Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Ottawa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ottawa or Quebec City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ottawa or Quebec City? 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: Ottawa or Quebec City?
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.
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOttawa $122Quebec City $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Ottawa is $122, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $126. 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 Ottawa and Quebec City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOttawa $18Quebec City $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOttawa $36Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Ottawa and Quebec City
Looking for a hotel in Ottawa or Quebec City? 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: Ottawa Hotel Prices and Quebec City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ottawa $7.21Quebec City $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:
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Parking in Quebec City$3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:
- YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $100
- YQB Airport Transfer: $97
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Quebec City Center - Quebec Airport (YQB): $71
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Quebec Airport (YQB) - Quebec City Center: $71
- Quebec to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Departure Private Transfer: $97
- Quebec city private transfer: $97
- Jean Lesage Arrivals Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $117
- Québec Airport (YQB): Transfer to Le Terminal Quebec Port: $228
- Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $113
- Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Cruise Port -Arrival Transfer: $57
- Private transfer from YQB (QUEBEC) Airport to downtown: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Ottawa or Quebec City?
Prices for flights to both Quebec City and Ottawa 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 dayOttawa $17Quebec City $37
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.
- 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
- Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $193
- Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ottawa $40Quebec City $24
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.42
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.72
- Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Tours and Activities in Quebec City
Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Electric fatbike Tour of Québec City: $112
- Magnificent Montmorency Falls Private E-Bike Tour: $149
- 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec: $29
- APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.73
- Amazing Old Quebec City Classique Walking Tour with 1 Funicular Ticket included: $34
- Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $19
- Beautiful walking tour of Old Québec: $28
- Beyond the Walls Private E-Bike Tour: $179
- Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City: $127
- City & Market Farm Tour from Québec: $34
- Electric Bike Tour of Quebec City: $127
- Extraordinary guided tour of Old Quebec on foot: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOttawa $18Quebec City $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
Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:
- Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
- Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
- Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $93
- Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116
When comparing the travel costs between Ottawa and Quebec City, we can see that Quebec City 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 Ottawa Expensive? and Is Quebec City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ottawa or Quebec City?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Quebec City. When comparing the sizes of Ottawa and Quebec City, 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.
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.