A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Toronto for Attractions, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Amsterdam or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Toronto, 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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Amsterdam and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is very popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Toronto attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Amsterdam different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toronto is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Amsterdam and Toronto.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Toronto is a world class party destination. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Music?

Amsterdam is terrific for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is known as a music capital around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Toronto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Toronto are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Toronto is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Amsterdam and Toronto.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Toronto has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Amsterdam or Toronto a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is terrific for its walkability. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Both Amsterdam and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Toronto 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Toronto. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant big city of Toronto. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Toronto?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant city of Toronto. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Toronto is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Amsterdam is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Toronto, 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 Amsterdam or Toronto?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Toronto. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Toronto. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

In April, Amsterdam is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Toronto. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Amsterdam