About Wellington
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand, and is the administrative centre of the Wellington Region. It is the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state. Wellington features a temperate maritime climate, and is the world's windiest city by average wind speed. Metro Wellington has a population of 433,900 as of June 2025, including the integral cities of Lower Hutt, Porirua and Upper Hutt. The city has served as New Zealand's capital since 1865, a status that is not defined in legislation, but established by convention; the New Zealand Government and Parliament, the Supreme Court and most of the public services are based in the city.
Cheap flights to Wellington
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $761 from Honolulu, travelling 4 Feb – 6 Mar. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LAX Los Angeles to Wellington30 Mar – 13 Apr · WLG from$958
- SFO San Francisco to Wellington5 Aug – 26 Aug · WLG from$976
- JFK New York to Wellington11 Feb – 20 Feb · WLG from$1,348
- CHI Chicago to Wellington1 Mar – 15 Mar · WLG from$1,276
- WAS Washington to Wellington10 Feb – 24 Feb · WLG from$1,540
- DFW Dallas to Wellington3 Sep – 18 Sep · WLG from$1,647
- PDX Portland to Wellington9 Dec – 16 Dec · WLG from$1,468
- DEN Denver to Wellington1 Feb – 8 Feb · WLG from$1,457
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Qantas Airways, American Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to WellingtonPlaces to visit in Wellington
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Te Papa
MuseumNew Zealand's national museum, with exhibits on Māori culture, nature, and history. Entry to the main exhibitions is free, so allow time for a long visit.
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Wellington Cable Car
LandmarkA red funicular climbing from the Lambton Quay shopping street to a lookout in Kelburn, with a small museum at the top. Ride it up and walk back down through the Botanic Garden to the city.
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Mount Victoria
ViewpointA hill near the city center with panoramic views over the harbor and city. Walk up through the town belt, and bring a jacket, as it can be windy.
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Zealandia
Nature · 1 mi from centreA fenced urban wildlife sanctuary in a green valley where rare native birds and reptiles live free from introduced predators. Join a guided night tour for a chance to spot kiwi and glowworms.
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Wellington Botanic Garden
ParkA hillside garden with native forest, colorful flower beds, and winding walking trails above the city center. Visit the rose garden in summer, then follow the paths downhill back into town.
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Cuba Street
NeighborhoodA lively street of cafes, bars, and vintage shops, the heart of Wellington's creative scene. Look for the Bucket Fountain, and explore the side lanes.
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Wētā Workshop
EntertainmentThe special effects studio behind The Lord of the Rings, offering tours of props and costumes. Book a tour in advance, and take the bus to Miramar.
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Oriental Bay
BeachA sandy city beach with a seaside promenade lined with cafes and apartments, popular for swimming and strolling. Walk the waterfront path from the city center for fine views across the harbor.
Top experiences in Wellington
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.
Wine and Wild Coast - Small Group Tour
From $197 per adult
Craft Brewery - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $99 per adult
The Best of Wellington - Half-Day Tour
From $77 per adult
Lord of the Rings - Half-Day Tour
From $111 per adult
Martinborough Wine Region - Full-Day Tour
From $171 per adult
Exclusive Shenandoah - Half-Day Tour
From $87 per adult
Petone Taste Buds - Small Group Tour
From $139 per adult
Martinborough Winery and Foodie - Small Group Tour
From $182 per adult
Martinborough Foodie - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $105 per adult
Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour
From $119 per adult
The Best of Wellington - Full-Day Tour
From $177 per adult
Lord of the Rings - Full-Day Tour
From $171 per adult
Where to stay in Wellington
Popular hotels in Wellington, out of 113 properties you can book.
Rydges Wellington
From $86 per night
Oaks Wellington Hotel
From $67 per night
Museum Apartment Hotel
From $69 per night
Adina CityLife Wellington
From $64 per night
Travelodge Hotel Wellington
From $43 per night
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington
From $90 per night
Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman
From $52 per night
Rydges Wellington Airport
From $115 per night
QT Wellington
From $119 per night
Sofitel Wellington
From $122 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington
From $116 per night
Mantra Wellington Central
From $70 per night
Best time to visit Wellington
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Wellington is February, when average daytime highs are around 68°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Wellington weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 64° 59° 100%
- Thu 12 Nov 64° 58° 0%
- Fri 13 Nov 64° 55° 22%
- Sat 14 Nov 63° 56° 24%
- Sun 15 Nov 62° 57° 4%
- Mon 16 Nov 63° 55° 49%
- Tue 17 Nov 61° 54° 41%
Know before you go
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.78
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Calling code
- +64
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Pacific/AucklandUTC+13
Upcoming public holidays in New Zealand
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Day after New Year's Day
- Waitangi Day
- Good Friday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Wellington
These are the airports closest to central Wellington. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- WLG Wellington Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
Getting around Wellington
It's easy to get around the central city on foot, as it's very compact and pedestrian-friendly.
Tickets and fares
Bus and train fares use a zone structure. For example, a single cash ticket for 1–3 zones costs $3, $4.5, and $6 respectively (May 2026). While there are 14 fare zones in total on the Metlink network, nearly all the Wellington urban area is covered by seven zones (there are two semi-rural suburbs of Upper Hutt in zone 8). Child tickets are available to those aged 5 to 15 and those 16 and over still at secondary school, while children under 5 travel free.
By bus
Wellington has an extensive network of buses. Excellent and free network maps and route timetables and maps are available from locations throughout town, including the main visitor centre in Civic Square, the Central Library, and many convenience stores. You can also access the timetables and maps online. While these maps can be quite useful if you desire to travel into the suburbs, they aren't generally necessary if you simply want to travel across the central city.
By train
Metlink's suburban rail network provides frequent electric trains connecting central Wellington with the northern suburbs of Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast. On weekdays, services run every 20 minutes on the Hutt Valley and Kapiti lines, every 30 minutes on the Johnsonville line, and hourly on the Melling line. On weekends, the service on the Hutt Valley and Kapiti lines reduces to every 30 minutes and there are no services on the Melling line.
Wellington travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Wellington is February, when average daytime highs are around 68°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Wellington?
February is usually the warmest month in Wellington, with average highs of 68°F (20°C). August is the coolest, with average lows of 47°F (9°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 116 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Wellington?
Wellington Airport (WLG) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Wellington.
How much are flights to Wellington?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Wellington in the last 30 days was $761 from Honolulu, travelling 4 Feb – 6 Mar. February is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $761.
What currency is used in Wellington?
Wellington uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.78.
What time zone is Wellington in?
Wellington uses the Pacific/Auckland time zone (currently UTC+13). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Wellington?
It's easy to get around the central city on foot, as it's very compact and pedestrian-friendly.
What are the best places to visit in Wellington?
Top sights in Wellington include Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, Mount Victoria and Zealandia. New Zealand's national museum, with exhibits on Māori culture, nature, and history. Entry to the main exhibitions is free, so allow time for a long visit.
What are the top things to do in Wellington?
Popular experiences you can book in Wellington include Wine and Wild Coast - Small Group Tour, Craft Brewery - Half-Day Small Group Tour and The Best of Wellington - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Wellington?
Popular areas for hotels in Wellington include Wellington. Well-reviewed options include Rydges Wellington and Oaks Wellington Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Wellington?
Destina Holidays currently lists 113 properties in and around Wellington, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
