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

Should you visit Yokohama or Wellington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Wellington, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, and under-rated city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Yokohama travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Wellington travel costs.

Yokohama and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Wellington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yokohama than Wellington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Yokohama is very popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Wellington attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Yokohama is famous for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also well known for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Yokohama different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wellington and Yokohama. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yokohama or Wellington?

Yokohama 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.

Yokohama offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

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 Yokohama or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yokohama and Wellington.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

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.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Yokohama and Wellington.

Yokohama is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Many people head to Wellington for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is well known for its beaches. However, Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Wellington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wellington and Yokohama.

Yokohama is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

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.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Families?

Yokohama 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, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Couples?

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

Yokohama makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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 Yokohama or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is well known for backpackers. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Yokohama is a good city to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Yokohama or Wellington Better for Students?

Yokohama and Wellington are nice places to visit for students.

Yokohama is popular with students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

It's common for students to visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Yokohama and Wellington.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

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

Is Yokohama or Wellington a more walkable city?

Yokohama and Wellington both are very good when exploring on foot.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Yokohama and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wellington than in Yokohama. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yokohama, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

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

When visiting Yokohama, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Yokohama, one day is sufficent for most.

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.

A weekend in Yokohama or Wellington?

When visiting Yokohama, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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.

Five days in Yokohama or Wellington?

Yokohama, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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.

A week in Yokohama or Wellington?

Yokohama 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Wellington, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yokohama is in Asia and Wellington is in Pacific, 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama 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 Yokohama Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Wellington?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama and Wellington, 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 Yokohama or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Yokohama or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Wellington. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Yokohama is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yokohama in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In the summer, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yokohama usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Yokohama is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 18°C (64°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Yokohama during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Yokohama is much colder than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

In the winter, Yokohama often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yokohama usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Wellington. The activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.

In the spring, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yokohama in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin October. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Yokohama