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

Should you visit Brisbane or Ottawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Brisbane travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Brisbane and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane than Ottawa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brisbane is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also well known for the Cultural Centre. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Brisbane different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Ottawa and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ottawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Brisbane or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Brisbane and Ottawa can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Brisbane is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Brisbane has a large number of nightlife venues. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Brisbane is considered a top beach destination. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane is a good destination for hiking. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Ottawa?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Families?

Brisbane is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. 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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Ottawa are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Brisbane is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Brisbane or Ottawa Better for Students?

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

Brisbane is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

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

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

Brisbane and Ottawa both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Ottawa has a few public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Brisbane or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Brisbane or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Brisbane or Ottawa?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Brisbane or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Ottawa, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Brisbane is in Pacific and Ottawa is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brisbane Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Ottawa?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Ottawa?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Ottawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Ottawain July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Ottawa. The autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Brisbane is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Ottawain October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Ottawain October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In July, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Ottawain January. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Ottawain January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Brisbane is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Ottawain April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than Ottawain April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Brisbane