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

Should you visit Berkeley or Toronto?

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

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

Berkeley

Berkeley is a quirky, progressive, and diverse city. Berkeley is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Berkeley travel costs.

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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Berkeley and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berkeley or Toronto?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toronto than Berkeley. Toronto is bigger than Berkeley, 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 Berkeley is more popular for its impressive beauty. Berkeley is well known for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. Also, Toronto is famous for the CN Tower.

How is Berkeley different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Toronto on the map. 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 Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Berkeley and Toronto.

Dining out in Berkeley is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

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.

Is Berkeley or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Berkeley has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is the Shopping Better in Berkeley or Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Toronto is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Berkeley or Toronto More Beautiful?

Berkeley is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Berkeley is a gorgeous place to visit. It has a nice campus and a unique setting that mixes an urban environment with a bayside location.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Berkeley or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Toronto is known to be 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.

Berkeley is a family-friendly city. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Berkeley or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is notable for couples. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Berkeley or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Berkeley and Toronto are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Berkeley is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Toronto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Berkeley or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. Also, Berkeley 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 Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

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

Both Berkeley and Toronto offer first-rate public transit options.

Berkeley has a great public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Berkeley or Toronto a more walkable city?

Berkeley 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 Berkeley. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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 Berkeley Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Berkeley?

How long in Berkeley or Toronto?

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

Families should spend more time in Toronto than Berkeley. 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley or Toronto?

In Berkeley, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Berkeley or Toronto?

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

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Berkeley or Toronto?

Berkeley 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 is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Berkeley or Toronto?

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

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley or Toronto in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Berkeley is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkeley in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Berkeley usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Toronto. Many travelers come to Berkeley 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.

In October, Berkeley is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Toronto. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Berkeley 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. Berkeley is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Berkeley usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Toronto in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Berkeley is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkeley in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In April, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Toronto. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Berkeley