Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Honolulu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Honolulu or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Honolulu and Ottawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Honolulu or Ottawa?
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHonolulu $284Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Honolulu is $284, 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 Honolulu and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHonolulu $183Ottawa $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHonolulu $366Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Honolulu and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Honolulu 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: Honolulu Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Honolulu $26Ottawa $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
-
Rental Car for One Day$35
-
Airport Shuttle for Two$30
-
Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer: Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport or Vice Versa: $199
- VIP Transfer Between Waikiki and Honolulu Airport, Vice versa: $139
- VIP Transfer Between Waikiki & Honolulu Airport, /vice versa: $136
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Honolulu HTL-APT (HNL): $81
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
- Private Transfers between HNL Airport and Honolulu City: $56
- Private Transfer: Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Sedan: $108
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Sedan Car: $108
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 Honolulu or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Honolulu 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHonolulu $53Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
-
Dinner for Two$73
-
Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
-
Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
-
Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
-
Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
-
Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
-
Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Honolulu $40Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Parking for Hike$5.00
-
Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
-
2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
-
1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $80
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 1 Hour Private Luxury Classic Car Sightseeing City Tour Honolulu: $138
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $113
- 3-Hour Adventure in Waikiki Water Park Adventure: $127
- 5 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $145
- 5-Star Oahu Sightseeing with local food & shrimp plate included: $133
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHonolulu $6.47Ottawa $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 Honolulu and Ottawa, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Honolulu or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Honolulu and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Honolulu is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Honolulu average around 81°F (27°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Honolulu usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Honolulu gets 303 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Honolulu usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHonolulu 81°F (27°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Honolulu or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Honolulu as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Honolulu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Honolulu is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Honolulu averages around 80°F (26°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In the autumn, Honolulu often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Honolulu usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHonolulu 80°F (26°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Honolulu or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Honolulu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. In the winter, Honolulu is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Honolulu in January average around 73°F (23°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. Honolulu usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Honolulu gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Honolulu usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHonolulu 73°F (23°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Honolulu or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Honolulu during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Honolulu is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Honolulu average around 76°F (24°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. In the spring, Honolulu often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Honolulu usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Honolulu gets 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHonolulu 76°F (24°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Honolulu
| Honolulu | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.