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

Pacific / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Darwin or Katoomba?

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

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

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

Which city is cheaper, Katoomba 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 Katoomba is $117. 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 Katoomba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $54
    Katoomba $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $108
    Katoomba $136
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Katoomba

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba


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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $10
    Katoomba $43
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:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Katoomba?

Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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
    Katoomba $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $13
    Katoomba $47

Tours and Activities in Darwin

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

  • Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility: Two Iconic Territory Stories: $20
  • Royal Flying Doctors Service Entry Ticket: $20
  • Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $30
  • Harbor Highlights Cruise: $32
  • 2.5-Hour Harbour Sunset Cruise: $46
  • Discover the City of Half-Day City Coach Tour: $51
  • Darwin City Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Cruise: $52
  • Bombing of Darwin WW2 Tour with Harbor Cruise: $93
  • Jumping Crocs & Nature Adventure Cruise from Darwin: $94
  • Darwin City tour - Darwin City and Lifestyle tour: $100
  • Bombing of Darwin World War II Tour with Harbour Cruise: $100
  • Litchfield Park Tour & Jumping Crocodile Cruise from Darwin: $126

Tours and Activities in Katoomba

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

  • Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $35
  • Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
  • Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour: $67
  • Small-Group Half-Day Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $99
  • Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
  • Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
  • Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $119
  • Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
  • Small-Group Full-Day Canyoning and Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $174
  • Small-Group Full-Day Rock Climbing Adventure from Katoomba: $174
  • From Sydney: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour Picnic & Hike: $181
  • Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $184

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $11
    Katoomba -
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

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Darwin or Katoomba?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Darwin or Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In January, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Katoomba. Temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (83°F), and Katoomba stays around 24°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. Darwin usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during summer. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Darwin. In January, Darwin usually receives more rain than Katoomba. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Katoomba 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Darwin during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Darwin is much warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (84°F) in April, and Katoomba stays around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. In the autumn, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Katoomba. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Katoomba. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Katoomba.

In the winter, Darwin is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Darwin in July are around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba is about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during winter. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Darwin usually receives less rain than Katoomba. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Katoomba 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Katoomba.

In October, Darwin is generally much warmer than Katoomba. Temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (85°F), and Katoomba stays around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the spring, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Katoomba. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets more rain in October than Katoomba. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Darwin

Darwin Katoomba
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Darwin
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Katoomba
Perth vs. Darwin
Perth vs. Katoomba
Darwin vs. Alice Springs
Darwin vs. Adelaide
Darwin vs. Torquay
Darwin vs. Sydney
Darwin vs. Surfers Paradise
Darwin vs. Rockhampton
Darwin vs. Noosa Heads
Darwin vs. Newcastle
Darwin vs. Melbourne
Darwin vs. Hobart
Darwin vs. Gold Coast
Darwin vs. Fraser Island
Darwin vs. Coffs Harbour
Darwin vs. Wollongong
Darwin vs. Canberra
Darwin vs. Cairns
Darwin vs. Byron Bay
Darwin vs. Brisbane
Darwin vs. Airlie Beach
Darwin vs. Whitsundays
Alice Springs vs. Katoomba
Adelaide vs. Katoomba
Torquay vs. Katoomba
Sydney vs. Katoomba
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Darwin vs. Katoomba Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.