Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Charlottesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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: Charlottesville or Ottawa?
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, 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 dayCharlottesville $154Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $154, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $122. 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 Charlottesville and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharlottesville $80Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharlottesville $160Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Charlottesville and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville 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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charlottesville $53Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
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 Charlottesville or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Charlottesville 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 dayCharlottesville $42Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charlottesville $18Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
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 dayCharlottesville $53Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Ottawa, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Charlottesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Ottawa. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.
In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), 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 Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharlottesville 78°F (26°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharlottesville 59°F (15°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. Charlottesville is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharlottesville 36°F (2°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharlottesville 58°F (14°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Charlottesville
| Charlottesville | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | -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.