Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Denali National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Denali National Park or Ottawa?
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, 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 dayDenali National Park $218Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Denali National Park is $218, 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 Denali National Park and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDenali National Park $116Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDenali National Park $232Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Denali National Park and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Denali National Park 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: Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Denali National Park $76Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
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 Denali National Park or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Denali National Park 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 dayDenali National Park $57Ottawa $17
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.Denali National Park $30Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $119
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $199
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $169
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
- Authentical Denali Tour from Denali Park and Fairbanks: $260
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
- Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
- Denali Self-Guided Jeep Adventure: $244
- Half-Day Denali River Rafting Experience: $229
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 dayDenali National Park $12Ottawa $18
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 Denali National Park and Ottawa, we can see that Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Denali National Park and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Denali National Park is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Denali National Park in July average around 60°F (15°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
In July, Denali National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Denali National Park gets 3.6 inches (92 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 JulyDenali National Park 60°F (15°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Denali National Park as well as Ottawa. The autumn months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In October, Denali National Park is generally much colder than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Denali National Park average around 32°F (0°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Denali National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawa. Denali National Park gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDenali National Park 32°F (0°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. It's quite cold in Denali National Park in the winter. Denali National Park is cooler than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Denali National Park averages around 11°F (-12°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In January, Denali National Park usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Denali National Park gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDenali National Park 11°F (-12°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Denali National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Denali National Park for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. In the spring, Denali National Park is much colder than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Denali National Park in April average around 34°F (1°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
Denali National Park usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Denali National Park gets 1.6 inches (41 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 AprilDenali National Park 34°F (1°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Denali National Park
| Denali National Park | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 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.