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

Should you visit Seattle or Toronto?

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

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

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and beaches. See Seattle travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Seattle and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Seattle or Toronto?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is better known for its theatre productions, music, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Seattle different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Toronto on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for theatre. However, Toronto is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Toronto is not a theatre destination.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Seattle and Toronto.

Dining out in Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Music?

Seattle is a very popular place for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Seattle while you're in town. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Seattle or Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Toronto is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Seattle or Toronto More Beautiful?

Seattle is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Toronto is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toronto is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Seattle or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Toronto is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Seattle or Toronto a more walkable city?

Seattle and Toronto both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

Toronto is very walkable. 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 Seattle Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Seattle?

How long in Seattle or Toronto?

Both Seattle 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 Seattle. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Seattle, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

Families should spend more time in Toronto than Seattle. 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle or Toronto?

Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Toronto, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Seattle or Toronto?

Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Seattle has to offer.

In Toronto, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Seattle or Toronto?

Seattle is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Seattle or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Seattle. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. In Toronto, you'll find museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Seattle or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Seattle during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Seattle is around the same temperature as Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Seattle in July average around 67°F (19°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 Seattle. In the summer, Seattle often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Seattle gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Seattle usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Seattle gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Seattle or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Seattle and Toronto. Many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music 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.

In October, Seattle is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Seattle average around 54°F (12°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Seattle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto during autumn. Seattle gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Seattle usually receives more rain than Toronto. Seattle gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Seattle or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Seattle as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Seattle is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Seattle averages around 42°F (5°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Seattle often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Seattle gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. Seattle usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Seattle gets 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Seattle or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Seattle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Seattle is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Seattle in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. Seattle usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Seattle gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Seattle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toronto. Seattle gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Seattle