Which place is cheaper, Darwin or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Tokyo or Darwin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tokyo is a iconic, eclectic, and cutting edge 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.
Darwin is a local, tropical, and multicultural town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Darwin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Darwin is known for its beaches and hiking. Tokyo is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple. Darwin is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Darwin and Tokyo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Tokyo 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 Tokyo are among the most recognizable in the world. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.
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.
Tokyo 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, Tokyo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.
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.
Tokyo 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.
Tokyo is a must-see party destination. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
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.
Tokyo is terrific for its live music scene. However, Darwin is not a live music destination.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Tokyo The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.
Darwin is not a live music destination.
Darwin is a popular place for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.
Darwin is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.
Tokyo is not a beach destination.
Darwin is great for hiking. However, Tokyo is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Darwin for the hiking trails. 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.
Tokyo is not a hiking destination.
Tokyo 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 Tokyo make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.
Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.
Tokyo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Tokyo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.
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.
Tokyo is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.
Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for couples. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.
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.
For backpackers, both Tokyo and Darwin are good places to visit.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Tokyo. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.
Darwin is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.
Tokyo is terrific for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.
Tokyo is a great destination for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.
Darwin is not popular with students.
Tokyo 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 Tokyo can take you anywhere. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.
Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.
Tokyo is terrific 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.
It is easy to get around Tokyo on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.
Darwin is a somewhat walkable city. There are biking and walking paths around town.
For even more information, also check out Is Tokyo Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tokyo and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Darwin. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.
Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Darwin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tokyo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Tokyo than Darwin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tokyo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tokyo 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 Tokyo.
Tokyo 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.
In Darwin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local 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.
Tokyo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. 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 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.
Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find food and shopping around the multicultural 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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, while the average daily cost in Darwin is $111. 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 Tokyo and Darwin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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.
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
Prices for flights to both Darwin and Tokyo 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Darwin, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Darwin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo 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 Darwin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darwin 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Darwin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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.
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 Tokyo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Both Darwin and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tokyo is generally cooler than Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Darwinin January. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.
Darwin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Darwin. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Tokyo is much colder than Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Darwin. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tokyo is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the winter, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.
Tokyo usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Darwin and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.
In April, Tokyo is generally much colder than Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in Darwin. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Tokyo | Darwin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |