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

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Should you visit Darwin or Sydney?

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

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

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

Which city is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney is $250. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $54
    Sydney $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $108
    Sydney $170
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Sydney? 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 Sydney


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 Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $10
    Sydney $13
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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Sydney

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $14
  • Taxi to Airport
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Airport (YYZ) to City - Toronto Arrival Transfer: $5.00
  • Shuttle Transfer from Circular Quay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $13
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City to Sydney Airport: $13
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $18
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Sydney to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD): $29
  • Sydney Private Chauffeured Airport Transfer: $36
  • Sydney Airport (SYD) to Sydney hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Sydney Airport Private Car Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Sydney Airport Private Car Departure Transfer: $44
  • Sydney's Best Chauffeured Airport Transfers: $50
  • Sydney Private Airport Transfer: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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
    Sydney $39

Typical Food prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.84
  • Lunch Special
    $11
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $11
  • Meat Pies
    $3.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Retro Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $59
  • Dinner Christmas Party! Nov&Dec: $62
  • Vivid Dinner Cruise Sydney Harbour: $63
  • Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $67
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3 or 6-Course Menu: $71
  • Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise with live Brazilian show on Sydney Harbour: $78
  • Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise: $78
  • Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $79
  • Australia Day Dinner and Fireworks Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $103
  • Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Premium Dinner: $123
  • Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise: $126
  • Sydney Harbour Gold Penfolds Dinner Cruise: $197

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $13
    Sydney $27

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

Typical Entertainment prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $32
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $33
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $135
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $11

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chinese Garden General Admission Ticket: $6.32
  • MultiDay Tour - Test for Booking.com: $6.90
  • Standard Tour 3 - Test for Booking.com: $6.90
  • Sydney Jewish Museum General Entry Ticket: $12
  • Sydney Opera House Guided Digital Tour: $14
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $18
  • Sydney Tower Eye Ticket: $20
  • Australian National Maritime Museum Entry Ticket - See it All: $20
  • Sydney Sightseeing Bus Tour with Bondi Beach: $22
  • Cake and pastry walking tour - Sydney: $24
  • Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Museum Walking Tour: $24
  • True Crime Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $11
    Sydney $13
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

Typical Alcohol prices in Sydney

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


  • Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

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

  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $61
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $123
  • Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $130
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $138
  • Hunter Valley Small Group Luxury Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $138
  • Sip n Savour: Southern Highlands Premium Wine Tour from Sydney: $154
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $157
  • Wine Tours Sydney - Southern Highlands Day Escape, Full Day Wine Tasting Tour: $217
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Small Group: Cheese, Choc, Lunch, from Sydney+Hunter: $217
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney | Private Sydney Wine Tour: $356
  • Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney: $387

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Darwin or Sydney?

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 Sydney in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Sydney.

In the summer, Darwin is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Darwin in January are around 29°C (83°F), and Sydney is about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Darwin usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Darwin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Darwin usually receives more rain than Sydney. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Sydney 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Sydney.

In April, Darwin is generally much warmer than Sydney. Temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (84°F), and Sydney stays around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the autumn, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Sydney. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Darwin usually gets less rain in April than Sydney. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Sydney 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Darwin is much warmer than Sydney in the winter. The temperature in Darwin is usually 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sydney stays around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during winter. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Darwin usually receives less rain than Sydney. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Sydney 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Darwin during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Darwin is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Darwin in October are around 29°C (85°F), and Sydney is about 18°C (64°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Darwin. In the spring, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Sydney. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sydney. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Sydney and Darwin

Darwin Sydney
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)


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Darwin vs. Sydney Travel Comparison

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