Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Belfast?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belfast or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.
Where Should I go: Belfast or Ottawa?
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin. It has a population of about 270,000 and almost 500,000 in the metropolitan area. It's located on the mouth of the River Lagan and is set between many low hills that rise up around it.
One of the most famous, and tragic times in Belfast's history is referred to as "The Troubles." During this time, between 1969 and 1997, there were many bomb and gun attacks throughout the city. This left many areas as essentially no-go zones. Neighborhoods became completely lawless do to the lack of security and the damage is still visible today in some areas. In 1998 the Good Friday Agreement was signed and much of the politically motivated violence ended. The city actually received praise recently as the safest city in the UK based on crime rate. Tourism is growing and many visitors enjoy seeing this less popular travel destination. The city has a lot of character and will give you an interesting take on Irish and British history.
Belfast has a temperate climate and temperature and precipitation have little variation throughout the year. The climate is influenced by the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, making it warmer than many cities that are found at the same latitude. Rain is common with precipitation falling an average of 157 days a year. Snow is much less common, although it does happen about ten days a year. The warmest days during the summer may reach a temperature around 25 degrees Celsius and the coldest days have lows that drop just below freezing.
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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, 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 dayBelfast £133Ottawa £98
The average daily cost (per person) in Belfast is £133, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is £98. 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 Belfast and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelfast £68Ottawa £15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelfast £136Ottawa £30
Compare Hotels in Belfast and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Belfast 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: Belfast Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belfast £14Ottawa £5.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belfast
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belfast:
- Private Transfer from Dundonald to Belfast Airport (BFS): $94
- Private Transfer from Carryduff to Belfast Airport (BFS): $94
- Private Transfer from Belfast City to Belfast Airport (BFS): $84
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Whiterock: $62
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Warrenpoint: $135
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Tynan: $147
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Trillick : $202
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Tandragee: $122
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Strangford: $110
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Strabane : $227
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Stewartstown : $151
- Private Transfer from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Rosslea: $214
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 Belfast or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Belfast 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 dayBelfast £51Ottawa £14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belfast
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belfast.
- Guided Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $82
- Belfast Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $108
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.Belfast £18Ottawa £32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Belfast
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Belfast are as follows:
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Movie Tickets£8.00
Tours and Activities in Belfast
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Belfast are as follows:
- Belfast A Music and StreetArt Experience. Small Gr Walking Tour : $25
- Belfast The Troubles cab tour Adventure 2hrs personal guide : $113
- Historical Private Tour in Belfast : $76
- (Small Group) Shore Tour from Giant's Causeway and Belfast Day Trip: $147
- 2 hour Private Political History & Murals Tour Belfast: $70
- 2 hours Belfast Original Drivers The Troubles Black Taxi Tour: $93
- 3 Hour extended Murals Tour: $102
- 4 Hours Private Guided Belfast City Tour: $254
- A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour : $28
- Antrim Coast Carrickfergus and Gobbins Cliff Experience: $439
- Award winners Express 2 hrs Black Taxi tours and Mural Taxi Tour: $159
- Belfast Famous Black taxi political mural peace wall tour 2 hour: $126
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: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
- 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 dayBelfast £7.86Ottawa £15
Sample the Local Flavors in Belfast
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Belfast:
- Pub Crawl and Bar Walking Tour with Two Drinks: $15
- Explore & Taste: Distillery Tour at Titanic Distillers: $32
- Belfast Giant's Causeway and Titanic Distillery Whiskey Tour: $69
- VIP Skip-the Line Titanic Museum and Distillery Tasting Tour: $119
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 Belfast and Ottawa, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belfast or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Belfast in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Belfast is generally cooler than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 15°C (59°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Belfast usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelfast 15°C (59°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Belfast or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Belfast is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelfast 9°C (48°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Belfast or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Belfast because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. The weather in Belfast can be very cold. In the winter, Belfast is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belfast in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelfast 4°C (39°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Belfast or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.
In April, Belfast is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 8°C (46°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Belfast usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelfast 8°C (46°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Belfast
| Belfast | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (48°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.