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Wellington and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Reykjavik?

In either Wellington or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Wellington because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Wellington than Reykjavik. 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.

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wellington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the clean city of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wellington or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funky city of Wellington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Reykjavik?

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Reykjavik?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Wellington is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than Reykjavikin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Wellington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Wellington is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F)in October.

In the autumn, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Reykjavikin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the winter, Wellington is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Reykjavikin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Reykjavik. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In October, Wellington is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavikin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Wellington