Which place is cheaper, Winnipeg or Ottawa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ottawa or Winnipeg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ottawa or Winnipeg? 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 Winnipeg?
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.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its heart is The Forks, a historic site at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, with warehouses converted to shops and restaurants, plus ample green space dedicated to festivals, concerts and exhibits. Nearby, the Exchange District is known for its well-preserved, early 20th-century architecture and numerous art galleries. Rising above the prairie, Winnipeg is a metropolis where you least expect it. Cultured, confident and captivating, it’s more than just a pit stop on the Trans-Canada haul, but a destination in its own right, with a couple of world-class museums and a wonderfully diverse dining scene.
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 $122Winnipeg $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Ottawa is $122, while the average daily cost in Winnipeg is $251. 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 Winnipeg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOttawa $18Winnipeg $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOttawa $36Winnipeg $184
Compare Hotels in Ottawa and Winnipeg
Looking for a hotel in Ottawa or Winnipeg? 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 Winnipeg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ottawa $7.21Winnipeg -
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: $65
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Winnipeg
Also for Winnipeg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrivals Private Transfer from Richardson Airport: $141
- Winnipeg accomodation to Winnipeg Airport (YWG) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Winnipeg One way Private transfer from/to the Airport: $200
- Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
- Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Hotels to Winnipeg Airport: $61
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport to Winnipeg Accommodation : $37
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg Hotels: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Ottawa or Winnipeg?
Prices for flights to both Winnipeg 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 $17Winnipeg $5.40
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 $40Winnipeg $2.52
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: $134
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $86
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $76
- 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
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $13
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Tours and Activities in Winnipeg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Winnipeg.
- Discover Assiniboine Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.21
- Explore The Challenge of Moderninity with Walking Tours in Winnipeg, MB: $6.70
- Louis Riel & Red River Metis Trails Tour: $74
- Manitoba Legislative Grounds: a Smartphone Audio Tour & Trivia Challenge: $5.21
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Winnipeg, MB: $11
- Private City Tour in Winnipeg: $48
- Sights of South Winnipeg Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
- The Forks Historic Site: a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.21
- The Indigenous Residential School Museum Private Tour: $82
- The Sights of South a Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.33
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winnipeg by Operation City Quest: $10
- Walk Downtown Winnipeg with 4 Unique Smartphone Audio Tours: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOttawa $18Winnipeg -
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 Ottawa and Winnipeg, we can see that Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ottawa or Winnipeg?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Winnipeg. When comparing the sizes of Ottawa and Winnipeg, 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 Winnipeg?
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 Winnipeg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ottawa and Winnipeg.
In July, Ottawa is generally around the same temperature as Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Ottawa average around 21°C (71°F), and Winnipeg fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winnipeg this time of the year. In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ottawa usually receives less sunshine than Winnipeg during summer. Ottawa gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ottawa usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOttawa 21°C (71°F)Winnipeg 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Winnipeg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ottawa as well as Winnipeg.
Ottawa is a little warmer than Winnipeg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ottawa averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the autumn, Ottawa often gets less sunshine than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 116 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 147 hours of full sun.
Ottawa usually gets more rain in October than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOttawa 9°C (48°F)Winnipeg 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Winnipeg in the Winter?
Both Winnipeg and Ottawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Winnipeg in the winter. The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. In the winter, Ottawa is much warmer than Winnipeg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ottawa in January average around -10°C (14°F), and Winnipeg averages at about -17°C (2°F).
Ottawa usually receives less sunshine than Winnipeg during winter. Ottawa gets 93 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ottawa usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOttawa -10°C (14°F)Winnipeg -17°C (2°F)
Should I visit Ottawa or Winnipeg in the Spring?
Both Winnipeg and Ottawa during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Ottawa is generally a little warmer than Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Ottawa average around 6°C (44°F), and Winnipeg fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In Winnipeg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Ottawa often gets less sunshine than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 248 hours of full sun.
Ottawa usually gets more rain in April than Winnipeg. Ottawa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOttawa 6°C (44°F)Winnipeg 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Winnipeg and Ottawa
| Ottawa | Winnipeg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -17°C (2°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -14°C (8°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -6°C (22°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | -13°C (9°F) | 19 mm (0.7 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.