Capital city, New Zealand
Wellington
New Zealand's compact, creative capital: great coffee, craft beer, walkable waterfront and good food. Suits a short city break or a base for government and creative work; the wind and rain are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,360–3,090Comfortable, one person · NZ$4,200–5,500Details
- Value for money42/100Better value than 41% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–AprWarmest: Feb, 19°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2023) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet215 MbpsFixed broadband, New Zealand medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and treated; follow any local boil-water notices after quakes or storms.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$39–67Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessContactless cards and phones work almost everywhere; cash is rarely needed, aside from some market stalls.Details
Where to stay in Wellington
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Te Aro and Cuba Street | Cafés, bars, hostels and nightlife; close to everything |
| Oriental Bay | Waterfront apartments and swimming; bit pricier |
| Thorndon | Quiet, historic, near Parliament and the train |
| Newtown | Cheaper flats, diverse food, close to the zoo |
Apps that work in Wellington
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger, WhatsApp
- MetService: Mountain and marine weather forecasts
- NZ Traveller Declaration: Arrival declaration before landing
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and plentiful at the airport and Courtenay Place. Book on busy weekends and big events.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in New Zealand.
- Practically cashless Contactless cards and phones work almost everywhere; cash is rarely needed, aside from some market stalls.
- Currency: Dollar (NZD). US$1 ≈ NZ$1.78 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in every town but scarce in remote areas; home-bank fees usually cost more than the machine's. Decline conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; rounding up or 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Many cafés add about 15% on public holidays.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; Auckland buses, trains and ferries take contactless cards.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA: NZ$17 in the app or NZ$23 online, plus the NZ$100 International Visitor Levy, paid together.
- Everyone completes the free New Zealand Traveller Declaration online or in the NZTD app before arrival; a paper form remains for those who can't.
- Visitors may work remotely for overseas employers or clients, but not for New Zealand businesses.
Emergency numbers
Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111 · All emergencies 111
Plugs
Type I · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from One NZ, Spark and 2degrees at airports and supermarkets, about NZ$30–60 for a month. Coverage gaps on mountain roads. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in New Zealand
Going to Wellington solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Wellington meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.