A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Darwin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a historic, modern, and welcoming city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kuala Lumpur and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Darwin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Darwin attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also well known for The Petronas Twin Towers. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kuala Lumpur are among the most recognizable in the world. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

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.

Is the Food Better in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kuala Lumpur is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Kuala Lumpur has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a good destination for its beaches. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Darwin offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Kuala Lumpur make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Darwin are great family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Couples?

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

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for couples. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Darwin is a good city 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 Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur is notable for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its public transit. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Kuala Lumpur can take you anywhere. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Darwin a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable city. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kuala Lumpur and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than in Darwin. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Darwin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kuala Lumpur that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Darwin 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 Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Darwin, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this tropical town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Darwin is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the multicultural destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming big city of Kuala Lumpur. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Darwin is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Darwin?

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

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Darwin. Kuala Lumpur 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 the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Darwinin January. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Darwin in the Autumn?

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

In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur 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.

Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Darwin in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Kuala Lumpur