Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cardiff or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Ottawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cardiff or Ottawa?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCardiff £156Ottawa £98
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is £98. 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 Cardiff and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Ottawa £15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Ottawa £30
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Ottawa £5.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
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
- Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
- Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Cardiff 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
-
Food Meals for one dayCardiff £44Ottawa £14
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Ottawa £32
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute Archery Experience in Llangollen: $19
- 30 Minute Axe Throwing Experience in Llangollen: $19
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Cardiff: $22
- Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen: $76
- Canyoning with Beezra Experiences in South Wales: $89
- Cardiff All in One Walking Tour: $62
- Cardiff Bay Boat Tour: $15
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay: Highlights Private Guided Tour: $188
- Cardiff Bay: Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $38
- Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour: $178
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: $6.57
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.69
- 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
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Ottawa £15
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
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 Cardiff and Ottawa, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cardiff is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°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 Cardiff this time of the year. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.
In October, Cardiff is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Cardiff. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Cardiff during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. Cardiff is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cardiff is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.