Which place is cheaper, Te Anau or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Wellington or Te Anau? 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 is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.
Te Anau is a breathtaking, stunning, and pristine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food and hiking.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Te Anau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Te Anau is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Te Anau is well known for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Te Anau and Wellington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Wellington is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.
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.
Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.
Both Wellington and Te Anau offer a number of excellent 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 Te Anau is an experience not to be missed. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.
Wellington is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.
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.
Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.
Wellington is a very popular place for the beache. However, Te Anau is not a beach destination.
The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. 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.
Te Anau is not a beach destination.
Te Anau 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 Te Anau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.
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.
Wellington is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.
Wellington is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.
Te Anau is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Te Anau is a very family-friendly destination. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.
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.
Te Anau is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Te Anau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.
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.
Wellington and Te Anau are both excellent 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.
Te Anau is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.
Wellington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Te Anau is not popular with students.
Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.
Te Anau is not popular with students.
Wellington is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.
Wellington is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.
Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.
Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.
For even more information, also check out Is Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Te Anau Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Te Anau. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wellington than Te Anau. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.
Families should spend more time in Te Anau than Wellington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Te Anau, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Wellington than Te Anau. 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 Te Anau 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.
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.
Te Anau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Te Anau, one day is sufficent for most.
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.
Even though Te Anau is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 town.
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.
Te Anau, 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.
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.
Te Anau 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 Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in Te Anau is $99. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Wellington and Te Anau in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Te Anau? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Te Anau, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Te Anau 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.
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Te Anau, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Wellington and Te Anau, we can see that Wellington 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Te Anau Expensive?.
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Te Anau, 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.