Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Nags Head?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nags Head or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head 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: Nags Head or Ottawa?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
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 dayNags Head $149Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, 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 Nags Head and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40Ottawa $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: $66
- 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 Nags Head or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Nags Head 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 dayNags Head $41Ottawa $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.Nags Head $14Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
- OBX Ghost Tours: $25
- Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
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 dayNags Head $12Ottawa $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Ottawa, we can see that Nags Head 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 Nags Head would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 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 JulyNags Head 78°F (26°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Ottawa.
Nags Head is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Nags Head usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNags Head 62°F (16°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In the winter, Nags Head is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNags Head 41°F (5°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Nags Head during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Nags Head is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the spring, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Nags Head usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 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 AprilNags Head 59°F (15°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Nags Head
| Nags Head | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 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.