A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Adelaide for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Darwin or Adelaide?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Adelaide, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Darwin or Adelaide?

Darwin

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.

Adelaide

Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the State of South Australia. It's also the fifth largest city in the country. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.

Which city is cheaper, Adelaide or Darwin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $97, while the average daily cost in Adelaide is $96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Darwin and Adelaide in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $54
    Adelaide $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $108
    Adelaide $114
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Adelaide

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Adelaide? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Darwin


Hotels in Adelaide


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Darwin Hotel Prices and Adelaide Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $10
    Adelaide $16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Darwin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:


  • Shuttle to Train Station
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:

  • Wildman Fishing Tours - Fishing + Scenic Flight Transfer: $1,146
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Darwin Airport: $142
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Darwin Airport to Hotel: $142

Typical Local Transportation prices in Adelaide

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Adelaide are as follows:


  • Shuttle from the Train Station
    $3.91

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide

Also for Adelaide, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Adelaide Airport Private Chauffeured Transfer: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Adelaide Airport: $40
  • Corporate transfers and wine tours: $43
  • Adelaide Airport Departure Transfer in a Tesla Model3 EV: $44
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport: $61
  • Transfer in private minivan from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport: $61
  • Private Transfer: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL): $64
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car: $67
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Business Car: $71
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $99
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $99
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Adelaide?

Prices for flights to both Adelaide and Darwin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Darwin $32
    Adelaide $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $36
  • Adelaide Central Market The Collaborators Dinner Tour: $154

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $13
    Adelaide $12

Tours and Activities in Darwin

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:

  • 11-day Darwin to Cairns tour: $1,580
  • 2-Day Kakadu and Arnhem Land Tour from Darwin: $753
  • 3-Day Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land Explorer Tour from Darwin: $1,028
  • 5 Day Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land Tour: $2,837
  • 9 Day Darwin to Broome Adventure: $1,779
  • 9-Day Kimberley Offroad Adventure from Darwin to Broome: $1,580
  • Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise with Roundtrip Helicopter from Darwin: $545
  • Arnhem Land Injalak Hill Full-Day Tour from Darwin: $213
  • Bombing of Darwin World War II Tour with Harbour Cruise: $100
  • Darwin Adventure Rentals - 10 Day Rental - 4WD Camper rentals: $1,216
  • Darwin Adventure Rentals - 5 Day Rental - 4WD Camper rentals: $608
  • Darwin Adventure Rentals - 6 Day Rental - 4WD Camper rentals: $730

Tours and Activities in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Australian Wine Discovery Tour Ticket: $12
  • Adelaide Scavenger Hunt: Adelaide Adventure: $12
  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide: $19
  • Jimmy C Street Art Walking Tour: $20
  • Cultural Caper Adelaide Walking Tour: $24
  • Adelaide Walking Tour: East End Escapade: $24
  • Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour: $24
  • Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation: $28
  • Australian Wine Discovery Tour with Tastings: $32
  • Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Paranormal Investigation: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $11
    Adelaide $19
Typical Alcohol prices in Darwin

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $17
  • Glass of Wine
    $4.97

Sample the Local Flavors in Darwin

Also in Darwin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Heli Pub Crawl – 4 Pubs: $782

Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:

  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $55
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $78
  • Adelaide Hills Wine Tour: $81
  • The Lane Vineyard: Panorama Private Wine Tasting Experience: $103
  • From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $107
  • Barossa Valley Wine Tours - Small Private Groups: $119
  • Barossa Valley Cellar Doors Luxury Wine Tour: $121
  • McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike: $126
  • Small-Group Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $126
  • McLaren Vale Luxury Wine Tour: $155
  • McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $158
  • Small-Group Full-Day Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Wine Tour from Adelaide: $158

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Darwin and Adelaide, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Darwin or Adelaide?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Summer?

Both Adelaide and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Adelaide. Temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (83°F), and Adelaide stays around 22°C (72°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Adelaide. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Adelaide. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Adelaide 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Adelaide.

Darwin is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (84°F) in April, and Adelaide stays around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Darwin usually receives more rain than Adelaide. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Adelaide 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Adelaide.

In the winter, Darwin is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Darwin in July are around 25°C (77°F), and Adelaide is about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Adelaide. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Adelaide. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Adelaide 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Darwin is generally much warmer than Adelaide. Temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (85°F), and Adelaide stays around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives more rain than Adelaide. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Adelaide 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Darwin

Darwin Adelaide
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 11°C (52°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 25 mm (1 in)


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Darwin vs. Adelaide Travel Comparison

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