Make it a trip · Wellington, New Zealand
What Wellington costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Te Aro and the waterfront.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
NZeTA plus the visitor levy Fixed
For GB, US, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
NZ$17 for the NZeTA in the official app plus the NZ$100 International Visitor Levy, paid together. On the website the NZeTA costs NZ$23.
Sources: Wego, New Zealand visa fees and levy 2026 (2026), AirTraveler Club, IVL 2026 (2026-10)
NZ$117 -
Airport Express bus to Wellington Station Fixed
Contactless or cash. 9.23 NZD with a Snapper card. Every 10 to 20 minutes, 25 to 35 minutes.
Source: Metlink, Airport Express (2026)
NZ$12 Book an airport pickup -
No visa, NZeTA or levy Fixed
For AU passports.
Australian citizens are exempt from the NZeTA and the visitor levy.
Source: AirTraveler Club, IVL 2026 (2026-10)
Free -
Home Fixed
For NZ passports.
Nothing to pay.
Source: Wego, New Zealand visa fees and levy 2026 (2026)
Free
Getting around
-
Metlink bus ride, inner city zone Many reports
Cash fare. About 2.18 NZD at peak with Snapper or a bank card.
Source: Cities Insider, Wellington transport fares (2026)
NZ$3 -
Metlink Explorer day pass Many reports
25 NZD in cash.
Source: Cities Insider, Wellington transport fares (2026)
NZ$22
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$12.80 -
US$9.70
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$60 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$3.50 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$7.30
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$0.80 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$2.50 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Wellington (2026-06)
US$3.60
Doing
-
Wellington Cable Car, return Fixed
Adult. One way costs 7 NZD. Every 10 minutes.
Source: Wellington Cable Car, timetable and fares (2026)
NZ$13 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 7 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 15 NZD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Wellington hostels (2026-10)
NZ$24 to NZ$37 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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