Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Dublin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dublin or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Ottawa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dublin or Ottawa?
Dublin
Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.
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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, 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 dayDublin €143Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Dublin is €143, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is €114. 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 Dublin and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDublin €68Ottawa €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDublin €136Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Dublin 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: Dublin Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dublin €19Ottawa €6.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:
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Rental Car for a Day€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:
- The Westin Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport Private Chauffeur Transfer: $167
- The Marker Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport To Private Chauffeur Transfer: $155
- The Croke Park Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport Private Chauffeur Transfer: $179
- Shannon: Private Airport Arrival Transfer to Dublin: $619
- Private transfer service from Dublin to Galway: $499
- Private transfer service from Dublin to Belfast: $431
- Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $103
- Private Transfer: Dublin Airport DUB to Dublin in Business Car: $103
- Private Transfer from Navan to Belfast Airport (BFS): $272
- Private Transfer from Dundalk to Belfast Airport (BFS): $178
- Private Transfer from Dun Laoghaire Port to Dublin Airport (DUB): $46
- Private Transfer from Dublin city to Dun Laoghaire Cruise Port: $46
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Dublin 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 dayDublin €49Ottawa €16
Typical Food Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:
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Lunch Lynam's Pub€3.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.
- Discover the Flavors of Dublin on a Guided Street Food Tour: $30
- Dublin 3-Course Dinner and Live Shows at The Irish House Party: $31
- No Diet Club - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $59
- Dublin Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $60
- NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $62
- Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $72
- Delicious Walking Food Tour: $81
- Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $82
- Dublin Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $87
- Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $96
- Bread, Beer & Bia: Irish Cooking Class & Dinner in Dublin: $99
- Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner in Central Dublin: $106
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.Dublin €25Ottawa €37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin
Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Wild Wicklow Tour€26
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Guinness Brewery for Two€27
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St Pauls Cathedral€4.50
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Dublin Writer's Museum€6.30
Tours and Activities in Dublin
Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
- (Small Group) Cliffs of Moher and Castle Tour from Dublin: $141
- 1-Hour Cocktail Masterclass Experience in Dublin: $49
- 2 Hours Senior’s Historical Private Walking Tour of Dublin : $193
- 2-Day Southern Ireland Tour from Dublin:Including Blarney and Cliffs of Moher: $217
- 2-Day Wild Atlantic Way Tour From Dublin: $217
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour from Dublin : $21
- 3-Hour Drinks on Foot Dublin Walking Guided Tour: $30
- 4-Day Grand Atlantic Rail Tour from Dublin: $1,181
- 5-Day Tour of West Ireland: Blarney Stone & Cliffs of Moher: $1,461
- 6-Day Tour of Southern Ireland from Dublin: $946
- A Guided Walking Tour of Trinity College Campus: $17
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: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- 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
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDublin €17Ottawa €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin
Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Authentic Brewery Tour: $11
- Generation Pub Crawl: $15
- Dublin Epic Pub Crawl: Experience Dublin's pubs and nightlife: $15
- "Dublin Delight Pub Expedition" Pub Crawl: $16
- The Dublin Liberties Distillery: Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $18
- The Dublin Liberties Distillery - Guided Tour and Whiskey Tasting: $19
- Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $22
- Exclusive Brewery Tour and Tasting at Kildare Brewing Co, Sallins: $22
- Skip the Line: Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting in Dublin Ticket: $22
- The Black Experience Pub Tour: $22
- City Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $24
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 Dublin and Ottawa, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dublin or Ottawa?
Dublin has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dublin is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dublin in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Dublin usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDublin 16°C (60°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In October, Dublin is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 11°C (52°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dublin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDublin 11°C (52°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Dublin during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. Dublin is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Dublin usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDublin 6°C (42°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Ottawa. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.
In the spring, Dublin is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dublin in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dublin usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDublin 8°C (47°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Dublin
| Dublin | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 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.