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

Should you visit Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a trendy, modern, and cosmopolitan port 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 tropical, multicultural, and authentic town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Shanghai and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Darwin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Shanghai than Darwin. Shanghai is bigger than Darwin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Shanghai is better known for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Darwin is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Shanghai is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Shanghai different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Shanghai 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 Shanghai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

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 Shanghai or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Shanghai 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, Shanghai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

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 Shanghai or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Shanghai and Darwin.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

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 Shanghai or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a good destination for the beache. However, Shanghai 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.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Darwin?

Shanghai 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 Shanghai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

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

Is Shanghai or Darwin Better for Families?

Both Shanghai and Darwin are great family-friendly destinations.

Shanghai is a very kid-friendly port city. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

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.

Is Shanghai or Darwin Better for Couples?

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

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Darwin is a good port 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 Shanghai or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Darwin is a good port 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 Shanghai or Darwin Better for Students?

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

Shanghai is a great port city to visit as a student. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Shanghai is notable 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 public transit in Shanghai can get you around easily. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

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

Is Shanghai or Darwin a more walkable city?

Shanghai 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.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Darwin?

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

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

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

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

One day in Shanghai or Darwin?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Darwin offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Darwin?

Shanghai 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Darwin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. 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.

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Shanghai. This port 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 great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Shanghai and Darwin, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Darwin?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Shanghai or Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Shanghai is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Darwin because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Shanghai is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Darwinin April. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Darwin. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Darwin. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches.

Shanghai is much colder than Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Shanghai