Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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: Malaga or Ottawa?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, 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 dayMalaga €140Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is €114. 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 Malaga and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Ottawa €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Ottawa €6.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Nerja: $131
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $55
- Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $164
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
- Private transfer from Malaga airport to hotels on the Costa del Sol: $109
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from/to Motril to/from Malaga with private driver: $159
- Private Transfer from airport to Malaga : $69
- Private Transfer from Torrequebrada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torrenueva (Mijas) to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
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 Malaga or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Ottawa €16
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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.Malaga €31Ottawa €37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $153
- Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $240
- Ronda group walking Tour: $27
- Sealife Benalmadena Entrance Ticket: $21
- Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
- 1 Hour Malaga Panoramic Segway Tour : $38
- 1 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $98
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
- 2 Hour Buggy Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $142
- 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $164
- 2 Hours Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $126
- 2-Hour French Guided Walking Tour in Malaga: $20
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 dayMalaga €22Ottawa €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
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 Malaga and Ottawa, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe 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 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
In the summer, Malaga is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 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 JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Malaga is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Malaga is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 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 AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Malaga
| Malaga | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.