Toronto on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Toronto can be done on a budget with hostels, multicultural food and transit. A realistic minimum is about C$167 per person per day: bed C$90, food C$45, sights C$25 and transport C$7.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$90 | C$160 | C$350 |
| Food & drink | C$45 | C$90 | C$200 |
| Sights & tickets | C$25 | C$80 | C$200 |
| Local transport | C$7 | C$15 | C$60 |
| Per person, per day | C$167 | C$345 | C$810 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Toronto day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Kensington Market and Chinatown on Spadina Avenue
- The Distillery District's pedestrian streets
- Graffiti Alley in the Fashion District
- The Harbourfront and the Waterfront Trail
- The Art Gallery of Ontario on Wednesday evenings
- The PATH underground network and Nathan Phillips Square
Cheap eats
- Jamaican beef patty: about C$3-5
- Doubles: about C$3-5; roti C$13-20
- Peameal bacon sandwich: roughly C$10-14
- Souvlaki pita on the Danforth: roughly C$12-25
- Butter tart: about C$3-5
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and cheaper hotels around Kensington and Chinatown, with doubles about C$140-220 and dorm beds less.
Getting around cheaply
Use the TTC with a contactless card or PRESTO (about C$3.30, free transfers within 2 hours). From Pearson Airport, the UP Express takes about 25 minutes to Union Station (about C$12-13); TTC buses are cheaper but slower.
A sample budget day
- Morning: St Lawrence Market and a peameal bacon sandwich (about C$12)
- Lunch: walk to the Distillery District (free)
- Afternoon: Kensington Market and Chinatown with patties and doubles (about C$10)
- Evening: Toronto Islands ferry for sunset (about C$9) and dim sum (about C$30)
- Total: about C$167 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Remember to add 13% HST to listed prices when budgeting.
- Eat in the multicultural neighbourhoods (Chinatown, Little India, the Danforth).
- Take GO buses or trains to Niagara instead of a day tour.
- Walk downtown; many sights are 15-20 minutes apart.
- Visit in shoulder season (May or October) for lower prices.
- Use free public spaces like the Islands beaches in summer.
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Common questions
Can I visit Toronto on a budget?
Yes, at about C$167 a day with hostels, cheap multicultural eats and the TTC.
How do I get from Pearson Airport cheaply?
The UP Express (about C$12-13, 25 minutes) or TTC buses for a single fare.
Can I visit Niagara Falls from Toronto on a budget?
Yes, by GO train (weekends and some summer weekdays) or GO bus, about 1.5-2 hours.