Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chengdu 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 Chengdu 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.
Where Should I go: Chengdu or Toronto?
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
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 China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Chengdu Prices
China PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $71Toronto $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $71, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $243. 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 Chengdu and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $22Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $44Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu 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.Chengdu $6.35Toronto $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
- Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
- Private Chengdu Tianfu Airport Transfer with English Support: $89
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
- Hotels to Chengdu Tianfu or Shuangliu Airports private transfer: $33
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:
- Airport Transfer Toronto to Niagara region: $289
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Car: $181
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Luxury SUV: $209
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $162
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ by Luxury SUV: $185
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Sedan Car: $162
- Hamilton to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Highlights of Toronto city tour with private transfers: $253
- Low Cost :- Private Transfer Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls Ont: $256
- Low Cost:-Private Transfer: Niagara Falls Canada to Toronto Pearson Airport: $208
- Low cost Transfer: Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls (Lake): $657
- Niagara Falls: Private Transfer to/from Toronto Airport: $700
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Chengdu 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 dayChengdu $40Toronto $107
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour: $80
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$22
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
- Great White North Food Tour: $54
- Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $59
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $61
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $64
- Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $72
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $72
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $78
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $79
- The Great Canadian Food Tour - Distillery + St. Lawrence Market: $83
- Toronto's International Food Tour - Kensington Market: $86
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Toronto $30
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Panda Breeding Center Plus Chengdu City Tour: $175
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Research Base and Sanxingdui Archeological Museum Tour: $256
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch from Chengdu: $229
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $236
- 1-Day Panda Base and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $234
- 1-Day Private tour:Dazu Rock Carvings and Ciqikou Ancient Village from Chongqing: $285
- 1-Day Self-Guided Dujiangyan Tour: Panda Volunteer Program and Mount Qingcheng: $150
- 1-Day Self-Guided Leshan Giant Buddha Tour from Chengdu: $154
- 1-day Tour of Chengdu Panda and Sanxingdui Museum: $286
- 2 Days Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt.Emei Group Tour: $188
- 2-Day Chengdu & Mount Qingcheng Heritage Tour: $511
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$35
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$25
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.07
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.58
- City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
- Old Town Toronto Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based: $5.00
- Toronto Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tours: $8.16
- Queen Street West: An audio tour exploring Toronto's coolest street: $8.99
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $8.99
- Old Toronto Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Kensington Market and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.21Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $8.15
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $20
- Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $28
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $58
- Distillery District Beer and Cheese Tasting Tour: $68
- Craft Brewery Tour: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chengdu 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 Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chengdu Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu 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.
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.