A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Darwin for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Darwin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao is a secluded, remote, and beautiful island. The beauty of Koh Tarutao is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking. See Koh Tarutao travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Darwin travel costs.

Koh Tarutao and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Darwin. Although Koh Tarutao and Darwin are both popular with visitors, Darwin has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Darwin is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Darwin is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. It is also home to Mindil Beach. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Darwin and Koh Tarutao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Darwin is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Koh Tarutao offers a few options for museum-goers. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.

Is the Food Better in Koh Tarutao or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Darwin is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Darwin is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Resorts?

Koh Tarutao is not a good place to visit for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

There isn't the widest selection of resorts in Koh Tarutao, but you'll find a few options to choose from. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao is terrific for the beach. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Koh Tarutao are among the best in the world. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koh Tarutao and Darwin, and they are great.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Darwin is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin More Beautiful?

Koh Tarutao is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Darwin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Koh Tarutao is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Beautiful undeveloped beaches and stunning natural environments make this a truly unique destination.

Darwin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Darwin. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koh Tarutao. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Koh Tarutao is a very popular place to visit for couples. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.

Darwin is a good island for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tarutao and Darwin are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Darwin is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.

Is Koh Tarutao or Darwin a more walkable city?

Darwin is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

Koh Tarutao is generally not very walkable. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Tarutao Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Tarutao and Darwin. In our opinion, Darwin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Darwin than Koh Tarutao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Darwin than Koh Tarutao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Darwin, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Darwin than Koh Tarutao if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Darwin.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Koh Tarutao. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the multicultural town of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Koh Tarutao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tarutao. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The multicultural town of Darwin offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the beautiful destination of Koh Tarutao. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Koh Tarutao is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, 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 Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin?

Darwin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Darwin. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Darwin because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Koh Tarutao during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the winter, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.

Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Koh Tarutao