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

Should you visit Bordeaux or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux or Ottawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, Bordeaux attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Bordeaux travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Bordeaux and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions. Bordeaux is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Bordeaux different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Bordeaux or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bordeaux is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bordeaux. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bordeaux attracts visitors from all around. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bordeaux or Ottawa.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bordeaux. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Ottawa offers lots of family activities. 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 Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bordeaux makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux and Ottawa are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa Better for Students?

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

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

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

Bordeaux is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bordeaux can get you to most places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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 Bordeaux or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bordeaux and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

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

One day in Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Bordeaux or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. 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 Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the elegant destination of Bordeaux. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Ottawa, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the summer, Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bordeaux this time of the year. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In October, Bordeaux is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Bordeaux during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Bordeaux is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bordeaux is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Bordeaux