Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Manchester?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manchester or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manchester or Ottawa?
Manchester
Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.
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 from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 dayManchester £184Ottawa £98
The average daily cost (per person) in Manchester is £184, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is £98. 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 Manchester and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManchester £71Ottawa £15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManchester £142Ottawa £30
Compare Hotels in Manchester and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Manchester 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: Manchester Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manchester £19Ottawa £5.81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:
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Rail to Airport£11
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Parking in Manchester£3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester
Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Manchester: $8.16
- Private Transfer from Worsley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $60
- Private Transfer from Wigan to Manchester Airport (MAN): $90
- Private Transfer from Trafford Park to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford Quays to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Rochdale to Manchester Airport (MAN): $88
- Private Transfer from Partington to Manchester Airport (MAN): $57
- Private Transfer from Manchester Hotels to Holyhead Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Manchester City to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Wrexham: $234
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Worsley: $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $66
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
- 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 Manchester or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Manchester 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 dayManchester £55Ottawa £14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester
For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $44
- Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $94
- Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $95
- 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
- Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199
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.Manchester £30Ottawa £32
Tours and Activities in Manchester
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.
- SEA LIFE Manchester Admission Ticket: $22
- 3-Hour Manchester Shopping Tour with a Stylist: $118
- 3-day Yorkshire Dales and Peak District Tour from Manchester: $524
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Manchester: $22
- Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Manchester: $51
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $235
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $466
- Chatsworth and Peak District Small-Group Tour from Manchester: $74
- Christmas Charms of Manchester – Private Walking Tour: $569
- City River Tour: $15
- Craft Beer Tour around Manchester: $51
- Craft Brews of Manchester – A Private Beer Tour: $671
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: $6.69
- 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 : $151
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManchester £9.90Ottawa £15
Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $48
- Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $102
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 Manchester and Ottawa, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manchester or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Manchester usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 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 JulyManchester 16°C (62°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Ottawa. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Manchester is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawa. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManchester 11°C (52°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManchester 4°C (39°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city.
In April, Manchester is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 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 AprilManchester 8°C (46°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Manchester
| Manchester | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 78 mm (3.1 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.