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

Should you visit Cologne or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Toronto? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cologne

Cologne is a colorful, fun, and accessible city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Cologne is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Cologne 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Cologne and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Toronto?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cologne than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Cologne, Cologne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cologne is better known for its historical sights, christmas markets, and impressive beauty, while Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Cologne is well known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. Also, Cologne is famous for The Cologne Cathedral. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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

Toronto is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Toronto is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Cologne or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Toronto is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Many people head to Cologne for the nightlife scene. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Cologne or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Cologne or Toronto More Beautiful?

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

Cologne is a gorgeous place to visit. You'll be greeted by the intricately designed Cologne Cathedral as you leave the train station. Old Town spreads out from this square and although many areas have been rebuilt, there city still offers a fascinating beauty.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cologne or Toronto Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cologne or Toronto.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Toronto is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Cologne or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Cologne or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is well known for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toronto is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Cologne or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Toronto. 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.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cologne and Toronto.

Visitors in Cologne can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Toronto has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Cologne or Toronto a more walkable city?

Cologne and Toronto both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

Toronto is very walkable. 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 Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Toronto?

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

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Toronto. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cologne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

In Toronto, 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.

A weekend in Cologne or Toronto?

Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Cologne has to offer.

In Toronto, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Cologne or Toronto?

Cologne 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 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 Toronto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cologne or Toronto?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. In Toronto, you'll find museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Toronto?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cologne is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than Toronto. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Cologne during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. The weather in Cologne can be very cold. Cologne is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Toronto. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Cologne is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives less rain than Toronto. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Cologne