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

Should you visit Berkeley or Ottawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley 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.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Berkeley and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berkeley or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Berkeley than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Berkeley, Berkeley has more sights and attractions for tourists. Berkeley is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. It is also well known for University of California Botanical Garden. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Berkeley different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Berkeley or Ottawa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Berkeley can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ottawa. 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 Berkeley or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Berkeley has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

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 Berkeley or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Berkeley has a large number of nightlife venues. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

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 Berkeley or Ottawa?

Berkeley 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 Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

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 Berkeley or Ottawa Better for Families?

Berkeley and Ottawa are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Ottawa is a family-friendly city. 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 Berkeley or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Berkeley and Ottawa are both nice to visit as a couple.

Berkeley is a good city for couples to visit. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. 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 Berkeley or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Berkeley or Ottawa Better for Students?

Berkeley is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Berkeley is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

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

Berkeley is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Berkeley can get you around easily. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

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 Berkeley or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Berkeley is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Berkeley. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Berkeley?

How long in Berkeley or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Berkeley or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Berkeley. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Ottawa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Berkeley or Ottawa?

Berkeley 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.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ottawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Berkeley or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berkeley. 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.

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Berkeley or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Ottawa, we can see that Berkeley 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley 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 Berkeley Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Berkeley during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Berkeley is cooler than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Berkeley usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Berkeley is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Berkeley in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In October, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Berkeley or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In January, Berkeley is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 50°F (10°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Berkeley usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

Berkeley is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In April, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Berkeley