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

Should you visit Phuket or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Toronto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. Phuket is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Phuket travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Phuket and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Phuket. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Phuket attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower.

How is Phuket different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Toronto can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

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.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Phuket or Toronto has a better nightlife scene.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

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.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto is not a resort destination.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Phuket is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Phuket is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Toronto More Beautiful?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Phuket is a gorgeous place to visit. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Couples?

Phuket and Toronto are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Toronto is a great resort island 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.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

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.

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

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

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

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Toronto?

Both Phuket 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 Phuket. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

In Phuket, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Toronto?

In Phuket, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Toronto is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Toronto?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. In Phuket, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Toronto is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto than you might in Phuket.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Toronto?

Toronto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Toronto. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Phuket is much warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Toronto. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Should I visit Phuket or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Toronto. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Phuket