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

Should you visit Osaka or Darwin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Darwin, 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.

Osaka

Osaka is a high energy, colorful, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Osaka 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.

Osaka and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Osaka or Darwin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Osaka than Darwin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Osaka is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Darwin is known for its beaches and hiking. Osaka is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its diverse street food, eclectic shopping and its economic roots as a port city. It is also home to Osaka Castle. Darwin is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Osaka different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Osaka or Darwin?

Osaka 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 Osaka are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with impressive sights that are both old and new. A highlight is a visit to Osaka Castle, which dates back to the 1500s. The city's most well known temple is Shitennō-ji Temple and the Kobe Port Tower is another recognizable sight. Other highlights include the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and the National Museum of Art.

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 Osaka or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Osaka 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, Osaka is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's one of the top culinary cities in Japan, and you'll find both local and regional dishes throughout. Street food is famous here, but there are also award winning restaurants and small traditional venues. Sushi and sashimi is a favorite, and it's focused simple and high quality ingredients. You'll find some great sushi restaurants around Kuromon Ichiba Market. Another unique experience is to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Land lovers should try the Yakiniku and Horumon, which is Japanese barbecue. And, of course, there's the ramen. Don't miss the ramen!

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 Osaka or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

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

Osaka is a must-see party destination. The city really comes to life after the sun sets. The buildings light up and the energy is palpable. In addition to the many world class restaurants, there are countless bars, pubs and izakaya, which are Japanese-style bars. Beer is popular, with many internationally recognized brands available. The most popular nightlife area is Dotonbori, which is along the Dotonbori River.

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 Osaka or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Osaka is not a beach destination.

Darwin has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Osaka is not a beach destination.

Is Osaka or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Osaka is notable for its old town. However, Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Osaka to see the historical old town. If you want to step back in time, head to Shinsekai, which holds tight to its traditional street life scene. There are old-school arcades, traditional shops, and local street food to sample.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Osaka or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Osaka 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.

Osaka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Osaka or Darwin?

Osaka 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 Osaka make it a world-class shopping destination. There is everything from grand shopping malls to specialty boutique shops that sell antiques or local trinkets. Umeda Shopping Arcade is a large mall that has everything. For international brands, head to America Mura, which is where many of the younger Japanese hang out. Shinsaibashi-Suji Street is a favorite shopping street in the city and also not-to-be-missed.

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

Is Osaka or Darwin Better for Families?

Osaka and Darwin are both superb destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Osaka. Kids will enjoy the view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky Building or taking a ride on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel. There is also the Kids Plaza Osaka as well as arcades along Tenjinbashi suji Shopping Street. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Osaka Castle and museum lovers will also appreciate visiting the Osaka Science Museum or the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

Darwin is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Osaka or Darwin Better for Couples?

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

Osaka is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's atmosphere is filled with an energy that couples will enjoy. You can take a walk along the Tombori Riverwalk. For a touch of nature, head to Minoh Park and check out Minoh Falls, or for a relaxing experience, visit the hot springs at Solaniwa Onsen. Other fun activities include taking a ride on the Hep Five Ferris wheel or sampling the city's famous street food.

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 Osaka or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Osaka is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels around town and street food is an affordable and fun way to enjoy the city's culinary scene.

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 Osaka or Darwin Better for Students?

Osaka is notable for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Osaka is a great city to visit as a student. There's a colorful energy and a lively atmosphere that appeals to students. The city is also the second largest economic center in the country.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Osaka 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 Osaka can take you anywhere. The best way to get around town is by subway or train. The main tourist areas are located along the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south.

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

Is Osaka or Darwin a more walkable city?

Osaka and Darwin are good when it comes to walkability.

Osaka is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Osaka?

How long in Osaka or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Osaka and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Osaka than in Darwin. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Osaka, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Osaka 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 Osaka.

One day in Osaka or Darwin?

Osaka is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Darwin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Osaka or Darwin?

Osaka 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Osaka or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Osaka. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Darwin is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Osaka or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Osaka. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Osaka or Darwin?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Osaka or Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Darwin. The summer months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In July, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In the summer, Osaka often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Darwinin January. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Osaka receives a lot of rain in the summer. Osaka usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Osaka this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Osaka is much colder than Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Osaka. In October, Osaka usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Osaka or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Osaka during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Osaka is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Osaka usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Darwin. Many visitors come to Osaka in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches during these months.

In April, Osaka is generally much colder than Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Osaka