Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Denver?
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 Denver or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Denver 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.
Denver
Denver is a park-filled, suburban, and accessible city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Denver travel costs.
Toronto
Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.
Denver and Toronto: Pros and Cons
Denver
Pros- Popular for skiing
- Good for hiking
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for food
- Less popular for nightlife
- Less popular for shopping
- Less popular with backpackers
- Less popular for students
- Public transit not as usable
- Less walkable
Toronto
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Popular for food and cuisine
- Active nightlife
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Denver or Toronto?
Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Denver. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Denver attracts visitors for its skiing and hiking. Toronto is more touristy than Denver and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower. Denver is famous for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.
How is Denver different from Toronto?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto and Denver. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Skiing?
Denver
Toronto
Denver is a city with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Toronto is not a skiing destination.
Denver is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.
Toronto is not a skiing destination.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Denver or Toronto?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.
While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.
Is the Food Better in Denver or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Toronto. 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.
Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Nightlife?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.
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.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Hiking?
Denver
Toronto
Denver is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.
Plenty of visitors go hiking around Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.
Toronto is not a hiking destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Denver or Toronto?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.
Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Families?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
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.
Denver is a family-friendly city. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Couples?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.
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.
Denver is a good city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.
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.
Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Students?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is renowned for students. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Toronto is a great destination for students. 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.
Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.
Is Denver or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is renowned for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.
Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.
Is Denver or Toronto a more walkable city?
Denver
Toronto
Toronto is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.
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.
Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Denver Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Toronto or Denver?
How long in Denver or Toronto?
Both Denver 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 Denver. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Denver, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.
Families should spend more time in Toronto than Denver. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toronto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Toronto than Denver. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toronto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Denver 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.
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How many days in Denver or Toronto? Ideal Length of StayDenver 2-3Toronto 3-7
One day in Denver or Toronto?
In Denver, you'll find shopping and skiing. 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 Denver or Toronto?
In Denver, you'll find skiing and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Denver has to offer.
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 Denver or Toronto?
Denver is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Denver or Toronto?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denver. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Denver. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Denver Prices
USA PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDenver $248Toronto $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Denver is $248, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $249. 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 Denver and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDenver $87Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDenver $174Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Denver and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Denver 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: Denver Hotel Prices and Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Denver $101Toronto $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $149
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $119
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport to Downtown Denver: $200
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $149
- Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Hot Ski Resorts: $65
- Private One-way Transfer from Denver Airport to Denver: $190
- Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $140
- Keystone resort to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $144
- Departure Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN by Business Car: $113
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $149
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $122
- Denver International Airport Private Transfer Pick up: $130
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:
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.72
- Private Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $39
- Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $41
- Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotel & Air B&B Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport (YYZ): $43
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto: $43
- Transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center: $53
- Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $53
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ: $59
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Richmond Hill Black Car Service: $60
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Toronto Pearson Airport: Transfer to/from Niagara Falls: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Denver or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Denver 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 dayDenver $73Toronto $112
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Epic Pad Thai Cooking Class in Denver: $55
- 16th Street Mall Food Tour with Local Guide: $69
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $85
- Denver Food Tour: 6+ Tastings in Historic Downtown: $99
- RiNo Evening Food Tour with a Local Guide: $99
- walking Secret Food Tour: $113
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike or E-Bike: $125
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:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
- Great White North Food Tour: $55
- Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $62
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $73
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $79
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $80
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Denver $52Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- $5 Capitol Hill History & Ghost Walking Tour: $5.00
- 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $30
- All-Inclusive Twilight Ghost Tour with a Boozy Twist: $55
- Best of Denver Bus Tour: Highlights, Views & Local Favorites: $39
- Best of Denver Walking Tour: $27
- Best of Denver Walking Tour: $27
- Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver: $139
- Capitol Hill Haunts: A Ghostly Walking Tour: $348
- Dark Side of Denver – RiNo’s True Crime and Murals Tour: $25
- Deep Dive into Small-Group Walking Tour: $39
- Denver After Dark Adults Only Walking Ghost Tour: $35
- Denver Art Museum General Admission Ticket: $27
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: $3.63
- Old Town Toronto Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.08
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.44
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.44
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.74
- Discover Toronto's Waterfront with a Smartphone Trivia Tour!: $8.12
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $8.99
- Toronto Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Toronto by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $12
- Evening Boat Tour of True Tales of Toronto Harbour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDenver $5.31Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Private Vintner's Wine Tasting Experience in Colorado: $40
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $40
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $40
- Vintner's Personalized Wine Tasting Experience: $60
- Wild West Pub Crawl: $61
- Buds & Brews Cannabis Grow Tour and Brewery Visit: $67
- E-Bike & Brews: Denver's Platte River & Brewery E-Bike Tour: $125
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $21
- Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $26
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $28
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $42
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $45
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
When comparing the travel costs between Denver 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 Denver Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Denver or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Denver 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.