Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Ottawa?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is €114. 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 Athens and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Ottawa €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Athens and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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.
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: Athens Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Ottawa €6.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VipTransfer From /To Athens Airport - Lavrio Port : $207
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Rafina Port : $218
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $273
- Vip Transfer From /To Athens Center - Athens Airport : $218
- VIP High Class Limos & Chauffeurs Transfer to Athens: $66
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $250
- Transfer services from/to Athens Airport: $105
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens city centre hotel: $41
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens International Airport: $142
- Transfer from/to Athens International Airport to city centre: $126
- Transfer from/to Athens Airport and Athens City Centre: $197
- Transfer from and to Athens International Airport : $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Athens 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
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Ottawa €16
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $26
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $52
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $62
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $64
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $64
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 : $71
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Ottawa €37
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $87
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 4Hours: $142
- Athens Private Day Tour Best place to visit: $273
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $86
- DELPHI and THERMOPYLAE: Full Day Private Tour Visit Arachova 8 H: $204
- DISCOVER ATHENS IN 6HRS Private Tour BEST INTRODUCTION-FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS : $218
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $174
- Food Experience in Athens including Unlimited Lunch : $63
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $246
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $192
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $59
- "Acropolis Half-day Tour and City Visit": $170
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $133
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $85
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $75
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $115
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $186
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $150
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Ottawa €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $36
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $54
- Greek food and wine tasting: $54
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $54
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $79
Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Ottawa, we can see that Athens is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Athens is in Europe and Ottawa is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Ottawa?
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 Athens or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Ottawa. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Athens is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Athens or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Athens or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Athens usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Athens or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Athens is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Athens
| Athens | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
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.