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

Should you visit Darwin or Yakushima?

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

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

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.

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Darwin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $117, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $125. 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 Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $65
    Yakushima $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $130
    Yakushima $126
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima


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 Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $12
    Yakushima $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin

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


  • Shuttle to Train Station
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:

  • Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $60
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $60
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $60
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $60
  • Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
  • Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $96
  • From Darwin Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Darwin city: $120
  • Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $145

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $39
    Yakushima $30

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: $74
  • Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $92
  • Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $101
  • Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $102
  • Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $103
  • Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $105
  • Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $16
    Yakushima $22

Tours and Activities in Darwin

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

  • Darwin Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $27
  • Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $32
  • Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $32
  • Darwin Harbour Sightseeing Cruise: $34
  • 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $34
  • Jumping Crocodile Experience: $38
  • Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour: $41
  • 1-Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $44
  • Discover Darwin Harbour: Darwin Harbour Afternoon Cruise: $44
  • Pathfinder Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $44
  • Discover Darwin Harbour 1 hour Darwin Harbour Cruise: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $13
    Yakushima $6.87
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
    $16
  • Glass of Wine
    $4.79


When comparing the travel costs between Darwin and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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. Even though Darwin is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darwin Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Darwin or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Darwin is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yakushima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Darwin or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Darwin is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (83°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Darwin. In January, Darwin usually receives more rain than Yakushimain July. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Darwin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Darwin is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F)in October.

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Darwin usually gets less rain in April than Yakushimain October. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Yakushima. The winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Yakushimain January. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Darwin usually receives less rain than Yakushimain January. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Yakushima. The beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

Darwin is much warmer than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (85°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Darwin usually gets less rain in October than Yakushimain April. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Darwin

Darwin Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)