A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Ottawa for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit Amsterdam or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Ottawa, 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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Amsterdam and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam and Ottawa are both popular with visitors, Amsterdam has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Amsterdam different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Ottawa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ottawa. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ottawa. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Amsterdam just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Families?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Amsterdam can get you around easily. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Amsterdam or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

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

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Amsterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ottawa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Ottawa 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ottawa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the cultural destination of Ottawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Ottawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Ottawa?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In October, Amsterdam is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Amsterdam is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Ottawa. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the spring, Amsterdam is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Amsterdam