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

Should you visit Basel or Toronto?

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

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

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. Basel is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Basel travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Basel and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Toronto is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. 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 Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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

Toronto is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Toronto just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Basel or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Toronto?

Toronto is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Basel or Toronto More Beautiful?

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

Basel is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Situated along the river, this city is beautiful to explore on foot.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Basel or Toronto Better for Families?

Basel and Toronto are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toronto. 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 Basel or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Basel or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel 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 Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

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

Toronto is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Toronto can get you around easily. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Basel or Toronto a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its walkability. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Basel. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Toronto is a very walkable city. 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 Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Basel?

How long in Basel or Toronto?

Both Basel 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 Basel. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

Couples should spend more time in Toronto than Basel. 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 Basel 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 Basel or Toronto?

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Toronto?

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Toronto?

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Basel or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Toronto, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Toronto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basel is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, 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 Toronto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toronto 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Toronto.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or Toronto in the Summer?

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

In July, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Toronto. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Toronto. Many travelers come to Basel for the shopping 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.

Basel is a little warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Toronto. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. Basel can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Basel or Toronto in the Spring?

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

In April, Basel is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Toronto. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Basel