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

Should you visit Toronto or Rotorua?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toronto and Rotorua can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a cultural, natural, and world-renowned town. Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Toronto and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toronto or Rotorua?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toronto than Rotorua. Toronto is bigger than Rotorua, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toronto is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. Also, Toronto is famous for the CN Tower. Rotorua is well known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Toronto different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Toronto has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Toronto and Rotorua.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Toronto or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Toronto or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toronto or Rotorua?

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

Many people travel to Toronto specifically to go shopping. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Toronto or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Toronto or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Toronto or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is terrific for romance. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Toronto or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Toronto or Rotorua Better for Students?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Toronto is a very popular city 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

Is Toronto or Rotorua 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, Rotorua 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 Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Toronto or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Toronto is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Toronto is a very walkable destination. 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Toronto?

How long in Toronto or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toronto and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Rotorua. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Toronto, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Toronto. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotorua, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Rotorua 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 Toronto or Rotorua?

Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Rotorua, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Toronto or Rotorua?

Because Toronto 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Rotorua, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Rotorua has to offer.

Five days in Toronto or Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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.

A week in Toronto or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toronto or Rotorua?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Toronto and Rotorua, 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 Toronto or Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Toronto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Toronto or Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Toronto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In July, Toronto is generally much warmer than Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around 21°C (70°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Toronto usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Toronto gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toronto or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Toronto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Toronto is much colder than Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.

Toronto usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Toronto gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toronto or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Rotorua. Many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In the winter, Toronto is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toronto in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

In January, Toronto usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Toronto gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toronto or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toronto as well as Rotorua. Many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Toronto is generally much colder than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around 7°C (44°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Toronto usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Toronto gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Toronto