A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rabat vs. Ottawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rabat or Ottawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rabat and Ottawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Rabat or Ottawa?

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

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 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Rabat?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $43, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $123. 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 Rabat and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rabat $27
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rabat $54
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Rabat 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.

Hotels in Rabat


Hotels in Ottawa


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: Rabat Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rabat $2.10
    Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $145
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Fes: $116
  • Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $264
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $231
  • Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $207
  • Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $207
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $176
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $139
  • Guided City Tour with Transfers: $118
  • 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
  • Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $66
  • Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
  • 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 Rabat or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Rabat 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rabat $12
    Ottawa $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
  • Walking Food Tour: $76
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $76
  • Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $76
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $76
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120

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
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rabat $2.83
    Ottawa $40

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
  • 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
  • Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
  • Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $132
  • From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,924
  • From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
  • From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $720
  • From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
  • Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
  • Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,397
  • Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $83

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: $6.69
  • 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 : $151
  • Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
  • Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rabat -
    Ottawa $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 Rabat and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Ottawa is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa than you might in Rabat.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rabat Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rabat or Ottawa?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Rabat 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 Rabat or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Rabat or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.

In the summer, Rabat is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rabat in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rabat usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rabat 23°C (73°F) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Ottawa. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Rabat is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 20°C (67°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the autumn, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rabat 20°C (67°F) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.

The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Rabat is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 13°C (56°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rabat usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rabat 13°C (56°F) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Rabat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Rabat is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rabat in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the spring, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ottawa. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rabat 16°C (60°F) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Rabat

Rabat Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)