A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Darwin vs. Auckland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Darwin or Auckland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Auckland, 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 Auckland?

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.

Auckland

Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.

Which city is cheaper, Auckland 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 Auckland is $122. 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 Auckland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $54
    Auckland $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $108
    Auckland $154
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Auckland

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Auckland? 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 Auckland


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 Auckland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $10
    Auckland $14
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 Auckland

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $10
  • Airport Shuttle
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

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

  • Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre: $21
  • Auckland Airport: Express Bus Transfer to Auckland City: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Auckland to Auckland Airport (AKL): $27
  • Private Airport Transfer: Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland: $27
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Airport: $31
  • Private Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport: $41
  • Private Transfer From Auckland International Airport To Auckland City: $44
  • Private Transfer From Auckland Domestic Airport To Auckland City: $44
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from the Airport: $66
  • Departure Private Transfer Auckland City to Auckland Airport AKL by Sedan Car: $68
  • Auckland Airport transfers: $70
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) Private Transfer: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Auckland?

Prices for flights to both Auckland 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
    Auckland $23

Typical Food prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $5.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland

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

  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $107

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $13
    Auckland $24

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

Typical Entertainment prices in Auckland

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)
    $36
  • Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)
    $131

Tours and Activities in Auckland

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

  • Auckland Self Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • Hīkoi To Britomart Māori Art Walking Tour: $17
  • Odyssey Sensory Maze Entrance Ticket: $18
  • Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $19
  • The Hunt for the Missing Monarch - An Auckland Adventure: $30
  • Clue Zealand - The Hunt for the Missing Monarch - An Auckland Adventure: $31
  • Escape Game Adventure: $34
  • Axe Throwing - 2 hour experience: $37
  • All Blacks Experience: Interactive Guided Tour: $37
  • Auckland City Self Guided Bike tour: $37
  • Auckland Welcome Tour: Private Tour with a Local: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $11
    Auckland $12
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 Auckland

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

  • Tour and Tastings in an Urban Craft Beer Brewery: $23
  • Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beach Tour incl Craft Beer Brewery Lunch & Tasting: $100
  • Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour: $125
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience on Waiheke Island: $131
  • Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $146
  • Waiheke Island: Afternoon Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch: $157
  • The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $157
  • Full-Day Waiheke Island Food and Wine Tour: $165
  • Matakana: Full-Day Food and Wine Tour: $169
  • The Afternoon Artisan Food and Wine Tour: $169
  • Auckland Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing, Harbour Cruise and Waiheke Island Wine Tasting: $171
  • Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $189

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Darwin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darwin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darwin and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Darwin.


When is the best time to visit Darwin or Auckland?

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 Auckland in the Summer?

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

Darwin is a little warmer than Auckland in the summer. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (83°F) in January, and Auckland stays around 20°C (68°F).

In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Auckland. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Auckland. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Auckland 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Auckland in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Darwin is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April are around 29°C (84°F), and Auckland is about 16°C (61°F).

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Auckland. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Auckland 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Auckland in the Winter?

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

In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Auckland. Temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Auckland stays around 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 Auckland. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Auckland. Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Auckland. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Darwin or Auckland in the Spring?

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

Darwin is much warmer than Auckland in the spring. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (85°F) in October, and Auckland stays around 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Auckland. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Auckland 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Auckland and Darwin

Darwin Auckland
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 11°C (52°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 14°C (58°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)


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Darwin vs. Auckland Travel Comparison

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