Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Wellington or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Whitsundays? 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.
Where Should I go: Wellington or Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Wellington Prices
New Zealand PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $124Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $124, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $60Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $120Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Whitsundays? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
- Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $58
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one dayWellington $51Whitsundays $52
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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: $126
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
- Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
- Craft beers & car museum - Half Day Tour incl beverage samples: $99
- Craft beers & car museums - Full Day Tour incl beverage samples: $168
- Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour : $53
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $110
- From Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour: $292
- From Martinborough Winery Tour: $112
- From Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour: $129
- Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including Cable Car: $150
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $177
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $177
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Whitsundays $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: $100
- From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $170
- Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $395
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Wellington or Whitsundays?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Wellington or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Whitsundays. The summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Wellington is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryWellington 18°C (64°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Whitsundays. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
Wellington is much colder than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilWellington 15°C (58°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyWellington 10°C (49°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.
In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberWellington 13°C (55°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Wellington
| Wellington | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.