Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Toronto 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.
Beijing is a historic, massive, and jam-packed city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Beijing travel costs.
Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.
You'll generally find more things to do in Beijing than Toronto. Beijing is bigger than Toronto, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Beijing is better known for its food and impressive beauty, while Toronto is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Beijing is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or Toronto.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.
Travelers visit Toronto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.
Beijing is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.
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.
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
The nightlife in Toronto is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.
The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Toronto is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.
Beijing is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.
Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.
Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.
Toronto is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Toronto is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.
Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.
Toronto is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.
Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.
Beijing and Toronto are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.
Toronto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.
Toronto is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Toronto is a very popular city 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.
Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Visitors in Toronto can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Beijing. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.
Toronto is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.
Toronto is a very walkable destination. 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.
Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.
Both Beijing and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Toronto has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Toronto than Beijing. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Toronto than Beijing. 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.
Couples should spend more time in Toronto than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toronto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Beijing 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 Toronto.
Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Toronto, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Because Beijing 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
In Toronto, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. In Toronto, you'll find museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $90, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $246. 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 Beijing and Toronto in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Toronto? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Beijing 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Toronto is in North America, 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto than you might in Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Toronto. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Toronto. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.
In the summer, Beijing is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Toronto averages at about 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 Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Toronto and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Toronto. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Toronto and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. Beijing is a little warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Toronto. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Toronto. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Beijing | Toronto | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |