Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul 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: Istanbul or Ottawa?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, 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 dayIstanbul $126Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, 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 Istanbul and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
- İstanbul Airports Transfer Services: $43
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $63
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $46
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $131
- Transfer from Airports in Istanbul to Hotels by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport: Private Transfer Service to Istanbul: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
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.Istanbul $79Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
- Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $75
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
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 dayIstanbul $15Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
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 comparing the travel costs between Istanbul and Ottawa, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Istanbul is in Europe and Ottawa is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Ottawa?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 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 JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Istanbul is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In April, Istanbul is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 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 AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.