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

Should you visit Baltimore 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 Baltimore and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a diverse, colorful, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Baltimore 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.

Baltimore and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Baltimore or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Baltimore than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Baltimore, Baltimore has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Baltimore different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Baltimore
Ottawa

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Baltimore and Ottawa.

Many visitors head to Baltimore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ottawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Baltimore or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Baltimore or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Baltimore has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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 the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Ottawa?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore 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 Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

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 Baltimore or Ottawa Better for Families?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

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.

Is Baltimore or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Both Baltimore and Ottawa are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Ottawa is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Baltimore or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore and Ottawa are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Baltimore is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.


Is Baltimore or Ottawa Better for Students?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Ottawa is very good for students. However, Baltimore 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Baltimore can get you to most places easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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 Baltimore or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Baltimore
Ottawa

Baltimore is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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


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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Baltimore and Ottawa. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Baltimore than Ottawa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore 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 Baltimore.


  • How many days in Baltimore or Ottawa? Ideal Length of Stay
    Baltimore 2-3 
    Ottawa 2-3

One day in Baltimore or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. 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 Baltimore or Ottawa?

Baltimore 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 Baltimore or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. 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 Baltimore or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful destination of Baltimore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Baltimore?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Baltimore Prices
    USA Prices
    Ottawa Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Baltimore $217
    Ottawa $127

The average daily cost (per person) in Baltimore is $217, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $127. 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 Baltimore and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Baltimore $93
    Ottawa $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Baltimore $186
    Ottawa $34
Compare Hotels in Baltimore and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Baltimore 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 Baltimore


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: Baltimore Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Baltimore $21
    Ottawa $6.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Baltimore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:

  • Private transfer To or Form Bethesda and Ronald Reagan Airport: $199
  • Private Transfer from Baltimore Port to Baltimore Airport (BWI): $190
  • Private Transfer from Baltimore Cruise Port to Baltimore city: $66
  • Private Transfer from Baltimore City to Baltimore Cruise Port: $95
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
  • Private Airport Transfer: Baltimore Airport BWI to Washington in Luxury SUV: $181
  • Private Airport Transfer: Baltimore Airport BWI to Washington in Business Car: $130
  • Private Airport Transfer from Baltimore to DCA or vice versa: $300
  • Departure Private Transfer Baltimore to Baltimore Airport BWI - Business Vehicle: $111
  • Private Transfer to BWI or Washington DC/Airports: $160
  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $74
  • Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $200

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: $211
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Baltimore or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Baltimore 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
    Baltimore $79
    Ottawa $28
Typical Food Prices in Baltimore

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2) in Fells Point
    $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Baltimore

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

  • Private Hands-On Vegan Cooking Experience in Baltimore: $45
  • Inner Harbor Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner: $63
  • Thai Curry Cooking Class with Local Chef in Baltimore: $75
  • Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour: $77
  • Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore: $78
  • Baltimore Signature Dinner Cruise: $94
  • Discover Fells Point Culinary Food Tour: $109
  • Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $110
  • Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $110
  • Baltimore Buffet Dinner/Dance Cruise of the Inner Harbor: $112
  • Baltimore Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise : $133
  • Baltimore New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $251

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 : $75
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $78
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $78
  • Old-Aylmer Food Tour - Food Tour From Ottawa : $79
  • A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Baltimore $18
    Ottawa $38

Tours and Activities in Baltimore

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

  • Antietam National Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Baltimore Father's Day Buffet Brunch Cruise Tour: $110
  • Baltimore Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $96
  • Baltimore Monuments Walking Tour: $20
  • Baltimore Orioles Baseball Game Ticket at Oriole Park: $22
  • Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Experience by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Baltimore Signature Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise: $75
  • Baltimore Signature Lunch Cruise: $63
  • Baltimore Walking Foodie Tour in Fells Point: $104
  • Baltimore's Cruise ship Tour-shuttle service: $25
  • Baltimore's Historical Sightseeing Tour: $44

Tours and Activities in Ottawa

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

  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
  • Downtown Private Investigator Quest Experience: $7.88
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.41
  • Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Casino Link Cruise to NCC River house: $10
  • Rockcliffe Exploration Game and Tour: $11
  • Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $11
  • Ottawa : Historic Tour of the Ottawa Jail Hostel: $15
  • Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $20
  • Secrets of the Château Laurier Hotel Tour: $20
  • Solar Palapa Experience on the Ottawa River: $21
  • Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Canadian Tire Center: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Baltimore $17
    Ottawa $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Baltimore

Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Original Fells Point Haunted Pub Tour by Baltimore Ghost Tours: $33
  • Baltimore Boos & Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40

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 Baltimore and Ottawa, we can see that Baltimore 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 Baltimore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Baltimore 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 Baltimore Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Baltimore. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Baltimore is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July average around 78°F (25°C), 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 Baltimore this time of the year. In the summer, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Baltimore receives a lot of rain in the summer. Baltimore usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Baltimore 78°F (25°C) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Baltimore or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In October, Baltimore is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Baltimore usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Baltimore 57°F (14°C) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Baltimore or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Baltimore during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of 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. It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. Baltimore is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 32°F (0°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Baltimore often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Baltimore 32°F (0°C) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Baltimore or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Baltimore is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Baltimore usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Baltimore 54°F (12°C) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Baltimore

Baltimore Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 32°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 54°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 64°F (18°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 78°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 47°F (9°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)