Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai 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 Dubai and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Ottawa?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 dayDubai $248Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, 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 Dubai and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yellow Boat Tour Dubai with Private Transfers: $95
- Yellow Boat Tour Dubai With Private Transfers: $102
- Yellow Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfers: $110
- Xline Dubai Marina Zipline Experience With Transfers Option: $243
- Xline Dubai Marina Zipline Experience Dubai with Transfers Option: $247
- Wild Wadi tickets with Transfers: $100
- Wild Wadi Waterpark tickets with Private transfer: $154
- Wild Wadi Waterpark Entrance Ticket -Dubai with Transfers Option: $99
- Wild Wadi Waterpark Dubai Ticket With Private Transfer: $125
- Wild Wadi WaterPark Ticket with Optional Transfers and Meal: $78
- Wild Wadi Water Park Ticket with Transfer from Dubai: $131
- Wild Wadi Dubai water park Ticket with 1 way transfer in Dubai: $110
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 Dubai or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.53
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Dinner Cruise Al-Seef: $12
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
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.Dubai $19Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- 60 Minutes Dubai Yellow Boat Marina Tour: $78
- Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Ticket : $170
- Bur Dubai Abra Tour and Boat Ride with Museum of Illusions : $135
- Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
- Classical Dubai Highlights City Tour : $44
- DXB Tour and Aquaventure water park & lost Chambers PRIVATE tour: $215
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with Breakfast: $105
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Explorer Tickets: $95
- Dubai City Tour : Half Day: $45
- Dubai City Tour(Full Day) with Burj Khalifa Ticket 'At the Top' : $225
- Dubai Frame Entry Ticket: $22
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 dayDubai $23Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
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 Dubai and Ottawa, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Ottawa?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dubai or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.
It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is much warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Ottawa. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Dubai is January to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dubai is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Dubai
| Dubai | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°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.