Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Boston or Ottawa?
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours 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 dayBoston $255Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, 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 Boston and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Boston and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Boston 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Ottawa $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston downtown-to the Airport (BOS): $138
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $96
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $959
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Private Transfer from Boston to Flynn Cruiseport Boston: $116
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $103
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $88
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $103
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
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 Boston or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Boston 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 dayBoston $49Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $79
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
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.Boston $33Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1-Day Tour to Portland-Maine from Boston: $175
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Boston Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $43
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $423
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $216
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
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
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 Boston and Ottawa, we can see that Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Boston during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
In July, Boston is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 73°F (23°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boston. In the summer, Boston often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 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 JulyBoston 73°F (23°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Boston or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Boston is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Boston usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Boston usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoston 54°F (12°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Boston or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Boston as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Boston can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Boston is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Boston in January average around 29°F (-2°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Boston often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoston 29°F (-2°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Boston or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Boston is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 48°F (9°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. Boston usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Boston usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 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 AprilBoston 48°F (9°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Boston
| Boston | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.