A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Ottawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alexandria or Ottawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Ottawa?

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second.  It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $16, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $124. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.84
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Ottawa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Alexandria


Hotels in Ottawa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.44
    Ottawa $7.32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • transfer from Alexandria to Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels: $45
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $252
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $85
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $74
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $17
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria Port: $17
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $27
  • Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
  • Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Day Trip To Egyptian Museum, Citadel & Old Cairo By Private Transfers: $8.00
  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $261

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $223
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Alexandria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria $6.33
    Ottawa $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50
  • Alexandria food Tour taste the Egyptian traditional food: $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $73
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $80
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.43
    Ottawa $41

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Alamain Private Day Tour from Alexandria Port : $160
  • Overnight Tour To Cairo from Alexandria Port: $270
  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 6-Hour Day Tour in Alexandria: $95
  • 8Days Egypt Tour package UltraLuxury Cairo,Alexandria&cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $130
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $150
  • Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $75
  • Alexandria By Night Private Tour By Horse Carriage Ride And Free Walking Tour : $55

Tours and Activities in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.33
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.65
  • Rockcliffe Quest Experience: $5.88
  • Highlights App Guided Tour with Puzzles: $6.64
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
  • Downtown Private Investigator Quest Experience: $8.48
  • Street Art in Quest Experience: $8.48
  • Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $11
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Wacky Walks: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Canadian Tire Center: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.32
    Ottawa $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Ottawa 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa than you might in Alexandria.

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


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Ottawa?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Ottawa, 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 Alexandria or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Ottawa. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Alexandria is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Alexandria is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Alexandria during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In January, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 13°C (55°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ottawa. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round.

Alexandria is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Alexandria

Alexandria Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)