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

Should you visit Cairns or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Cairns or Toronto? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cairns

Cairns is a idyllic, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Cairns travel costs.

Toronto

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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Cairns and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cairns or Toronto?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities. Cairns is more touristy than Toronto and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. Also, Cairns is famous for the Great Barrier Reef. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Cairns different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is terrific for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Toronto has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Cairns and Toronto.

Cairns has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Cairns or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Both Cairns and Toronto have terrific vibes after the sun sets.

Cairns is a must-see party destination. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 Cairns or Toronto Better for Resorts?

Cairns is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto is not a resort destination.

In Cairns, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Cairns or Toronto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cairns is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cairns or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Cairns is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Cairns or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Cairns is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cairns or Toronto?

Toronto is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Toronto specifically to go shopping. 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.

Cairns is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Cairns or Toronto Better for Families?

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

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

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 Cairns or Toronto Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cairns and Toronto make for a excellent place to visit.

Cairns makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

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.

Is Cairns or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Cairns. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

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 Cairns or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Cairns is not popular with students.

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.

Cairns is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Toronto can take you anywhere. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Cairns or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in 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.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Cairns?

How long in Cairns or Toronto?

Both Cairns 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 Cairns. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Cairns, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns 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 Cairns.

One day in Cairns or Toronto?

In Cairns, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cairns or Toronto?

In Cairns, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Cairns or Toronto?

Cairns is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cairns 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 Cairns or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Cairns. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairns and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairns is in Pacific 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 Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns 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 Cairns.

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

Which is Bigger, Cairns or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Cairns 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 Cairns or Toronto?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Toronto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Cairns or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Cairns are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cairns is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairns in January average around 29°C (84°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. In January, Cairns usually receives more rain than Torontoin July. Cairns gets 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Should I visit Cairns or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Cairns during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Cairns is generally much warmer than Torontoin October. Daily temperatures in Cairns average around 27°C (80°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. Cairns usually gets more rain in April than Torontoin October. Cairns gets 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.

Should I visit Cairns or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairns and Toronto. The winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. Cairns is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairns averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F)in January.

In July, Cairns usually receives less rain than Torontoin January. Cairns gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cairns or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cairns as well as Toronto. The beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Cairns is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairns in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.

Cairns usually gets less rain in October than Torontoin April. Cairns gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Cairns