Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $106Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $106, 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 Rio de Janeiro and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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.
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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.04Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
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: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
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: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
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 Rio de Janeiro and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa 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. Even though Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Ottawa is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Ottawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Ottawa.
Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in July.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Ottawain July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Ottawain October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. In July, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Ottawain January. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 21°C (70°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in July than Ottawain January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Ottawa.
Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F)in April.
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Ottawain April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.