Home › Wellington › On a budget
Wellington on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Wellington is one of New Zealand's easiest cities on a budget thanks to free museums and walks: allow about NZ$130 per person per day, with about NZ$60 for a bed, NZ$50 for food, NZ$10 for sights and NZ$8 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NZ$60 | NZ$130 | NZ$260 |
| Food & drink | NZ$50 | NZ$90 | NZ$160 |
| Sights & tickets | NZ$10 | NZ$50 | NZ$110 |
| Local transport | NZ$8 | NZ$20 | NZ$50 |
| Per person, per day | NZ$128 | NZ$290 | NZ$580 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Wellington day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum (general entry free).
- Free tour of Parliament and the Beehive.
- Wellington Botanic Garden and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
- Walk up Mount Victoria for sunset over the harbour.
- Walk the waterfront from Te Papa to Queens Wharf and along Oriental Parade.
- The Wellington Museum in the old Bond Store and the Cable Car Museum.
Cheap eats
- Cuba Street Night Market dishes on Fridays: about NZ$10-15.
- Meat pie from a bakery: about NZ$6-9.
- Fish and chips by the waterfront: about NZ$15-20.
- Asian food in Te Aro food courts and noodle shops: about NZ$15-20.
- Flat white: about NZ$5.50-6.50.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in Te Aro and around Cuba Street, close to cheap food and nightlife, at about NZ$100-160 for a private double and less for dorm beds.
Getting around cheaply
The centre is walkable (Te Papa to Lambton Quay in 15-20 minutes). Metlink buses and trains accept Snapper cards or contactless. The Airport Express bus costs about NZ$10-12 and takes 20-30 minutes; taxis cost about NZ$30-40.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Te Papa (free) and a flat white on the waterfront (about NZ$6).
- Lunch: pie or noodles in Te Aro (about NZ$15).
- Afternoon: cable car to Kelburn (about NZ$6-7) and walk down through the Botanic Garden, then a free Parliament tour.
- Evening: Cuba Street dinner (about NZ$15) and sunset on Mount Victoria, with a hostel bed.
- Total: about NZ$130
More ways to save
- Cook in your hostel kitchen and shop at supermarkets.
- Visit Zealandia by day (about NZ$25-30) if the night tour is too expensive.
- Walk the town belt and coastal paths rather than taking tours.
- Check Metlink fares and off-peak discounts before using trains.
- Visit in summer, December to March, for the best weather and outdoor free events.
- Remember NZeTA and the IVL levy must be paid online before you travel.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What can I do for free in Wellington?
Te Papa, Parliament tours, the Botanic Garden, Mount Victoria, the waterfront and the Wellington Museum.
How do I get from the airport?
The Airport Express bus takes 20-30 minutes for about NZ$10-12; taxis cost about NZ$30-40.
Where should budget travellers stay?
Te Aro and around Cuba Street, where hostels cost about NZ$100-160 for a double.