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

Should you visit Phoenix or Toronto?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Toronto can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Phoenix 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.

Phoenix and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Toronto?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toronto than Phoenix. Toronto is bigger than Phoenix, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toronto is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Toronto is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. Also, Toronto is famous for the CN Tower. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

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

Toronto has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toronto. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Toronto is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Phoenix or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Toronto is a very popular city 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Toronto can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Phoenix or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Toronto?

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

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

In Phoenix, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Phoenix or Toronto?

In Phoenix, 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 Phoenix has to offer.

Because Toronto 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Phoenix or Toronto?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. 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. Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Toronto. The summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. In the summer, Phoenix is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phoenix in July average around 98°F (36°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. In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during summer. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Toronto. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phoenix or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Toronto. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 79°F (26°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the autumn, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in October than Toronto. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. Phoenix is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Toronto. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Phoenix or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Phoenix during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Phoenix is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phoenix in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the spring, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Phoenix