Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Toronto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Toronto or Vancouver?
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 Vancouver 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.
Where Should I go: Toronto or Vancouver?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada, and The Best Contiki Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayToronto $205Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Toronto is $205, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Toronto and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personToronto $86Vancouver $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomToronto $172Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Toronto and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Toronto or Vancouver? 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.
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 and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Toronto $33Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
-
Airport Shuttle$27
-
Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Downtown Montreal: $1,618
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Kingston: $856
- Private Transfer to Kingston City or Queen's Unive…: $827
- Niagara Falls: Private Transfer to/from Toronto Airport: $710
- Pearson Airport to Blue Mountain Resort Transfer: $675
- Low cost Transfer: Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls (Lake): $666
- Pvt. Transfer St. Catharines Airport to Pearson Int Airport: $476
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Niagara Falls: $442
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Port Hope: $439
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $297
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Hamilton: $281
- Niagara Falls private transfers : $278
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
-
SkyTrain from Airport$6.41
-
Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
-
15 min Taxi Ride$8.80
-
SkyTrain DayPass$6.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- YVR Airport: Private Airport Transfer to/from Vancouver: $51
- YVR Airport Transfer to Squamish: $411
- YVR Airport Transfer to Fraser Valley: $618
- Transfer Downtown - Canada Place Cruise Terminal: $138
- Private Transfer to Whistler with Sightseeing: $546
- Private Transfer to Whistler: $468
- Private Transfer to Ferry Terminal: $175
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $509
- Private Transfer - Canada Place Cruise Terminal: $73
- North Shore Mountains Snowshoeing with Transfer: $116
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $60
- Airport Transfer Service To Burnaby: $407
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 Meals for one dayToronto $65Vancouver $31
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: $60
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $73
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $75
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $87
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour : $96
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour with Optional Boat & Dinner: $110
- Toronto Obsession III Dinner Cruise: $128
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $156
- Toronto World Food Tour : $196
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
-
All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $85
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $93
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- Private Historical Food Tour of Gastown : $108
- Granvile Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $112
- VIP Access Granville Island Market Walking Food Tour: $113
- Granvile Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $115
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $123
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $125
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $133
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Toronto $31Vancouver $36
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)$7.33
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Private Photoshoot Experience in Toronto: $74
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $224
- 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration: $25
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $201
- 2 Hour Toronto City Tour with Optional Boat: $48
- 2hr Shared Sailing Experience in Toronto: $140
- 3hr Shared Sailing Adventure: $179
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $110
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $34
- Adventures in Abstract Paint Pouring : $30
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $138
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Half-day Hike and Bike Tour in Vancouver: $131
- Private tour by car from Vancouver to Squamish with E-Scooters: $96
- Tour in a Mountain canyon and Ocean view from the Rock: $75
- Victoria 1-Day Tour From Vancouver: $178
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $194
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour - Vancouver's Highlights: $220
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $233
- 3 Days Leavenworth & Portland X'mas Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $288
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,400
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Vancouver's Highlights: $300
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayToronto $22Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.16
- Toronto Distillery District: Finest Whisky Quest Experience: $8.28
- Toronto Bar Hunt: Take On Toronto Bar Crawl: $12
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $18
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $25
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $36
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $42
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver Mansions Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $25
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $89
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $90
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $123
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $133
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $135
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $137
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Toronto Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Toronto or Vancouver?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vancouver. When comparing the sizes of Toronto and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Toronto or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Vancouver.
Toronto is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vancouver this time of the year. In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toronto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. Toronto gets 281 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Toronto usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Toronto gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyToronto 21°C (70°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Toronto as well as Vancouver.
In the autumn, Toronto is around the same temperature as Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toronto in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Toronto often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Toronto gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Toronto usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Toronto gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberToronto 11°C (51°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Toronto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Vancouver can be very cold during winter. Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Toronto is generally much colder than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around -4°C (25°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Toronto usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Toronto gets 87 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Toronto usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Toronto gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryToronto -4°C (25°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Toronto during the spring are popular places to visit.
Toronto is cooler than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the spring, Toronto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Toronto gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Toronto usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Toronto gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilToronto 7°C (44°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Toronto
| Toronto | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.