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

Should you visit Wellington or Odense?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Odense? 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.

Wellington

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

Odense

Odense is a historic, European, and progressive city. Visitors also love the nightlife and food. See Odense travel costs.

Wellington and Odense: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Wellington or Odense?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wellington than Odense, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Wellington is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also home to Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Odense is popular for

How is Wellington different from Odense?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Wellington or Odense? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

Is Wellington or Odense Better for Nightlife?

Wellington
Odense

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Odense.

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.

Odense is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a number of bars and clubs around town. Many are conveniently close together so you can hit up several places in one night. Start your night at a pub before heading out dancing in the club a few hours later.

Is Wellington or Odense Better for Beaches?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for the beach. However, Odense is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful 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.

Odense is not a beach destination.


Is Wellington or Odense Better for Hiking?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Odense is not a hiking destination.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Odense is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Odense?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Wellington or Odense Better for Families?

Wellington
Odense

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Odense.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. 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.

Odense is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.


Is Wellington or Odense Better for Couples?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is a good destination for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Wellington or Odense Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city 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.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.

Is Wellington or Odense Better for Students?

Wellington
Odense

Both Wellington and Odense are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Odense is popular with students. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.


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

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

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.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Wellington or Odense a more walkable city?

Wellington
Odense

Wellington is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

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

Odense is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Odense or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Odense?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Wellington or Odense? Ideal Length of Stay
    Wellington 2-3 
    Odense 2-3

One day in Wellington or Odense?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With food and nightlife around the progressive city of Odense, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Wellington or Odense?

Wellington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Odense, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Odense?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Odense, 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.

A week in Wellington or Odense?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Odense 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark.


Which place is cheaper, Odense or Wellington?

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 Wellington is $124, while the average daily cost in Odense is $218. 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 Wellington and Odense in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wellington $60
    Odense $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wellington $120
    Odense $176
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Odense

Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Odense? 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 Wellington


Hotels in Odense


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 and Odense Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wellington $12
    Odense $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

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

  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
  • Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $74
  • Wellington to Wellington Airport(WLG)-Departure Private Transfer: $78
  • Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
  • WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $105
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $105
  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155

Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Odense?

Prices for flights to both Odense and Wellington 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
    Wellington $51
    Odense $97
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
  • Capital Bites, A food tour of Wellington: $134

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wellington $16
    Odense $32

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
  • Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $17
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
  • Wētā Workshop Creative Classes Experience Ticket: $32
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket: $32
  • Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
  • Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington: $33
  • Zealandia by Day Tour: $37
  • Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38

Tours and Activities in Odense

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Odense are as follows:

  • Odense Private Guided Walking Tour: $382
  • Craft Beer Walking Tour: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wellington $12
    Odense $24

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 Beer & Brewery Half-Day Tour: $98
  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
  • From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
  • Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $208
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391


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


Which is Bigger, Wellington or Odense?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Odense, 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.