Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Bar Harbor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bar Harbor or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Ottawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bar Harbor or Ottawa?
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in 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 dayBar Harbor $202Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Bar Harbor is $202, 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 Bar Harbor and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBar Harbor $117Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBar Harbor $234Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Bar Harbor and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Bar Harbor 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: Bar Harbor Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bar Harbor $35Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Bar Harbor or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Bar Harbor 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 dayBar Harbor $57Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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West Street Cafe (for 4)$70
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.Bar Harbor $39Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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Acadia National Park Entrance Fee$25
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Sunset Cruise (for 4)$96
Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
- 3 Hour Private Tour: Insiders tour of Acadia National Park: $675
- 4 Hour Private Tour: Acadia, Fjord, Gardens & Mansions: $775
- 6 Hour Private Tour: Ultimate Acadia Tour with Lobster Lunch: $1,000
- 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $30
- Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour: $299
- Acadia Half Day Private Bike Tour: $548
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia NP & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour: $21
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Acadia National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $279
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
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 dayBar Harbor $30Ottawa $18
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 Bar Harbor and Ottawa, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Bar Harbor during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 69°F (21°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
Bar Harbor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ottawa. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 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 JulyBar Harbor 69°F (21°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBar Harbor 48°F (9°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In April, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 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 AprilBar Harbor 43°F (6°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Bar Harbor
| Bar Harbor | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 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.