How much does it cost to travel to Darwin?
You should plan to spend around $111 (AU$170) per day on your vacation in Darwin. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $37 (AU$57) on meals
- $12 (AU$18) on local transportation
- $123 (AU$190) on hotels
A one week trip to Darwin for two people costs, on average, $1,549 (AU$2,387). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Darwin has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Darwin expensive to visit?
Prices in Darwin are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Darwin is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Noosa Heads or Taupo.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Darwin Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Darwin?
The average Darwin trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Darwin travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
AU$190
($123)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
AU$18
($12)
|
|
Food 2
|
AU$57
($37)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
AU$24
($15)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
AU$10 -
29
($6 - 19)
|
Accommodation Budget in Darwin
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Darwin is $62 (AU$95). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Darwin is $123 (AU$190). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Darwin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Darwin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Darwin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (AU$18) per person, per day, on local transportation in Darwin.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
AU$18
How much does it cost to go to Darwin? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Darwin will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Darwin are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Darwin, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Shuttle to Train Station
AU$15
Food Budget in Darwin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Darwin can vary, the average cost of food in Darwin is $37 (AU$57) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Darwin should cost around $15 (AU$23) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Darwin is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$37
AU$57
Entertainment Budget in Darwin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Darwin typically cost an average of $15 (AU$24) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$15
AU$24
Alcohol Budget in Darwin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $13 (AU$20) on alcoholic beverages in Darwin per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$13
AU$20
Typical prices for Alcohol in Darwin are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Darwin, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Evening at a Bar
AU$24
-
Glass of Wine
AU$7.00
Darwin On a Budget
Darwin, Northern Territory (Tourism Australia)
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
Darwin serves as a hub for trips to Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge. Tourism is the largest industry in the city and amenities for tourists are plentiful.
Because Darwin is set in a tropical climate, you'll find it has two seasons, a dry season between May and October, and a wet season between November and April. While rare, the city is occasionally struck by cyclones. Most visitors go to Darwin during the cooler dry season between the months of April and September. Temperatures are typically in the high 80s Fahrenheit and nights are cooler.
Sights
Darwin has many sights for visitors including cultural sights, historical landmarks, and natural settings. There are many parks both in and near the city. There are also several great museums and several historical attractions. Check out the suggestions below, or see this
3-day Darwin itinerary for more ideas.
Some of the most popular places to visit in Darwin include the Darwin Wharf Precinct,
Fannie Bay Gaol, Burnett House at Myilly Point, and Adelaide River War Cemetery. Also be sure and visit Bicentennial Park,
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Lake Alexander, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and Northern Territory Parliament House. There are some truly fascinating natural settings around the city and it's recommended, if you have access to a car, to take some day trips from town and explore the nearby parks and reserves. After all, much of the appeal of Australia is the country's unique environment and nature.
Neighborhoods
Darwin can be separated into the central business district and the newer northern suburbs. The central business district is bounded by Daly Street to the northwest, McMinn Street to the northeast, Mitchell Street to the southwest and Bennett Street to the southeast. Within the central business district, Stokes Hill wharf waterfront area has been the focus of much redevelopment. The city's industrial areas are along Stuart Highway toward Palmerston. Casuarina Square is the shopping precinct. Expensive residential areas are along the coast and include Larrakeyah and Brinkin.
Activities
Popular parks and nature areas near Darwin include Berry Springs Nature Park, Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Aquascene,
Crocodylus Park, and the Territory Wildlife Park. Because Darwin is a gateway to the Northern Territory, many people also use it as a base to explore Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Litchfield National Park, and Tiwi Islands. In fact, all of these nearby destinations are on the list of
the top 5 must do attractions in Darwin.
Because of the area's great multicultural heritage, there are some really wonderful markets where you can buy some locally made handicrafts. This is a great city to pick up some aboriginal souvenirs or one-of-a-kind works of art. Even if you're not shopping for something to buy, many of the markets are worth taking a stroll through just to look. Some of the more popular markets include the Tiwi Art Network,
Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery, and Casuarina Square.
Food and Dining
There are a range of restaurants in Darwin's downtown area. Many of the more popular places to eat are located around Mitchell and Knuckey Streets where you'll find cafes, pubs, and fine dining. Lunch is a great time to eat out as options are plentiful and prices are cheaper. You can enjoy everything from sushi to tapas at a discount during lunch hours. If you're on a tight budget then your best options are pubs, Indian, Asian, and fast food restaurants. It's also possible to pick up some ingredients and prepare your own meals.
Transportation
To truly take advantage of being in Darwin, you really need to have a car. Most of the destinations are spread out, and parking is readily available.
If you don't have access to a car, there is a
bus system that will help you reach the attractions that are closer to the city. Some sights may be within walking distance, but without a car, you will miss many of the popular activities in Darwin. Walking around the city center can be hot and uncomfortable. Cycling is a good option as the area is generally flat and drivers are used to cyclists. If you don't have access to a car and want to get out of town it's possible to arrange a tour.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.