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

Should you visit Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan and Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a local, scenic, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Ketchikan 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Ketchikan and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ketchikan or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto. Although Ketchikan and Toronto are both popular with visitors, Toronto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Ketchikan is known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ketchikan is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Ketchikan different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Toronto that are not to be missed. 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.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

Ketchikan is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Ketchikan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Hiking?

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

Around Ketchikan visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ketchikan or Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for shopping. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto More Beautiful?

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

Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Families?

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

Ketchikan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Toronto is very family-friendly. 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 Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Couples?

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

Ketchikan is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. However, Ketchikan is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Ketchikan is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is renowned for its public transit. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Ketchikan or Toronto a more walkable city?

Ketchikan and Toronto both are superb when exploring on foot.

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

Toronto is a very walkable town. 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 Ketchikan Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Ketchikan?

How long in Ketchikan or Toronto?

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

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

In Ketchikan, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ketchikan or Toronto?

In Ketchikan, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ketchikan has to offer.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ketchikan or Toronto?

Ketchikan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

People visit Toronto because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Ketchikan or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ketchikan. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ketchikan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Ketchikan and Toronto, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 640 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Ketchikan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ketchikan is cooler than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 58°F (15°C) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Toronto. Many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Ketchikan is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ketchikan in October average around 46°F (8°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Toronto. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, 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. Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In January, Ketchikan is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 34°F (1°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

Ketchikan is around the same temperature as Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 44°F (6°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In April, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Toronto. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Ketchikan