A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bar Harbor vs. Toronto for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Toronto?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Toronto 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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto. Although Bar Harbor and Toronto are both popular with visitors, Toronto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Bar Harbor different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Toronto is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Toronto that are not to be missed. 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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is terrific for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Toronto is a must-see party destination. 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.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bar Harbor. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Bar Harbor. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Toronto is terrific for shopping. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto More Beautiful?

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

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Toronto is 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.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Couples?

Both Bar Harbor and Toronto are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is terrific for students. However, Bar Harbor 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.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is terrific for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Toronto can take you anywhere. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Bar Harbor or Toronto a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor and Toronto both are great when exploring on foot.

Bar Harbor is very walkable. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Toronto is a very walkable coastal town. 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 Bar Harbor Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

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

Families should spend more time in Toronto than Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bar Harbor has to offer.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 760 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Bar Harbor during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Toronto. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bar Harbor is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bar Harbor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Toronto. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Toronto. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. In January, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the activities around the city during these months.

Bar Harbor is cooler than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Toronto. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Bar Harbor