Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Durham or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or Toronto?
Durham
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $162Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, 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 Durham and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $92Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $184Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Durham and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Durham 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: Durham Hotel Prices and Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $33Toronto $32
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:
- 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 Durham or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Durham 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 dayDurham $44Toronto $65
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:
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durham $26Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Durham African American History Tour: $16
- Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
- True Crime Tour: $13
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: $3.65
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $34Toronto $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durham Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durham or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham or Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Durham is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Durham gets 259 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 Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Durham or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Toronto. Many visitors come to Durham in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Durham is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Durham usually receives more rain than Toronto. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Durham or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Toronto can be very cold. Durham can be very cold during winter. Durham is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In the winter, Durham often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Durham usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Durham or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Durham is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Toronto. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Durham
| Durham | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
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.