A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Duck vs. Toronto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Duck 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.

Where Should I go: Duck or Toronto?

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Duck?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, 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 Duck and Toronto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Toronto $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Duck and Toronto

Looking for a hotel in Duck 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.

Hotels in Duck


Hotels in Toronto


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Toronto $32

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:


  • Airport Shuttle
    $26
  • Train: 2 Day Passes
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto

Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.65
  • Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.03
  • One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
  • Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $41
  • Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ: $41
  • Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels: $42
  • Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
  • Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
  • Private Arrival Transfer - YYZ Airport to Toronto Downton Hotel & Accommodations: $73
  • Niagara Falls Guided 9 Hour Day Trip with Round-trip Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Oakville City Ontario: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Toronto?

Prices for flights to both Toronto and Duck 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Duck $45
    Toronto $65

Typical Food Prices in Toronto

For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two
    $23
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Toronto $31

Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Art Gallery of Ontario for Two
    $15
  • CN Tower at night for Two
    $36
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise
    $26
  • 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: $3.65
  • Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.28
  • Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
  • Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.12
  • Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.21
  • Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
  • Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
  • Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour: $8.02
  • Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
  • Uncover Quebec's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    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 comparing the travel costs between Duck 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 Duck Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8210 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Duck during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Duck in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Duck is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 78°F (26°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 Duck. In the summer, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Toronto 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Duck or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Toronto. Most visitors come to Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Duck is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Duck usually receives more rain than Toronto. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Toronto 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Duck or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Duck as well as Toronto. The winter months attract visitors to Duck because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. The weather in Duck can be very cold. In January, Duck is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 41°F (5°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Duck often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the winter. Duck usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Toronto -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Duck or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Duck this time of year.

Duck is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Duck usually receives more rain than Toronto. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Toronto 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Toronto and Duck

Duck Toronto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) -4°C (25°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) -4°C (26°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 1°C (34°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 12°C (54°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 21°C (70°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 21°C (69°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) -1°C (30°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)