Is Ottawa expensive to visit?
Ottawa is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $131. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Cozumel and Halifax.
Ottawa, Canada
How expensive is Ottawa?
Travelers spend an average of $131 per day when visiting Ottawa (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Ottawa here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Ottawa?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Ottawa costs around $393 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $786.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Ottawa?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Ottawa will cost around $917 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,834.
Is it expensive to backpack in Ottawa?
Ottawa attracts a few backpackers, but traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a small number of hostels found here. The average cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Ottawa is $24 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $24 and the most expensive are more than $24 per night. (See hostel prices in Ottawa here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Ottawa.
- $24 for a dorm bed at Ottawa Backpackers Inn
- $24 for a dorm bed at Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Ottawa?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Ottawa, we find them to be somewhat lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $126. The area boasts about five-star hotels with an average rate of $362 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $164 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $213 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Ottawa
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 0 | $362 |
| 4 stars | 0 | $140 |
| 3 stars | 0 | $164 |
| 2 stars | 0 | $213 |
| 1 star | 0 | $80 |
| No rating | 0 | $123 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $39 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $24.
- Ottawa Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour with TURTLE Sightings: $54
- ByWard Market Tour Timber Taverns and Tall Tales: $19
- Private Ottawa City Highlights Walking Tour: $149
- Ottawa Tours Parliament Hill and River Parkway Tour 1 hour 30 min: $130
- Ottawa City Rafting Adventure: $71
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $57
- Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour: $19
- Full Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour - Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau: $132
Is food expensive in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $28 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $62.
- Ottawa - Byward Market Food Tour: $94
- Ottawa - Taste of Canada Food Tour: $95
- Ottawa Food Tour with ByWard Market Flavors & 6 Local Tastings: $97
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $76
- Ottawa: ByWard Market Chocolate Food Tour with Tastings: $66
- Ottawa: ByWard Market Progressive Dinner Food Tour: $141
Is transportation expensive in Ottawa?
Exploring local transportation in Ottawa shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $7 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $22. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Ottawa
If you're planning a trip to Ottawa, Ontario, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.