Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Melbourne or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Ottawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Melbourne or Ottawa?
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 dayMelbourne $179Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $179, 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 Melbourne and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $120Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $240Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $99
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne APT-HTL (MEL): $99
- Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
- Private Airport Transfer in Melbourne: $99
- Mt Buller 1 Day Snow Tour (Direct Transfer To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne): $89
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $198
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 Melbourne or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Melbourne 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 dayMelbourne $31Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.64
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Pizza$4.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
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.Melbourne $28Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Penguin Island Tour from Melbourne Penguins express: $79
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $125
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Eco Tour with lunch from Melbourne: $109
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $810
- 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $66
- 2024 Mt Buller, Melbourne Snow and Sightseeing Day Tour: $92
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek: $40
- 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,504
- 3.5 Hours Group tour Melbourne trouble-makers tour: $44
- 3/4 Day Sports Lovers Bus Tour of Melbourne with Tour Options: $178
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $40
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 dayMelbourne $17Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
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 Melbourne and Ottawa, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Ottawa?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Ottawa?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Ottawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Melbourne or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Melbourne is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Ottawain July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 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 January and JulyMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Melbourne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In April, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Ottawain October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Ottawain October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Ottawain October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Melbourne is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F)in January.
Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Ottawain January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Melbourne is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Ottawain April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawain April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 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 October and AprilMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.