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

Should you visit Hilo or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Hilo 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.

Hilo

Hilo is a laid back, mellow, and friendly town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums. See Hilo 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Toronto travel costs.

Hilo and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilo or Toronto?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Toronto than Hilo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Toronto is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Hilo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. 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 Hilo different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Toronto has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

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

Both Hilo and Toronto offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

Hilo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Hilo or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

Toronto is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto is not a resort destination.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Beaches?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Hilo. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Hilo is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Around Hilo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilo or Toronto?

Toronto is very popular for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Toronto specifically to go shopping. 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.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Hilo or Toronto More Beautiful?

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

Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Hilo or Toronto.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hilo. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

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.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Hilo and Toronto make for a excellent place to visit.

Hilo is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

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 Hilo or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hilo and Toronto are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

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.

Is Hilo or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilo is not popular with students.

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.

Hilo is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is very popular for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Hilo or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Toronto is a very walkable destination. 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.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilo Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Hilo?

How long in Hilo or Toronto?

Both Hilo and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Toronto has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Toronto than Hilo. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town 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 destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Hilo or Toronto?

In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Toronto is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Hilo or Toronto?

Hilo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Toronto is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Hilo or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Toronto is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle 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 Hilo 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 Hilo Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilo or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo 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 Hilo 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 Hilo or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Toronto. Many visitors come to Hilo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hilo is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilo in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. Hilo usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during summer. Hilo gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilo usually receives more rain than Toronto. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilo or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Hilo for the hiking trails, 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, Hilo is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 76°F (24°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Hilo often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Hilo gets 138 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hilo usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilo or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Hilo because of the museums, 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. Hilo is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 72°F (22°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Hilo usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Hilo gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. In January, Hilo usually receives more rain than Toronto. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilo or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Hilo during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Hilo is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilo in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Hilo often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Hilo gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in April than Toronto. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Hilo