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

Should you visit Wellington or Salzburg?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Salzburg? 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. See Wellington travel costs.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a musical, cultural, and recognizable city. Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Salzburg travel costs.

Wellington and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Salzburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wellington is known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Salzburg is more touristy than Wellington and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Wellington different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salzburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Salzburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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

Both Wellington and Salzburg offer a number of very good 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 Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a well-known place for the beach. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Salzburg?

Salzburg 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, Salzburg draws large crowds to its stores. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg More Beautiful?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Salzburg.

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.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington and Salzburg are both very good 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.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Wellington or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Wellington and Salzburg.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Wellington or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Wellington and Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Salzburg?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Wellington or Salzburg?

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With live music and food around the beautiful city of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Salzburg?

Wellington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wellington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and shopping around the destination of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Salzburg?

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Salzburg, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Salzburg?

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Salzburg 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Salzburg?

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

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

Should I visit Wellington or Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Salzburg. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wellington is cooler than Salzburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Salzburg averages at about 20°C (68°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburgin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Salzburgin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg 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. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Wellington is generally a little warmer than Salzburgin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Salzburgin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. Wellington is much warmer than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F)in January.

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Salzburgin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Salzburgin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Salzburg. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

In the spring, Wellington is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Salzburgin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Wellington