Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 dayKuala Lumpur $62Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.45Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.16
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.68
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Short Taxi Ride$3.16
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.69
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $73
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $257
- ~Chauffeur: KLIA Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Centre Transfer : $137
- i-City Shah Alam Theme Park Adventure with Return Transfer: $59
- VIP Transfer by Mercedes Benz : Airport to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $75
- VIP Arrival Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $196
- VIP Airport Transfer - Departure: $183
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Kuala Lumpur APT-HTL (KUL): $19
- Transfer To Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort : $30
- Taman Negara Kuala Tahan Transfer Private Hyundai Starex: $120
- Sunway Lagoon: Ticket with Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $88
- Sunway Lagoon: Admission Ticket & 2-Way Transfer: $72
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 to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $15Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.44
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.04
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $29
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Eat Like a Local: Kuala Lumpur Hawker Center and Street Food Tour by Night: $62
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $63
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $64
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.Kuala Lumpur $13Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.49
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $241
- Batu Caves And Countryside Tour: $24
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $188
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- History, Heritage & Culture Of Malaysia Tour: $62
- Ipoh "The Land Of Grace" + Orang Utan Island +Lunch(Guided Tour): $241
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $65
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City & Shopping Tour with Lunch (PRIVATE TOUR): $77
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- Shah Alam Islamic Arts and Culture Tours : $31
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 dayKuala Lumpur $6.25Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.49
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 Kuala Lumpur and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 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 JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Kuala Lumpur during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 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 AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.