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

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Should you visit Darwin or Brisbane?

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

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

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.

Brisbane

Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Darwin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $110, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $129. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Darwin and Brisbane in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $61
    Brisbane $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $122
    Brisbane $160
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Brisbane

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Brisbane? 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 Brisbane


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 Brisbane Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $12
    Brisbane $17
Typical Local Transportation prices in Darwin

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


  • Shuttle to Train Station
    $9.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:

  • Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Crocodile Jumping Wetlands Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $88
  • Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
  • Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
  • Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $58

Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:


  • Airtrain to the City
    $9.65
  • Go Card
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane

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

  • Brisbane Departure Transfer Shuttle from Hotel to Brisbane Airport: $13
  • St Lucia Airport Transfer to St James's Club Morgan Bay: $17
  • Sunshine Coast Airport Arrival transfer to Hotels: $18
  • Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $21
  • Shared Transfer Service from Brisbane Airport: $21
  • Brisbane Arrival Transfer Shuttle from Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $21
  • Private Theme Park One-Way Transfer: $23
  • Movie World Theme Park from Brisbane Hotel One Way Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Port to Brisbane Airport (BNE): $32
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Hotels to Brisbane Cruise Port: $32
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Cruise Port to Brisbane: $32
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane Port: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Brisbane?

Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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 $37
    Brisbane $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.

  • Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $64
  • Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $84
  • Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $85
  • Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $101
  • Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $104
  • 3.5 Hour Small Group Walking Food & Art Tour with LUNCH or DINNER: $149

Typical Food prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:


  • Hamburger Lunch
    $5.14
  • Cup of Coffee
    $1.93
  • Chinese Food Lunch
    $8.04
  • Ice cream
    $3.54
  • Japanese Meal
    $13
  • Smoothie
    $4.18
  • Japanese Soup
    $7.39
  • Coffee & Muffin
    $4.50
  • Morning Mint Tea
    $2.25
  • Veggie Burger & Chips
    $9.00
  • Bread
    $1.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane

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

  • City Lights Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $70
  • City Lights Dinner Cruise in Brisbane with Dinner: $71
  • Guided Food Tour with Coffee, Seafood and Wine: $553
  • Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland: $561
  • Sunshine Coast Food Tour: $643
  • Regional Producers Food Tour: $653
  • Queensland Food Tour: Farm-to-Table Indulgence: $848

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $15
    Brisbane $23

Tours and Activities in Darwin

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

  • 3 Days Kakadu Cultural Rock Art Experience: $1,566
  • 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $127
  • 1 Day Litchfield National Park Tour & Berry Springs Max. 10 Guest: $114
  • 1 Hour Darwin Adventure Boats Tour: $124
  • 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $29
  • 17-Day Darwin to Cairns Tour: $3,896
  • 3-Day Kakadu & Litchfield 4WD Camping Adventure from Darwin: $527
  • 3-Day Tour of Top End Highlights in Northern Territory, Australia: $581
  • 3.5-Hour Gourmet Bar & Street Art Tour: $127
  • 4 Day Kakadu 4WD Adventure Tour from Darwin with Billabong Wetlands Cruise: $1,358
  • 4-Day Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Guided Tour From Darwin : $1,044
  • 45-Minute Darwin Harbor Sightseeing Cruise: $32

Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Concert Tickets
    $13

Tours and Activities in Brisbane

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.

  • Escape to Coochiemudlo Island: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.33
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Smartphone Tour: $11
  • Trevena Glen Farm Animal Experience: $13
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Brilliant Brisbane Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Camel Farm Tour and Taste: $16
  • Bloody Brisbane CBD Crime Tour - Crime Tours Australia | Jack Sim: $18
  • Boggo Road Gaol History Tour: $20
  • Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $22
  • True Crime Tour: $22
  • Vice City - Fortitude Valley's True Crime Tour: $22
  • Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $13
    Brisbane $50
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
    $15
  • Glass of Wine
    $4.50

Typical Alcohol prices in Brisbane

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:


  • Evening at the Bar
    $9.65
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.00
  • Guiness Beer
    $5.47
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $8.35

Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:

  • XXXX Brewery Tour: $21
  • Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $48
  • City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $49
  • River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $85
  • Brewery Tour Cruise - River To Bay: $86
  • Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $97
  • Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Brisbane: $98
  • Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $112
  • Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $117
  • Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $122
  • Brisbane Brewery Small-Group Tour with Lunch: $123
  • Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $127

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Darwin.

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Brisbane?

Brisbane is bigger, and its population is about 10.3 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the population of Darwin vs. Brisbane, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Darwin or Brisbane?

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 Brisbane in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Brisbane.

In the summer, Darwin is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Darwin in January average around 29°C (83°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Brisbane. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Darwin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Brisbane. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Brisbane 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In April, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Brisbane. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Brisbane. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Brisbane 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Brisbane in the Winter?

Both Brisbane and Darwin during the winter are popular places to visit.

Darwin is much warmer than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Darwin. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Brisbane. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Brisbane. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Brisbane 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Brisbane.

In the spring, Darwin is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Darwin in October average around 29°C (85°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Brisbane. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Brisbane 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Darwin

Darwin Brisbane
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 21°C (69°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 127 mm (5 in)


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.
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