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

Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a cultural, charming, and historical 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, shopping, and museums. See Bucharest 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.

Bucharest and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bucharest than Ottawa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bucharest is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also home to The Palace of Parliament. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Bucharest different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ottawa. 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 Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Bucharest and Ottawa.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Ottawa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Bucharest or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest 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 Bucharest. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

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 Bucharest or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

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

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Ottawa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Bucharest or Ottawa Better for Families?

Ottawa is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Ottawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Bucharest or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest 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 Bucharest can get you to most places easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

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 Bucharest or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Bucharest and Ottawa both are good when exploring on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bucharest and Ottawa. In our opinion, Ottawa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ottawa than Bucharest. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

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

One day in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bucharest. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ottawa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Bucharest 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.

You'll find museums and food around the welcoming destination of Ottawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Ottawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bucharest. 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 popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, 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 Bucharest and Ottawa, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Ottawa?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Ottawa. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°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 Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. Bucharest is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Bucharest is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Bucharest