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

Should you visit Boston or Toronto?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Toronto. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boston or Toronto?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boston than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is more popular for its theatre productions, music, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Toronto is known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Boston is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Boston different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Boston and Toronto have fantastic landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

The museums and tourist attractions in Toronto are world-renowned. 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.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Theater?

Boston is a very popular place for theatre. However, Toronto is not a theatre destination.

Boston attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Toronto is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Boston and Toronto can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

Boston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Music?

Boston is a city with good options for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Boston is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Boston is terrific for its historic old town. However, Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Boston or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Christmas?

Boston is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Toronto does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Toronto does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a very popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Toronto does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Toronto does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Families?

Boston is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is notable for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Boston or Toronto Better for Students?

Boston and Toronto are both fantastic destinations for students and younger travelers.

Boston is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Many students frequent Toronto. 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.

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

Both Boston and Toronto offer fantastic public transit options.

Visitors in Boston can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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 Boston or Toronto a more walkable city?

Boston 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 Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are 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 Boston Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Boston?

How long in Boston or Toronto?

Both Boston and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Boston. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boston, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

Couples should spend more time in Boston than Toronto. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Boston or Toronto?

Because Boston 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Toronto. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Boston or Toronto?

Because Boston 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Toronto is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Boston or Toronto?

Boston 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 Boston has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Boston or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boston. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Boston. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Toronto. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Toronto, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Toronto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toronto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toronto 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Toronto.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boston or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Boston during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Boston is around the same temperature as Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boston. In the summer, Boston often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boston or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Toronto. The autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In the autumn, Boston is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Boston usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Boston usually receives more rain than Toronto. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Boston or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Boston as well as Toronto. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. In January, Boston is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Boston often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boston or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

Boston is a little warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. Boston usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Boston usually receives more rain than Toronto. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Boston