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

Should you visit Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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: Pasadena or Toronto?

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Pasadena?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pasadena is $62, 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 Pasadena and Toronto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pasadena $25
    Toronto $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pasadena $50
    Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Pasadena and Toronto

Looking for a hotel in Pasadena 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 Pasadena


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: Pasadena Hotel Prices and Toronto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pasadena $21
    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 Pasadena or Toronto?

Prices for flights to both Toronto and Pasadena 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
    Pasadena $19
    Toronto $65
Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

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.
    Pasadena -
    Toronto $31

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

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

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


Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Toronto?

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

Both Toronto and Pasadena during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Pasadena is around the same temperature as Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C) 
    Toronto 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Toronto. The autumn months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the shopping scene.

In October, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Toronto. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C) 
    Toronto 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Toronto. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. Pasadena is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Pasadena usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C) 
    Toronto -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Pasadena is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In April, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Toronto. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C) 
    Toronto 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Toronto and Pasadena

Pasadena Toronto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) -4°C (25°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) -4°C (26°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 1°C (34°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 12°C (54°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 21°C (70°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 21°C (69°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) -1°C (30°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)