Is Darwin Expensive?

Is Darwin expensive to visit?

Darwin is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $111. Compared to the rest of the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in the Pacific for its travel costs, comparable to places like Adelaide and Taupo.



The Ghan, near Darwin (Great Southern Rail)

How expensive is Darwin?

On average, visitors spend about $111 per day when visiting Darwin (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $222 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Darwin here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Darwin?

A weekend trip to Darwin costs about $333 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $667.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Darwin?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Darwin costs around $778 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,555.



Darwin, Northern Territory (Tourism Australia)

Is it expensive to backpack in Darwin?

Darwin is a fairly popular backpacker destination with more than 4 hostels around town. Dorm beds in hostels cost around $17 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $16 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $19. (See hostel prices in Darwin here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Darwin.

  • $16 for a dorm bed at The Cozy Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Darwin?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Darwin, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $144 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 8 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $164 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $95 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $41 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Darwin
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 8 $164
4 stars 24 $189
3 stars 15 $95
2 stars 2 $41

13 Shepherd Street, Darwin
Overall Rating 8.5
64 The Esplanade, Darwin
Overall Rating 8.6

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Darwin?

Activities and things to do in Darwin can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $15 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $31.

    • Darwin Cyclone 30 Minutes Helicopter Tour : $294
    • Litchfield Adventure in a Small Group Day Tour with Lunch: $146
    • Darwin City & Mindil Beach Sunset Market experience: $89
    • ETHICAL ADVENTURES - 1 Day premium Litchfield tour, Max 10 guests: $189
    • The Croc Bus to the Famous Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $86
    • Darwin: Evening tour to Fogg Dam Wetlands and Humpty Doo Hotel: $92
    • 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $139
    • Litchfield Day Tour from Darwin with Offroad Dreaming : $179

    Is food expensive in Darwin?

    Food in Darwin can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $37 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $35. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $112
    • Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $96
    • Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $91
    • Darwin: Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $70
    • Darwin: Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $83

    Is transportation expensive in Darwin?

    The prices of local transportation in Darwin can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $12 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $30. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Darwin

    If you're planning a trip to Darwin, Australia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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