Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Ottawa?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 dayKyoto $96Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.56Ottawa $7.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $69
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $80
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
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 Kyoto or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $24Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $58
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
- Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $64
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65
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.Kyoto $13Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Historic Gion Tour in Kyoto Geisha Spotting Area: $300
- Bar Hopping Private Tour in Kyoto: $48
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $154
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $134
- "Unlock Kyoto's Charm: Government-Certified Group Tour: $90
- 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $174
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $39
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $66
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $588
- 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $67
- 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $131
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 dayKyoto $12Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
- Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $84
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
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 Kyoto and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Ottawa?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kyoto is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°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, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 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 JulyKyoto 27°C (81°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kyoto is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Kyoto usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKyoto 18°C (64°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Kyoto can be very cold during winter. Kyoto is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Kyoto often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Kyoto usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ottawa. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKyoto 5°C (40°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Ottawa. The spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kyoto is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
Kyoto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 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 AprilKyoto 14°C (58°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.