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

Should you visit Bandung or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Wellington? 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.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Bandung travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Wellington travel costs.

Bandung and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wellington than Bandung. While Bandung is larger than Wellington, Wellington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wellington is very popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Bandung attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also well known for Zealandia Ecosanctuary.

How is Bandung different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bandung 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.

Bandung offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

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 Bandung or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bandung is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. 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 Bandung or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Wellington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Wellington is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Bandung 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 Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

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 Bandung or Wellington?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Bandung draws large crowds to its stores. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

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.

Is Bandung or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Wellington is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Wellington Better for Couples?

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

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

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 Bandung or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung and Wellington are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Bandung is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Bandung or Wellington Better for Students?

Both Bandung and Wellington are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Bandung. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

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

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Wellington can move around easily with public transportation. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

You'll find some public transit in Bandung, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Is Bandung or Wellington a more walkable city?

Bandung and Wellington are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Bandung is very walkable. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

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 Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bandung and Wellington. In our opinion, Bandung has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bandung than Wellington. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Wellington 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 Bandung.

One day in Bandung or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the laidback city of Bandung, there's plenty to do. 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.

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.

A weekend in Bandung or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bandung, there's plenty to do. 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.

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.

Five days in Bandung or Wellington?

Bandung, 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.

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.

A week in Bandung or Wellington?

Bandung 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, 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 Bandung and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bandung 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 Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Wellington?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Bandung 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.