A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hangzhou vs. Wellington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hangzhou or Wellington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hangzhou and Wellington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Hangzhou or Wellington?

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Hangzhou?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $80, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $124. 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 Hangzhou and Wellington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hangzhou $24
    Wellington $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hangzhou $48
    Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Wellington

Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Wellington? 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.

Hotels in Hangzhou


Hotels in Wellington


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hangzhou $8.24
    Wellington $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
  • Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $87
  • VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
  • Transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center: $75
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou: $88
  • Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113
  • Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
  • Private Transfer to Mogan Mountian from Hangzhou: $85
  • Private Transfer to Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
  • Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
  • Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
  • WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Wellington?

Prices for flights to both Wellington and Hangzhou 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hangzhou $31
    Wellington $51
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.38
  • Pizza Hut Lunch
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.

  • All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
  • Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
  • Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203

Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $8.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hangzhou $20
    Wellington $16

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
  • 1-day Village Tea Picking, Roasting & Serving Guided Private Tour from Hangzhou : $244
  • 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
  • 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $113
  • 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $188
  • 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
  • 7 hours Hangzhou Tour Itinerary: $219
  • All Inclusive Tour of Lingyin Temple and Pagoda of Six Harmonies: $199
  • Amazing Landmarks Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $225
  • Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153

Tours and Activities in Wellington

For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.95
  • Wellington Zoo General Entry Tickets: $15
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Entry Ticket: $28
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket: $32
  • Wētā Workshop Creative Classes Experience Ticket: $32
  • Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington: $33
  • Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
  • Zealandia by Day Tour: $37
  • Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hangzhou $10
    Wellington $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
  • From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
  • Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou.

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


Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Wellington?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hangzhou or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Wellington. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hangzhou is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hangzhou 29°C (85°F) 
    Wellington 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hangzhou is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hangzhou in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In October, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hangzhou 19°C (66°F) 
    Wellington 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Hangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hangzhou can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hangzhou is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 5°C (41°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hangzhou 5°C (41°F) 
    Wellington 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Wellington. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

Hangzhou is a little warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hangzhou 16°C (61°F) 
    Wellington 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Wellington and Hangzhou

Hangzhou Wellington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 159 mm (6.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)