Should you visit Toronto or Vancouver?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Toronto and Vancouver can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
Which city is cheaper, Vancouver or Toronto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Toronto is $175, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $120. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Toronto and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $146 for a double occupancy room in Toronto If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Vancouver, $146 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Vancouver, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $73, such as in a hostel.
Local Transportation
To get around in Toronto, the average visitor spends $28 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
To get around in Vancouver, the average visitor spends $10 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
-
Airport Shuttle
$28
-
Train: 2 Day Passes
$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer in Luxury SUV in Toronto:
$600
-
Private Toronto Transfer: Niagara Falls Hotel to Toronto Hotel or Airport:
$522
-
Private Toronto Transfer: Airport to Niagara Falls Hotel:
$522
-
Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada:
$333
-
Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada:
$319
-
Round-Trip Transfer Between Billy Bishop Toronto (YTZ) Airport and Niagara Falls:
$266
-
Round Trip :- Private Transfer Between Toronto Airport and Niagara Falls Canada:
$256
-
Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Pearson Airport:
$242
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Lester B Pearson International Airport to Hamilton City - One Way:
$241
-
Round TRIP :- Private Luxury Transfer Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls Canada:
$236
-
Airport transfers & tours through Toronto:
$200
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Lester B Pearson International Airport to Toronto City - One Way:
$192
Typical Local Transportation prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer:
$451
-
Whistler Vancouver Private Transfer:
$566
-
Floatplane Transfer between Vancouver and Tofino:
$204
-
Vancouver-Whistler Private Transfer for Skiing:
$447
-
Vancouver to Whistler Transfer:
$394
-
Vancouver to Seattle Private Transfer:
$645
-
Vancouver hotel/address to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$72
-
Vancouver Whistler Private Transfer:
$566
-
Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ Pre & Post Cruise City Sightseeing Tour Private:
$181
-
Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ Pre & Post Cruise City Sightseeing Tour Private:
$234
-
Vancouver Airport to Whistler Private Transfer:
$374
-
Vancouver Airport to Whistler Private Transfer:
$410
Is it cheaper to fly into Toronto or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Toronto 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 in Toronto costs travelers about $57 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
Vancouver food costs typically run travelers around $27 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Toronto $57
Vancouver $27
Typical Food prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Greektown Toronto Street-Food Tour:
$55
-
Kensington Market By The Sidewalk Food Tour:
$57
-
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Toronto:
$66
-
Lonely Planet Experiences: Toronto Market and Food Tour:
$73
-
Toronto Great Canadian Food Tour:
$74
-
Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour:
$74
-
The Pork and Bacon Walking Food Tour of Toronto's Hogtown History:
$79
-
Food Tour, Toronto Chinatown with A Food Writer/Chef:
$80
-
Global Food Tour:
$82
-
Toronto Obsession III Dinner Boat Cruise:
$88
-
Essential Toronto Tour - Food Tour and Toronto Islands Trip:
$93
-
Toronto Buffet Dinner Cruise:
$102
Typical Food prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Little Italy Walking Food Tour:
$75
-
Private Little Italy Walking Food Tour in Vancouver:
$75
-
Private Historical Food Tour of Gastown:
$75
-
Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour:
$75
-
Private MultiCultural Vancouver Vegan Food Tour:
$83
-
Vancouver Harbor Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$84
-
Vancouver 2.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Buffet Cruise:
$86
-
Cooking Classes:
$109
-
Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Tour:
$118
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Vancouver:
$156
-
Secret Food Tour of Vancouver w/ Private Tour Option:
$156
-
Private Food Tour Tailored to You by a Local:
$163
Entertainment
In Toronto, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $27 per person, per day.
In Vancouver, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $31 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto:
$222
-
7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto with a Souvenir Photo:
$128
-
A walking tour of PATH - Toronto's underground city:
$26
-
Abstract Acrylic Paint Pouring Adventure:
$32
-
Air Taxi & Tour Toronto - Niagara:
$588
-
Algonquin Park PRIVATE TOUR:
$613
-
Algonquin Provincial Park Day Tour from Toronto:
$166
-
All Inclusive: Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus Tour with Hornblower Boat and Lunch:
$168
-
All-Inclusive Niagara Falls Day Tour With Buffet Lunch From Toronto:
$146
-
Best of Toronto Bike Tour:
$140
-
Between Huntsville and Audio App Driving Tour:
$6.68
-
Between Parry Sound & Smartphone Audio Driving Tour:
$6.68
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
-
"Wonderful Vancouver" - all highlights city tour, english for foreigners (easy):
$129
-
"Wonderful Vancouver" - full day all highlights city tour in russian language:
$121
-
$98 Vancouver Airport Layover sightseeing /Best of Vancouver in 2 Hours Private:
$85
-
$99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private:
$108
-
10-day Rocky Mountains Whistler Big West Tour from Vancouver:
$1,241
-
14-day Rocky Mountains Whistler Vancouver Island Pacific Tour from Vancouver:
$1,666
-
2 Day Canadian Geographic Explorer Private Adventure:
$1,359
-
2 Hours Private tour of Vancouver ending at Airport or Hotel.:
$218
-
2-Day Rockies Roadrunner Tour from Vancouver finish Banff:
$359
-
2-Day Whistler Sea to Sky Tour from Vancouver:
$220
-
2-Hour Downtown Vancouver Private Walking Tour:
$108
-
2-Hour Vancouver Gastown Self-Guided Walking Tour:
$20
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Toronto spend on average $19 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Vancouver, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
-
Toronto Bar Hunt: Take On Toronto Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour:
$20
-
Corktown and Distillery District Tour:
$28
-
30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour in Toronto:
$36
-
50-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour:
$48
-
Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour:
$56
-
Canadian Wine Tasting with an expert:
$69
-
Guided Bicycle Tour - Midtown, Brickworks and Distillery District:
$69
-
Guided Bicycle Tour - Toronto Waterfront, Island and Distillery:
$73
-
Craft Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Toronto To Niagara Falls Tour w/ Free Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake:
$144
-
Biking Tour to Niagara Falls + Wine Tasting:
$145
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
-
Epic Vancouver Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
-
Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local:
$68
-
Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour:
$78
-
6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour:
$118
-
Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley):
$119
-
Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting:
$141
-
Oregon Coast Tour and Wine Tasting- Private Full Day Tour:
$179
-
Vancouver Island Cycling Tour including Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$186
-
Vancouver Private Wine Tasting Tour:
$218
-
Fraser Valley Social Wine Tasting Private Tour:
$256
-
Full-Day City Tour and Wine Tasting:
$372
-
From Fraser Valley Wine Tasting Day Trip:
$372
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toronto and Vancouver, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
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