A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Toronto vs. Halifax for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Toronto or Halifax?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toronto and Halifax 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.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Halifax travel costs.

Toronto and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toronto or Halifax?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Halifax, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more touristy than Halifax and is known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower. Halifax is popular for its maritime past.

How is Toronto different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toronto is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Toronto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

Toronto is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Toronto or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Toronto or Halifax?

Toronto is renowned for shopping. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Toronto. 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.

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Toronto or Halifax Better for Families?

Toronto is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Toronto or Halifax Better for Couples?

Toronto is a very popular place for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Toronto or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Toronto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Halifax is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Toronto or Halifax Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Halifax, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is Toronto or Halifax a more walkable city?

Toronto is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Toronto?

How long in Toronto or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toronto and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Halifax. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Toronto, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

Families should spend more time in Toronto than Halifax. 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 Halifax. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toronto that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Halifax 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 Toronto or Halifax?

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.

In Halifax, 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 Toronto or Halifax?

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.

In Halifax, 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 Halifax has to offer.

Five days in Toronto or Halifax?

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.

Halifax 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.

A week in Toronto or Halifax?

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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada, and The Best Contiki Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toronto and Halifax, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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

Which is Bigger, Toronto or Halifax?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of Toronto and Halifax, 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 Toronto or Halifax?

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 Toronto or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Toronto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Halifax because of the family-friendly experiences.

Toronto is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. Toronto usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Toronto gets 281 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toronto usually receives less rain than Halifax. Toronto gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toronto or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Toronto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

In the autumn, Toronto is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toronto in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Toronto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Halifax. Toronto gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Toronto usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Toronto gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toronto or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Halifax. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Halifax for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. In January, Toronto is generally around the same temperature as Halifax. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around -4°C (25°F), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Toronto usually receives less sunshine than Halifax during winter. Toronto gets 87 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Toronto usually receives less rain than Halifax. Toronto gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toronto or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toronto as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

Halifax can get quite cold in the spring. Toronto is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the spring, Toronto often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Toronto gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Toronto usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Toronto gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Toronto