Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Ottawa? 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: Saint John's or Ottawa?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 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 daySaint John's $222Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $122. 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 Saint John's and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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: Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Ottawa $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
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 Saint John's or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116
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: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.42
- 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 daySaint John's $18Ottawa $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 Saint John's and Ottawa, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands 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 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Ottawa. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Saint John's is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the summer, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 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 JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Saint John's during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 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 AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.