A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Okinawa vs. Wellington for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Okinawa 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 Okinawa 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.

Okinawa

Okinawa is a lush, serene, and idyllic archipelago. Okinawa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Okinawa travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Wellington travel costs.

Okinawa and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Okinawa or Wellington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Okinawa than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Okinawa, Okinawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Okinawa is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its shopping. Okinawa is popular for its pristine tropical environment, stunning blue water, and impressive marine life. It is also home to the Kerama Islands. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Okinawa different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Okinawa 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.

Okinawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Although most visitors come for the natural beauty and beach setting, there are some nice historic sights and museums in the region. Favorites include Shurijo Castle, Futenma Shrine, and Churaumi Aquarium.

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 Okinawa or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Okinawa and Wellington offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Okinawa is an experience not to be missed. Food in the region is truly unique, and sometimes a bit bizarre. There's a surprising amount of international influence on the cuisine because the islands are close to China and Taiwan, and there's a large American presence due to the US military. Despite this, the cuisine has its roots in the area's long history. Local dishes include rafute (pork belly in a stew), goya chanpuru (stir fry with melon, pork, and tofu), and umibudo (sea grapes).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Wellington. 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 Okinawa or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Both Okinawa and Wellington are superb when it comes to partying.

Okinawa offers plenty to do in the evening. The diverse population has impacted the nightlife scene, and you'll see international influences at the bars and clubs in the area. Many locals begin their night out at a izakaya, which is part bar, part restaurant. The cities are also known for their jazz clubs and karaoke 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.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Okinawa is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

Okinawa is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are large resorts as well as smaller, elegant hotels. If you want to be near the water, check out the coastal areas of Onna, Miyakojima, and Ishigaki.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Okinawa a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters around Okinawa are filled with a rich biodiversity of corals and tropical fish. You'll also find sea turtles and other larger marine animals. There are also mangrove forests that form the breeding ground for many types of marine life. The snorkeling and diving in the area is world class, and attracts both beginners and experienced divers.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Okinawa. The region is filled with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Some of the beaches are accessible and lively while others are more remote and peaceful. Furuzamami Beach is both easy to access but also has a relaxed atmosphere. Nishihama Beach is more remote but well worth the effort and Aharen Beach is a popular day trip by ferry.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Okinawa 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 Okinawa specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The island's tropical setting provides hikers with lush jungles and unique geology to explore. One of the most popular areas for hiking is Yambaru National Park. In this park you can walk through the mangroves and spot local wildlife. The region also has many off-the-beaten-path hiking opportunities for those looking for an adventure.

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 Okinawa or Wellington?

Wellington is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Okinawa is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Okinawa. There are a number of shopping streets in the urban areas. You'll also find large outlet malls near the US military base. A favorite shopping street in Naha is Kokusai-dori Shopping Street, which has local shops and souvenir vendors.

Is Okinawa or Wellington More Beautiful?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Okinawa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The islands are filled with beautiful natural environments that range from white sand beaches to mangrove forests. The water is turquoise and the setting is idyllic for vacationers.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Families?

Okinawa 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, Okinawa is a very family-friendly destination. There are so many kid-friendly activities in the area, that this has long been a favorite family vacation destination. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the snorkeling, beaches, mangroves, boat rides, and adventure activities like ziplining. Kayaking in Yambaru Mangrove Forest is a favorite activity, but also check out the sea turtles at Ikei Island.

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 Okinawa or Wellington Better for Couples?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Okinawa makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its stunning beaches, world class snorkeling, and relaxing resorts, couples and honeymooners will love a trip to these beautiful islands. There's a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural activities that will keep any couple entertained.

Wellington is a good archipelago 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 Okinawa or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Okinawa is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Okinawa. Despite being one of the most fascinating places in Japan to visit, it can be challenging as a backpacker. There aren't many hostels in the area and transportation can be a bit tricky.

Is Okinawa or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a good destination for students. However, Okinawa is not popular with students.

Wellington is a good city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Okinawa is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Okinawa is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Okinawa has some public transit options. Public transit through the area is decent in urban areas but gets more limited outside of the cities. On the main island there are buses, shuttles, and a monorail, but off the main island you'll want your own vehicle.

Is Okinawa or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Okinawa is not a good archipelago for its walkability.

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

Okinawa is generally not a very walkable archipelago. The islands range from developed to remote, so if you want to efficiently explore, it's helpful to have a car or at least a bicycle.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Okinawa?

How long in Okinawa or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Okinawa and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Okinawa than in Wellington. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Okinawa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

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

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the tropical archipelago of Okinawa, 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 Okinawa or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Okinawa, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Okinawa or Wellington?

Okinawa, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. 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 Okinawa or Wellington?

Okinawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. 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 G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Okinawa and Wellington, we can see that Okinawa 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. Even though Okinawa is in Asia and Wellington is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Okinawa or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Okinawa 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 Okinawa 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 Okinawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Okinawa or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Okinawa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Okinawa is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 29°C (84°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Okinawa. In the summer, Okinawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin January. Okinawa gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. Okinawa usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Okinawa gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Okinawa or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Okinawa and Wellington. Many travelers come to Okinawa for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Okinawa is much warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Okinawa averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

Okinawa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during autumn. Okinawa gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Okinawa gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Okinawa or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Okinawa as well as Wellington. Many visitors come to Okinawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Okinawa is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Okinawa in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

In the winter, Okinawa often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Okinawa gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Okinawa usually gets more rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Okinawa gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Okinawa or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Okinawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Okinawa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

In April, Okinawa is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 22°C (71°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Okinawa usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during spring. Okinawa gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Okinawa. In April, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin October. Okinawa gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Okinawa