Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Moncton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moncton 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 Moncton 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: Moncton or Ottawa?
Moncton
Moncton is the largest city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Located in the Petitcodiac River Valley with access to the Bay of Fundy, and, by extension, the Atlantic Ocean, Moncton is also at the geographic center of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Today, the city's most famous attraction is Magnetic Hill, though there are also plenty of parks, museums, galleries, theatres, and other venues for entertainment.
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 Camping Tours in Canada, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoncton $107Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Moncton is $107, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $122. 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 Moncton and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoncton $29Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoncton $58Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Moncton and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Moncton 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: Moncton Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moncton -Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- 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 Moncton or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Moncton 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 dayMoncton $56Ottawa $17
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 : $72
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moncton $79Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Moncton
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Moncton.
- Moncton Self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Moncton, NB: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
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: $134
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $86
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $76
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.72
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $116
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $185
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $151
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $13
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoncton $4.54Ottawa $18
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 comparing the travel costs between Moncton and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moncton Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moncton or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Moncton 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 Moncton 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 Moncton or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Moncton and Ottawa.
Moncton is cooler than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Moncton averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Moncton usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Moncton gets 103 mm (4 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 JulyMoncton 19°C (66°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Moncton or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Moncton as well as Ottawa.
In the autumn, Moncton is cooler than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Moncton in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Moncton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Moncton usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Moncton gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoncton 8°C (46°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Moncton or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Moncton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Moncton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Moncton is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Moncton average around -8°C (17°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
It's quite rainy in Moncton. In January, Moncton usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Moncton gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoncton -8°C (17°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Moncton or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Moncton during the spring are popular places to visit.
Moncton can be very cold during spring. Moncton is much colder than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Moncton averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. Moncton usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Moncton gets 101 mm (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 AprilMoncton 3°C (38°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Moncton
| Moncton | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -8°C (18°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 126 mm (5 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.