Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Berkeley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Berkeley or Ottawa?
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 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 dayBerkeley $190Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $190, 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 Berkeley and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkeley $131Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkeley $262Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Berkeley 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: Berkeley Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkeley $30Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:
- Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
- Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
- Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
- Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $64
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV: $232
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 Berkeley or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Berkeley 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 dayBerkeley $36Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
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Chocolates at Sweet Dreams$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
- North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
- Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
- Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $130
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.Berkeley $30Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Berkeley
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
- Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
- Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
- Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
- Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $14
- Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $120
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
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 dayBerkeley $13Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:
- Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
- Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175
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 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.
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
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.
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
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.
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkeley 50°F (10°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkeley 58°F (14°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Berkeley
| Berkeley | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.