Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Ottawa?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Ottawa $7.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
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 Islamabad or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Ottawa $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
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
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 dayIslamabad $2.88Ottawa $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 Islamabad and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Ottawa.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Ottawa.
Islamabad is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. In the winter, Islamabad is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Islamabad during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the spring, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.