Should you visit Wellington or Taupo?
Should I visit Wellington or Taupo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
Which city is cheaper, Taupo or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $95, while the average daily cost in Taupo is $107. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Wellington and Taupo in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $108 in Wellington For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $60. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Taupo the cost is $120 on average.
Food
Wellington food costs typically run travelers around $28 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
Taupo food costs typically run travelers around $22 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Wellington $28
Taupo $22
Typical Food prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Optional Buffet Lunch or Dinner:
$47
-
Taste Auckland Group Food Tour:
$98
-
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$102
-
Sunset / Night Kayak to Rangitoto Island with BBQ Dinner:
$138
-
Queenstown Wine and Food Tour:
$141
-
Walking Food Tour Of Wellington:
$148
-
Martinborough Wine and Food Tour with Lunch from Wellington:
$204
-
Local Delicacies Half-Day Food Tour:
$215
-
A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day):
$227
-
Full Day Wellington Food Tour:
$279
-
Full Day Wellington Food Tour:
$295
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taupo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Taupo.
-
Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Optional Buffet Lunch or Dinner:
$47
-
Taste Auckland Group Food Tour:
$98
-
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$102
-
Sunset / Night Kayak to Rangitoto Island with BBQ Dinner:
$138
-
Queenstown Wine and Food Tour:
$141
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Wellington than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $11 on transportation in Wellington on average per day.
The average price of local transportation around Taupo is $24 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium Entry Ticket and Auckland Airport (AKL) Express Transfer:
$40
-
Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels:
$13
-
Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport:
$13
-
Private Luxury Transfers to Coronet Peak:
$375
-
Private Luxury Transfers to The Remarkables:
$445
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to Coronet Peak:
$389
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to The Remarkables:
$431
-
Private Transfers to Cardrona Ski Field or Treble Cone Ski Field:
$629
-
Shared Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Transfers for Queenstown CBD:
$11
-
Shared and Private Auckland Airport (AKL) Transfers to/from Auckland CBD:
$18
-
Shared and Private Christchurch Airport (CHC) Transfers for Christchurch CBD:
$13
-
Shared and Private Dunedin Airport (DUD) Transfers for Dunedin CBD:
$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
-
Taupo Tandem Skydive with Rotorua Transfer:
$258
-
SkyBus Auckland Airport (AKL) Express Transfer Ticket:
$11
-
Shared and Private Wellington Airport (WLG) Transfers for Wellington CBD:
$11
-
Shared and Private Rotorua Airport (ROT) Transfers for Rotorua CBD:
$16
-
Shared and Private Nelson Airport (NSN) Transfers for Nelson CBD:
$7.09
-
Shared and Private Dunedin Airport (DUD) Transfers for Dunedin CBD:
$14
-
Shared and Private Christchurch Airport (CHC) Transfers for Christchurch CBD:
$13
-
Shared and Private Auckland Airport (AKL) Transfers to/from Auckland CBD:
$18
-
Shared Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Transfers for Queenstown CBD:
$11
-
Private Transfers to Cardrona Ski Field or Treble Cone Ski Field:
$629
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to The Remarkables:
$431
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to Coronet Peak:
$389
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Taupo?
Prices for flights to both Taupo 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Wellington, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $16 per day, per person.
Taupo's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $33 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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One-Way or Return Cable Car Ticket:
$3.60
-
Time Tripper Queenstown Virtual Journey Through Time Experience:
$7.09
-
Te Papa Museum Ticket in Wellington:
$11
-
The Great War Exhibition Entry Ticket:
$11
-
Museum of Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket:
$11
-
Devonport Ferry Tickets in Auckland:
$11
-
Putt and Glow Indoor Mini Golf Experience in Queenstown:
$12
-
Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
-
Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Hamilton Gardens Guided Walking Tour:
$14
-
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Museum of Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour:
$14
Typical Entertainment prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Bungy Jumping
$181
-
Jet Boating
$68
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4WD-U Drive Experience:
$232
-
Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour from Auckland:
$140
-
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland:
$211
-
Kaituna Whitewater Rafting Experience :
$84
-
Kaituna Whitewater Sledging Experience:
$91
-
Milford Sound Vista Day Tour from Queenstown or Te Anau:
$127
-
Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater Hiking Experience:
$131
-
Putt and Glow Indoor Mini Golf Experience in Queenstown:
$12
-
Queenstown Scenic Cruise - Spirit of Queenstown:
$28
-
Queenstown Tiki Tour:
$70
-
Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland:
$188
-
Ultimate Queenstown Highlights Tour:
$77
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Wellington spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Taupo may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Sip Marlborough Wine Tour:
$69
-
Wine Tours from Queenstown:
$71
-
Gibbston Valley Ride and Wine Tours:
$88
-
Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings:
$91
-
Bubbly Grape Marlborough Wine Tours:
$92
-
Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour:
$95
-
Wellington All-Inclusive Half-Day Brewery Tour:
$97
-
Craft Beer Tours NZ Half Day Brewery Experience:
$102
-
Afternoon Brewery Tour with Lunch in Queenstown:
$117
-
Wine Tasting Sampler Tour from Queenstown:
$119
-
Queenstown’s Original Wine Tour:
$119
-
Craft Beer Tours NZ Full Day Brewery Experience:
$133
Typical Alcohol prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Taupo
Also in Taupo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Sip Marlborough Wine Tour:
$69
-
Wine Tours from Queenstown:
$71
-
Gibbston Valley Ride and Wine Tours:
$88
-
Bubbly Grape Marlborough Wine Tours:
$92
-
Afternoon Brewery Tour with Lunch in Queenstown:
$117
-
Wine Tasting Sampler Tour from Queenstown:
$119
-
Queenstown’s Original Wine Tour:
$119
-
Taste Marlborough Wine Tour:
$138
-
Queenstown E-Bikes Wine Tour:
$147
-
Spa and Wine Tasting Experience in Queenstown:
$293
-
Queenstown Private Helicopter and Wine Tour:
$672
When comparing the travel costs between Wellington and Taupo, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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