Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Ottawa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ottawa or Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ottawa or Victoria? 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
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 $122Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Ottawa is $122, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOttawa $18Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOttawa $36Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Ottawa and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Ottawa or Victoria? 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 Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ottawa $7.21Victoria $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ottawa City hotels to Ottawa Airport YOW: $65
- Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $217
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $72
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $88
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Ottawa or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $17Victoria $27
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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $60
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ottawa $40Victoria $45
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: $6.72
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $116
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $185
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $151
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Rideau Canal Cruise: $36
Tours and Activities in Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Victoria Highlights Private Walking Tour: $276
- 2.5-Hour Tips-Based Walking Tour of Victoria : $5.49
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $77
- 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $167
- 4 Hour Morning Whale Watching Tour: $168
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $205
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $247
- 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $288
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $205
- Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $94
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $327
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOttawa $18Victoria $16
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 Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $47
- Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $89
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $112
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
- Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $146
- Victoria Bachelorette Full Day Guided Wine Tour with 4 Wineries: $156
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $436
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ottawa and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria 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 Ottawa Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ottawa or Victoria?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Ottawa and Victoria, 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 Ottawa or Victoria?
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 Ottawa or Victoria in the Summer?
Both Victoria and Ottawa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Ottawa is a little warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Ottawa averages around 21°C (71°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In July, Ottawa usually receives more rain than Victoria. Ottawa gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOttawa 21°C (71°F)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Victoria in the Autumn?
Both Victoria and Ottawa during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Ottawa is cooler than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ottawa in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Ottawa usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Ottawa gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOttawa 9°C (48°F)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Victoria in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ottawa and Victoria.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In January, Ottawa is generally much colder than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Ottawa average around -10°C (14°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ottawa usually receives less rain than Victoria. Ottawa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOttawa -10°C (14°F)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Victoria in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ottawa as well as Victoria.
Ottawa is cooler than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Ottawa averages around 6°C (44°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Ottawa usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Ottawa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOttawa 6°C (44°F)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Ottawa
| Ottawa | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.