Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Budapest 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 Budapest and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Budapest or Ottawa?
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
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 from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, 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 dayBudapest $91Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $91, 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 Budapest and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBudapest $50Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBudapest $100Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Budapest 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: Budapest Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Budapest $11Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$7.05
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Metro Pass$3.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $710
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,603
- Speed boat cruise on Budapest Danube river and private airport transfer package: $91
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $936
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $592
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,066
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $474
- Private Transfer: Budapest to Budapest International Airport (BUD): $44
- Private Transfer in Budapest: $76
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $235
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $217
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Liszt Ferenc Airport: $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Budapest 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 dayBudapest $23Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $52
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Chefparade Cooking School_ Hungarian menu: $79
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
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.Budapest $22Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.91
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $164
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $240
- 101 things you have to see in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Dessert: $186
- 10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks : $20
- 2 Hour Budapest Market and Tasting Tour: $57
- 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $39
- 2 Hours Budapest Walking Tour with A Private Guide: $130
- 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $50
- 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $127
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
- 3-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour in Budapest with Historian: $55
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $133
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $85
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $75
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $115
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $186
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $150
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBudapest $18Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $22
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $39
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
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 Budapest and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Budapest 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 Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa than you might in Budapest.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Budapest or Ottawa?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Budapest 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 Budapest or Ottawa?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Budapest or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Budapest is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Budapest usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBudapest 21°C (70°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Ottawa. The autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBudapest 12°C (53°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Budapest 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 Budapest this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. Budapest is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Budapest usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBudapest -1°C (31°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Budapest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Budapest is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Budapest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBudapest 12°C (53°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Budapest
| Budapest | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.