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

Should you visit Birmingham or Toronto?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater. See Birmingham 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Toronto travel costs.

Birmingham and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Birmingham, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Toronto is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Toronto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for theatre. However, Toronto is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Toronto is not a theatre destination.

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

Toronto is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Toronto. 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.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Toronto.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Toronto is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Birmingham or Toronto Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Toronto are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Toronto Better for Students?

For students, both Birmingham and Toronto are amazing places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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.

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Toronto a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Toronto are superb when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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 Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Toronto?

Both Birmingham 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 Birmingham. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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.

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 Birmingham or Toronto?

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Toronto?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. 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 Birmingham or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham 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. Even though Birmingham is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Birmingham. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Toronto?

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 Birmingham or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Toronto. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is cooler than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Toronto. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Toronto. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Toronto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Toronto can be very cold. Birmingham can be very cold during winter. In January, Birmingham is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Toronto. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

Birmingham is a little warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Birmingham