Which place is cheaper, Saskatoon or Ottawa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ottawa or Saskatoon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ottawa or Saskatoon? 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 Saskatoon?
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.
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city straddling the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan, Canada. Saskatoon is full of hidden treasures. Head into the downtown core and inner neighborhoods to get the best feel of this vibrant city. The majestic South Saskatchewan River winds through downtown, offering beautiful, natural diversions. Beautiful parks and riverside walks help you make the most out of long, sunny summer days. There are plenty of great spots to stop for a refreshing drink and a chat with locals. Saskatoon also has a proud heritage of local rock and country music and a vibrant live-music scene. If you only have time for one Saskatchewan stop, Saskatoon might just be the place for you.
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 $122Saskatoon $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Ottawa is $122, while the average daily cost in Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOttawa $18Saskatoon $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOttawa $36Saskatoon $108
Compare Hotels in Ottawa and Saskatoon
Looking for a hotel in Ottawa or Saskatoon? 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 Saskatoon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ottawa $7.21Saskatoon $32
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 Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Ottawa or Saskatoon?
Prices for flights to both Saskatoon 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 $17Saskatoon $31
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.Ottawa $40Saskatoon $17
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.19
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.40
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.40
- 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
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Saskatoon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saskatoon are as follows:
- Saskatoon, Canada: 8-hour tour to view Whooping Cranes: $683
- Birdwatching Tour in President Murray Park: $69
- Dancing Grouse Photography Tour: $400
- Donna Birkmaier Park Birding and Walking Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOttawa $18Saskatoon $9.61
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 Ottawa and Saskatoon, we can see that Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ottawa or Saskatoon?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saskatoon. When comparing the sizes of Ottawa and Saskatoon, 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.