Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Berkeley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkeley or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley 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.
Where Should I go: Berkeley or Toronto?
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkeley $190Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $190, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $203. 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 Berkeley and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkeley $131Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkeley $262Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Berkeley 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Berkeley Hotel Prices and Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkeley $30Toronto $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:
- Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
- Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
- Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK: $81
- Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $63
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Private Arrival Transfer: $44
- Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV: $232
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$26
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.65
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.03
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $41
- Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ: $41
- Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels: $42
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer - YYZ Airport to Toronto Downton Hotel & Accommodations: $73
- Niagara Falls Guided 9 Hour Day Trip with Round-trip Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Oakville City Ontario: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Berkeley 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
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Food Meals for one dayBerkeley $36Toronto $65
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
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Chocolates at Sweet Dreams$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
- North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
- Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
- Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $130
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $72
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $151
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkeley $30Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Berkeley
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
- Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
- Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
- Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
- Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $14
- Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $120
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.65
- Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.28
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.12
- Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.21
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour: $8.02
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Uncover Quebec's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkeley $13Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:
- Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
- Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.01
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Craft Brewery Tour: $75
- From Niagara Wine Tours: $111
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $128
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
When comparing the travel costs between Berkeley 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkeley Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley or Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto and Berkeley during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.
In the summer, Berkeley is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkeley in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
Berkeley usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Toronto. Many travelers come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Berkeley is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In October, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Toronto. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Toronto can be very cold during winter. Berkeley is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
Berkeley usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkeley 50°F (10°C)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Berkeley is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkeley in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In April, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Toronto. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkeley 58°F (14°C)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Berkeley
| Berkeley | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.