Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Sur or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Big Sur or Toronto?
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours 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 dayBig Sur $0.00Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, 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 Big Sur and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Sur $165Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Sur $330Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur 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: Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Sur -Toronto $32
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:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $293
- Round-Trip Transfer Between Billy Bishop Toronto (YTZ) Airport and Niagara Falls: $267
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara: $238
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto: $223
- Private Arrival Transfer. Pearson Airport to Kitchener/Waterloo : $215
- Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Pearson Airport : $208
- Private Transfer:Toronto Airport or Collingwood - Blue Mountain Resort One way: $202
- Private Transfer: Pearson Int’l Airport (YYZ) to Niagara Falls, ON: $197
- Toronto Pearson Airport arrival transfer (Airport to any Hotel or Address): $197
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada: $178
- Toronto Airport Private Transfer to Downtown : $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Big Sur 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 dayBig Sur -Toronto $65
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.Big Sur -Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
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:
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $186
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $200
- 2 Hour Toronto City Tour: $48
- 3-day Eastern Canada Tour from Toronto: $259
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $111
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $34
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $139
- Best of Niagara Falls Tour with Optional Boat and Helicopter Ride: $66
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise: $140
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Bus to Grotto - Tobermory Flowerpot Island Cruise Bruce Peninsula: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Sur -Toronto $22
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Sur Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Toronto?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Sur or Toronto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Toronto. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Big Sur is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Toronto. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Sur 63°F (17°C)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Big Sur is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Toronto. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Sur 62°F (17°C)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Toronto in the Winter?
Both Toronto and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Toronto can be very cold. Big Sur is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In January, Big Sur usually receives more rain than Toronto. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Sur 51°F (11°C)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Big Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Big Sur is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Sur 56°F (13°C)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Big Sur
| Big Sur | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.