Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or Ottawa?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, 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 dayBrussels €137Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels 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 Brussels and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Ottawa €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Ottawa €6.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $248
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Brussels HTL-APT(BRU): $81
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven <-> Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Transfer Chauffeur Limousines Services: $129
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Brussels from/to airport: $60
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $164
- Private Transfers Between Brussels Airport and the City: $108
- Private Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $86
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Luxembourg with Luxury car: $234
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $505
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $143
- Private Transfer from Brussels City Hotels to IJmuiden Port: $142
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €38Ottawa €16
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $138
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Ottawa €37
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beer Tasting Tour in Brussels: $24
- Brussels Walking Tour with Waffle Tasting: History and Delights: $23
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Christmas Gems of Brussels - Walking Tour: $261
- 2-Hour Brussels Guided Walking Tour: $15
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $75
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $273
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $148
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: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
- 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 dayBrussels €13Ottawa €17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
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 Brussels and Ottawa, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Ottawa?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Ottawa. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.
In July, Brussels is generally cooler than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Brussels is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Brussels usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Brussels usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Brussels is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Brussels is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Brussels
| Brussels | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 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.