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

Should you visit Saint John 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 Saint John 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: Saint John or Toronto?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Saint John?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
    Toronto Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint John $233
    Toronto $249

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $233, 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 Saint John and Toronto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John $106
    Toronto $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John $212
    Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Toronto

Looking for a hotel in Saint John 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 Saint John


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.
    Saint John $49
    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:

  • Private Transfer:- Toronto Pearson Airport to Waterloo Black Car Service: $92
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Car: $185
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $172
  • Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $166
  • Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $72
  • Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ by Luxury SUV: $190
  • Low cost Transfer: Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls (Lake): $657
  • Niagara Falls private transfers : $275
  • Niagara Falls: Private Transfer to/from Toronto Airport: $700
  • One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport: $67
  • Personalized Toronto Airport Transfer Service: $125
  • Private Arrival Transfer-Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Niagara Falls: $227

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Toronto?

Prices for flights to both Toronto and Saint John 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
    Saint John $97
    Toronto $112

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:

  • Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
  • Kensington Market By The Sidewalk Food Tour: $52
  • Great White North Food Tour: $54
  • Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
  • Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $61
  • Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
  • St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
  • Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $72
  • Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
  • St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $78
  • Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower: $79
  • French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John $23
    Toronto $31

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

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: $3.58
  • City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
  • Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.40
  • Queen Street West: An audio tour exploring Toronto's coolest street: $8.99
  • 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 Admission Ticket: $11
  • Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $11
  • The Reel Toronto Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $15
  • Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
  • The Reel Toronto GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John $44
    Toronto $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:

  • Take On Toronto Bar Crawl: $15
  • Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
  • Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $21
  • Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
  • 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: $42
  • Pub Crawl Toronto: $43
  • Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
  • Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John 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. Even though Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Toronto is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Saint John or Toronto?

Toronto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Toronto. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint John is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Saint John usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Toronto. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John 29°C (83°F) 
    Toronto 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint John is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Toronto. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John 28°C (82°F) 
    Toronto 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Saint John during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In January, Saint John is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 26°C (78°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John 26°C (78°F) 
    Toronto -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

Saint John is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Toronto. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John 27°C (80°F) 
    Toronto 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Toronto and Saint John

Saint John Toronto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) -4°C (25°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -4°C (26°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 21°C (69°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) -1°C (30°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)