Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai or Ottawa?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, 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 dayChiang Mai $45Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, 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 Chiang Mai and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $192
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $12
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $12
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Van: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $45
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $24
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Private Car: Chiang Mai Airport Transfers : $25
- Private Arrival Transfer - Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai City Hotel(SHA Plus): $16
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 Chiang Mai or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $10Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.30
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.43
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $27
- Thai and Isaan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $27
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.Chiang Mai $13Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.63
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Kratong Lessons$2.72
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Pedicure$4.08
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.89
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 9 Hours Nature Tour in Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai: $71
- Chiang Mai Thapae Muay Thai Boxing Stadium Ticket: $28
- One Day Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $40
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $79
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $96
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $128
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $150
- 1-Day Bike and River Kayak Adventure from Chiang Mai: $64
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $82
- 10km Rafting with 8Adventures from Chiang Mai Include Pickup & Lunch : $103
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $123
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 dayChiang Mai $6.73Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.55
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 Chiang Mai and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Ottawa?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Ottawa. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Chiang Mai is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.