Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Berlin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Berlin or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin 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: Berlin or Ottawa?
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.
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 Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerlin €137Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Berlin is €137, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is €114. 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 Berlin and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerlin €64Ottawa €17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerlin €128Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Berlin and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Berlin 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: Berlin Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berlin €18Ottawa €6.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
-
Short Trip Metro Ticket€1.40
-
Bahn Ticket€3.00
-
Short Taxi Ride€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Berlin HTL-APT (SXF): $300
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Berlin APT-HTL (SXF): $300
- Skip-the-line Charlottenburg Palace Private Tour & Transfers: $205
- Round Trip Private Transfer Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin by Business Car: $258
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with Terezin Concentration Camp stop: $268
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague: $732
- Private arrival OR departure transfer from/to airport of Berlin: $142
- Private Transfer: Brandenburg Airport BER to Berlin in Sedan Car: $103
- Private Transfer: Brandenburg Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Van: $114
- Private Transfer: Brandenburg Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Car: $120
- Private Transfer: Berlin to River Cruise Dock Nuremberg - Port/Harbor transport: $263
- Private Transfer: Berlin to Brandenburg Airport BER in Sedan Car: $103
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Berlin or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Berlin 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 dayBerlin €52Ottawa €16
Typical Food Prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
-
Sandwich and Coffee To Go€5.00
-
Turkish Sandwich€2.00
-
Currywurst€2.00
-
2 Pho Noodles€9.00
-
Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)€60
-
Mauer Park (2)€11
-
Coffees at Impala€7.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $18
- English Stand-Up Comedy with Pizza and Shots: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin With Set Lunch or Dinner : $34
- Berlin Mitte kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Kreuzberg kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- No Diet Club - Street Food Tour with many Tastings !: $59
- Evening Yacht Cruise with Aperitif & Optional Dinner: $64
- Evening Food Tour by Bike: $70
- Sicilian Cooking Workshop with unlimited drinks: $70
- Sharing plate food tour in Berlin: $76
- Dinner Cruise on the Spree with Prosecco: $80
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berlin €22Ottawa €37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Berlin Zoo (2)€20
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
- East Berlin and the Berlin Wall 2-Hour Walking Tour : $22
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin: $32
- (E) Bike Tour for Non Bikers option Rickshaw Shared Guide: $48
- 1-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin: $49
- 2 Hours Berlin City Guided Electric Trike Tour: $74
- 2 Hours E-Scooter Tour: $60
- 2-Hour Private Berlin Walking Tour, Berlin in the Third Reich and Cold War: $213
- 3 Hours Berlin City Guided Electric Trike Tour: $91
- 3-Hour Alternative Berlin Bike Tour: Vibes of Berlin: $35
- 3-Hour Private Berlin Bike Tour: Vibes of Berlin: $185
- 3D Adventure black light mini golf (Berlin): $22
- 4 Hours 2 Person Highlights Berlin Rickshaw Tour with Guide : $207
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $133
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $85
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $75
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $115
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $186
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $150
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerlin €16Ottawa €17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
-
Drinks at a Show€14
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- VIP Pub Crawl with Drinks and Challenges: $16
- brewery tour with beer tasting: $19
- Vagabund Brauerei Beer Tasting & Guided Brewery Tour: $24
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Club Entry: $24
- Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour: $33
- The Showgirls of Burlesque: $46
- Showgirls of Burlesque Entry Ticket: $70
- Berlin:sunset boat trip with Argentine wine tasting and food: $215
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $251
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $255
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404
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 Berlin and Ottawa, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Berlin 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin 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 Berlin Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Berlin or Ottawa?
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Berlin 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 Berlin or Ottawa?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Berlin or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Berlin is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berlin in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Berlin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Berlin usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerlin 19°C (66°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Berlin as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In October, Berlin is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 10°C (50°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Berlin usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerlin 10°C (50°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Berlin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. The weather in Berlin can be very cold. Berlin is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Berlin usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerlin -0°C (31°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Berlin during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.
In the spring, Berlin is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berlin in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Berlin usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerlin 9°C (47°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Berlin
| Berlin | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 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.