A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Toronto for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Reykjavik or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Reykjavik and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Reykjavik different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto and Reykjavik. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reykjavik or Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Toronto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Reykjavik or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toronto is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Toronto. 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Families?

Reykjavik and Toronto are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Couples?

Reykjavik and Toronto are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Toronto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Reykjavik or Toronto a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Toronto are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Toronto?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

Families should spend more time in Toronto than Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik 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.

One day in Reykjavik or Toronto?

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Toronto?

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Toronto?

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Reykjavik or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Toronto, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Toronto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe 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 Toronto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toronto 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Toronto.

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or Toronto?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Reykjavik is much colder than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Toronto. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during summer. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Reykjavik during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Toronto. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during winter. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Reykjavik is much colder than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Reykjavik