Wellington
Wellington itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 days
Two days covers Wellington for most travellers: one for Te Papa and the waterfront, one for Mount Victoria, the cable car and Cuba Street. Do one day only if you are passing through to the Cook Strait ferry; add a third for Wētā Workshop, Zealandia or a Wairarapa day trip.
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GuideWellington
Key facts
- Nights to book
- 1–2 (parent country guide); 2 nights fits the 2-day plan
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (parent country guide)
- Getting around
- Central sights walkable; cable car and buses for the hills
- Te Papa entry
- Free general admission; special exhibitions may be ticketed
- Cable car farecheck
- 2026 estimate, check current price
- Airport to city
- About 20–30 minutes by car or bus
- Ferry to Picton
- About 3.5 hours across Cook Strait
Which length fits you
Wellington is compact and the centre is walkable, so the itinerary is decided by how much time you have between arrival and the ferry rather than by distance. The parent country guide gives Wellington 1–2 nights; two nights is the sweet spot for a first visit.
| Plan | Best for | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Ferry stopover or a work trip | 6–8 hours on foot | Free–NZ$60 if you add the cable car and a museum |
| 2 days | Most first-time visitors | 2 full days | NZ$60–150 per person, excluding food and lodging |
| 3 days | Museum, film and wildlife fans | 3 full days | NZ$150–350 per person with paid attractions |
| Half day | Arriving late or leaving early | 3–4 hours | Free (waterfront and Cuba Street) |
Costs exclude accommodation and meals; see where to eat in Wellington and where to stay in Wellington.
One day in Wellington
Start at Te Papa on the waterfront when it opens; the national museum is the single best use of a short visit and general admission is free. Give it two to three hours, then walk the waterfront past the lagoon to Oriental Bay for the view back at the city.
After lunch, ride the cable car up to the Botanic Garden and walk down through the gardens to the Beehive and Parliament grounds. Finish on Cuba Street for coffee, records and dinner, or on Courtenay Place if you want bars. If you are catching the ferry, be back at the terminal about an hour before departure.
- Te Papa (2–3 hours)
- Waterfront and Oriental Bay (1 hour)
- Cable car and Botanic Garden (1–1.5 hours)
- Parliament grounds (30 minutes)
- Cuba Street and Courtenay Place (evening)
Two days in Wellington
Day 1: Te Papa, the waterfront, the cable car and the Botanic Garden, then Cuba Street for the evening. This is the core of the city and needs no transport beyond your feet and one cable car ride.
Day 2: walk or bus up to Mount Victoria for the harbour lookout in the morning, then pick one paid attraction for the afternoon — Wētā Workshop for film fans, Zealandia for wildlife, or the Wellington Museum if you want the city's story. Keep the late afternoon free for the waterfront or a brewery.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Te Papa | Waterfront, Oriental Bay, cable car, Botanic Garden | Cuba Street or Courtenay Place |
| Day 2 | Mount Victoria lookout | Wētā Workshop, Zealandia or Wellington Museum | Waterfront or a craft brewery |
Three days in Wellington
Add a third day and you can leave the city. The Wairarapa over the Remutaka Hill has vineyards and the small towns of Greytown and Martinborough, reachable by train or as a day drive. Alternatively stay in town and split the paid attractions across two afternoons so neither is rushed.
A third day also gives you a weather buffer. Wellington is windy and wet year-round; if your Mount Victoria morning is washed out, move it and keep the indoor sights for that slot.
- Wairarapa wine day trip (train or car)
- Wētā Workshop and Zealandia on separate days
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa special exhibition
- A walk on the south coast or to Red Rocks
What it costs
Wellington's headline sights are cheap: Te Papa general admission is free and the waterfront, Cuba Street and Mount Victoria cost nothing. Budget for the cable car, one or two paid attractions and public transport. Prices below are 2026 estimates and should be checked before you book.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Te Papa general admission | Free | Special exhibitions may be ticketed |
| Cable car, one way | NZ$6–10 | Check current fare |
| Wētā Workshop tour | NZ$50–70 | Book ahead in summer |
| Zealandia entry | NZ$25–35 | Check current price |
| Public transport day pass | NZ$10–20 | Check Metlink fares |
| Airport to city | NZ$10–40 | Bus cheaper than taxi or rideshare |
Practical tips
Book the ferry to Picton and any Wētā Workshop tour before you arrive in summer; both sell out. Wellington weather changes fast, so carry a rain layer even on a clear morning.
The city centre is small enough to walk, but the hills are steep. Use the cable car for the Botanic Garden and buses for Mount Victoria and the zoo. If you are continuing south, the ferry terminal is a short drive or bus ride from the centre.
- Book ferry and tours ahead in Dec–Feb
- Pack a windproof and waterproof layer
- Use a day pass if you take more than two bus trips
- Allow an hour at the ferry terminal before departure
- Check the airport transfer page before choosing a taxi
FAQ
Questions people ask
How many days do you need in Wellington?
Two days is enough for most travellers: Te Papa and the waterfront on day one, Mount Victoria and one paid attraction on day two. One day works for a ferry stopover; add a third for Wētā Workshop, Zealandia or the Wairarapa.
What can I see in Wellington in one day?
Te Papa in the morning, the waterfront and Oriental Bay at midday, then the cable car up to the Botanic Garden and a walk down to Parliament. Finish on Cuba Street. That is a full day on foot with one cable car ride.
What is a good 3-day itinerary for Wellington?
Day 1 Te Papa and the waterfront; day 2 Mount Victoria plus Wētā Workshop or Zealandia; day 3 a Wairarapa wine trip over the Remutaka Hill or a second museum and the south coast. The third day also acts as a weather buffer.
Is Wellington worth visiting if I only have one night?
Yes, if you are using it as a ferry stopover. Arrive by mid-afternoon, see Te Papa or the waterfront, eat on Cuba Street, and leave the next morning. You will miss the hills and the paid attractions.
Do I need a car in Wellington?
No. The centre, Te Papa, Cuba Street and the cable car are walkable, and buses cover Mount Victoria and the zoo. A car only helps for the Wairarapa or the south coast.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialWellingtonNZ – official regional tourism
- officialTe Papa Tongarewa
- officialMetlink – Wellington public transport
- officialInterislander – Cook Strait ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage – Wellington