Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Mystic?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mystic 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 Mystic 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: Mystic or Ottawa?
Mystic
Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, 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 dayMystic $210Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mystic is $210, 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 Mystic and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMystic $125Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMystic $250Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Mystic and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Mystic 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: Mystic Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mystic $56Ottawa $7.21
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 Mystic or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Mystic 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 dayMystic $52Ottawa $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 : $71
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mystic $24Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Mystic
For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
- Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour: $35
- Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
- Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $31
- Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
- Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
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 dayMystic $31Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
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 Mystic and Ottawa, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mystic or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic 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 Mystic 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 Mystic or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.
In July, Mystic is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 73°F (23°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mystic usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMystic 73°F (23°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Mystic during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene.
Mystic is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It's quite sunny in Mystic. In the autumn, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Mystic usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMystic 53°F (12°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mystic is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mystic usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMystic 28°F (-2°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months.
In April, Mystic is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 48°F (9°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In the spring, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Mystic usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMystic 48°F (9°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Mystic
| Mystic | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | -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.