A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Moncton vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

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.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Moncton and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Moncton or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ottawa than Moncton. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space. It is also well known for Parliament Hill.

How is Moncton different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa and Moncton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Moncton or Ottawa?

Ottawa is great for its historical sights. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ottawa. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Is the Food Better in Moncton or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Moncton and Ottawa both to be nice destinations.

Moncton is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is reasonable in both Moncton and Ottawa.

Moncton doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Most people don't head to Ottawa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Moncton or Ottawa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Moncton and Ottawa both offer plenty of nice spots.

Moncton has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Moncton and Ottawa are nice family-friendly destinations.

Moncton offers lots of family activities. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Ottawa is a family-friendly place to visit. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Moncton and Ottawa both nice destinations for a couple.

Moncton is a good city for couples to visit. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Moncton is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Moncton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in town, this is little more than a stopover for most backpackers.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Moncton is not popular with students.

Is Moncton or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ottawa is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Moncton is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Ottawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is generally limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Moncton or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Moncton and Ottawa are nice when it comes to walkability.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Moncton Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Moncton?

How long in Moncton or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Moncton and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ottawa than in Moncton. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Moncton, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Moncton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ottawa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ottawa than Moncton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ottawa that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than Moncton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ottawa.

One day in Moncton or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Moncton. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Ottawa, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Moncton or Ottawa?

Moncton is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Ottawa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Moncton or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moncton. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Moncton or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Moncton. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ottawa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

When comparing the travel costs between Moncton and Ottawa, we can see that Moncton 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. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Moncton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

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.

Should I visit Moncton or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Moncton as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Moncton for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

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.

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. Many visitors come to Moncton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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.

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.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Moncton