Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Atlantic City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City 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: Atlantic City or Ottawa?
Atlantic City
Atlantic City, on the southeastern coast of New Jersey, is a popular destination for gambling, partying, and generally having fun. The beach is lined with casinos, many with famous names, and there's a boardwalk that offers a diverse experience. Most people don't head to Atlantic City for the beaches - it's the casinos and partying that draws a crowd. This is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or anybody looking for an affordable place to gamble.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, 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 dayAtlantic City $154Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $154, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $122. 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 Atlantic City and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAtlantic City $73Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAtlantic City $146Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Atlantic City and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City 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: Atlantic City Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Atlantic City $40Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Atlantic City 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 dayAtlantic City $50Ottawa $17
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Atlantic City $44Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Atlantic City
Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 75-Minute Ocean Parasailing Adventure Above Ocean City, MD: $70
- Atlantic City Adventure Scavenger Hunt: $27
- Absecon Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $10
- Dolphin Watching Ocean Cruise Adventure: $53
- Morning or Afternoon Skyline Ocean Cruise: $27
- Parasailing Experience: $95
- Quiet Bay Cruise With Happy Hour Options: $27
- Sunset Party Cruise with DJ: $33
- Bay Hopper Breakfast Sandwich Cruise: $35
- Downtown/Boardwalk Foodie Tour: $119
- Midtown Dining District Foodie Tour: $110
- OC Bay Hopper - Assateague Island Cruise (Departs 118th): $45
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: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.42
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAtlantic City $39Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlantic City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
- Little Water Distillery Spirit Tasting: $15
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Ottawa, we can see that Atlantic City is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Atlantic City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Ottawa. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.
In July, Atlantic City is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 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 Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAtlantic City 75°F (24°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene.
Atlantic City is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAtlantic City 56°F (13°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Atlantic City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Atlantic City often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAtlantic City 31°F (-0°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months.
In April, Atlantic City is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAtlantic City 51°F (10°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Atlantic City
| Atlantic City | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | -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.