Which place is cheaper, Darwin or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Xiamen or Darwin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Darwin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Darwin?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Darwin $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, 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 Xiamen and Darwin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Darwin $62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Darwin $124
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Darwin
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Darwin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Darwin $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
-
Shuttle to Train Station$9.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Darwin?
Prices for flights to both Darwin and Xiamen 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.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayXiamen $26Darwin $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
- Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $71
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $85
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $90
- Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $96
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $112
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Darwin $15
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $139
- 1 Hour Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $26
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $30
- 4 Hour Self Guided Gourmet Lunch and Aboriginal Art Tours: $138
- 4-Hour Outback Gourmet Food & Aboriginal Art Tour: $164
- 4x4 Litchfield Park Adventures : $238
- Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours: $89
- Bombing of Darwin World War II Tour with Harbour Cruise: $98
- Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 1.5 hour Morning cruise: $50
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- Darwin City Explorer Tour: $102
- Darwin City Sightseeing Tour: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Darwin $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
-
Evening at a Bar$16
-
Glass of Wine$4.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xiamen 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 Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Darwin?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Xiamen or Darwin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Darwin. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Darwin. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Darwin 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Darwin in the Autumn?
Both Darwin and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.
Xiamen is cooler than Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.
In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Darwinin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Darwin 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Darwin in the Winter?
Both Darwin and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Xiamen is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.
Xiamen usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Darwin 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Darwin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Darwin. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Xiamen is generally cooler than Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Darwin 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Darwin and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Darwin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.