Which place is cheaper, Darwin or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Harbin or Darwin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Harbin and Darwin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Darwin?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
-
Harbin Prices
China PricesDarwin Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Darwin $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Darwin is $139. 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 Harbin and Darwin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Darwin $62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Darwin $124
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Darwin
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Darwin? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Darwin $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
-
Shuttle to Train Station$9.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $87
- DRW Airport to Darwin City Centre Private Transfer: $47
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Darwin?
Prices for flights to both Darwin and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $24Darwin $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
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: $72
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $96
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $104
- Cape Adieu Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner: $112
- Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $112
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $113
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $113
- Waterfront Seafood Dinner with Wine for Two: $132
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Darwin $15
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $151
- 1 Day Litchfield Waterfalls Tour: $107
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $37
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $40
- Arnhem Land Yingana Injalak Hill Full Day Tour from Darwin: $232
- Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours: $91
- Bombing of Darwin World War II Tour with Harbour Cruise: $100
- Corroboree Billabong 2.5 hour Lunch Cruise: $77
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- Darwin City Explorer Tour: $111
- Darwin City Tour + Crocodile Cruise+Lunch Optional: $84
- Darwin Combo: The Bombing of Darwin Experience & Darwin Harbour Cruise: $57
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Darwin $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
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$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Harbin is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Darwin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Darwin, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Harbin or Darwin?
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 Harbin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Harbin or Darwin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Darwin. Additionally, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Harbin is cooler than Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Darwin. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Darwin 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Darwin in the Autumn?
Both Darwin and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Darwinin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Darwin 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Darwin in the Winter?
Both Darwin and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Harbin usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Darwin 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Darwin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Darwin. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches.
Harbin is much colder than Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.
In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Darwinin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Darwin 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Darwin and Harbin
| Harbin | Darwin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 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.