Is Wellington expensive to visit?
Wellington is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $117. If we compare it to the rest of the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in the Pacific for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Cairns and Surfers Paradise.

Wellington, New Zealand
How expensive is Wellington?
Travelers spend an average of $117 per day when visiting Wellington (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Wellington here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Wellington?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Wellington costs around $352 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $705.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Wellington?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Wellington will cost around $822 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,644.
Is it expensive to backpack in Wellington?
With more than 8 hostels around town, Wellington is a fairly popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost an average of $19 per night. There's a wide range in prices here, as the cheapest beds cost around $13. The most expensive dorm beds will cost more than $31 at times, too. (See hostel prices in Wellington here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Wellington.
- $16 for a dorm bed at Trek Global
- $26 for a dorm bed at The Marion
- $21 for a dorm bed at The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers
Are hotels expensive in Wellington?
If you're considering hotel prices in Wellington, you'll find them to be slightly more budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $102. In Wellington, there are about 8 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $134. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $91 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $46 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Wellington
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 8 | $134 |
4 stars | 25 | $107 |
3 stars | 22 | $91 |
2 stars | 5 | $46 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Wellington?
In Wellington, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $15 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $36.
- Spectacular Wellington: Half Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $195
- Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $52
- Wellington City and Sea: Private Tour in Electric Tesla SUV: $180
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $52
- Small-Group Beekeeping Experience in Tauherenikau: $42
- Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Explorer Cycle Tour: $128
- Easy Rider Two-Hour Wellington eBike Tour: $70
- Filming locations of Lord of The Rings Tour with Guide: $177
Is food expensive in Wellington?
In Wellington, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $48 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $51.
- Wellington: 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $128
Is transportation expensive in Wellington?
The prices of local transportation in Wellington can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $11 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $20. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Wellington
If you're planning a trip to Wellington, New Zealand, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.