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

Should you visit Wellington or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Seattle? 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Wellington and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its beaches and shopping. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Wellington different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle 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.

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

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 Wellington or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its theatre productions. However, Wellington is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Wellington is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Wellington and Seattle 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 Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Seattle.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Seattle is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Seattle while you're in town. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Wellington is notable for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

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 Seattle?

Wellington is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Families?

Wellington is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Seattle make for a good place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Seattle is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Wellington or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

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

Wellington is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Wellington offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Wellington or Seattle a more walkable city?

Wellington and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Seattle. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Seattle?

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Seattle?

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle, a popular city, 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Seattle 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Seattle in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Wellington is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Seattlein July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Seattlein July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, 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 Seattlein October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattlein October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Wellington is much warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C)in January.

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Seattlein January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets less rain in July than Seattlein January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Seattle. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Seattlein April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Wellington