Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Ottawa?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $123. 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 Bucharest and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Ottawa $7.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Transfert Privat București: $61
- Transfers to Danube Port: Bucharest - Navrom Tulcea: $132
- Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $29
- Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov - Hotel Pick-up: $176
- Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov: $165
- Transfer Bucharest to/from Giurgiu Cruise Port: $142
- Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $247
- Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $290
- Transfer Airport Otopeni - Bucharest: $44
- Transfer Aeroport Otopeni: $65
- Transfer & Access for 4.5-Hour at Therme Bucuresti: $59
- Therme Spa Ticket with Transfer - Galaxy and Palm Areas : $87
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 Bucharest or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
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.Bucharest $15Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $251
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $93
- Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $93
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $174
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $208
- 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $260
- 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,761
- 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $563
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $99
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Bucharest City: $88
- 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brasov,Sibiu and Sighisoara Tour from Bucharest: $252
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Dracula's Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Peles Castle, Sighisoara and Libearty Brown Bear Sanctuary with Overnight in Brasov: $204
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 dayBucharest $9.28Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
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 comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Ottawa, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest is in Europe 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 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.
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
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.
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
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.
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.