Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Sarajevo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sarajevo or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarajevo and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Sarajevo or Ottawa?
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.
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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, 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 daySarajevo $71Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Sarajevo is $71, 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 Sarajevo and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSarajevo $27Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSarajevo $54Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Sarajevo and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Sarajevo 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: Sarajevo Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sarajevo $7.09Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:
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Tram Tickets (for 2)$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo
Also for Sarajevo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from/to Sarajevo - Neum: $178
- Transfer from/to Sarajevo - Belgrade: $290
- Transfer from city of Sarajevo to city of Mostar: $252
- Transfer from Sarajevo to Kotor+Herzegovina tour: $127
- Split Private Transfer Service: $301
- Private Transfer to and from Sarajevo Airport: $25
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Split: $323
- Dubrovnik Private Transfer Service: $301
- Airport transfers and all other transfers 4 people: $27
- Sarajevo ⇄ Mostar / Private Transfer: $205
- Sarajevo to/from Zagreb Transfer Day Tour (North-central Bosnia): $154
- Sarajevo to/from Dubrovnik Transfer Tour via Mostar & Herzegovina: $143
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
- 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: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Sarajevo or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Sarajevo 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 daySarajevo $31Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour with Local Craft Experience: $43
- Traditional Bosnian Dinner with your Host Family: $44
- Traditional Bosnian Dinner with Host Family: $54
- Bosnian Cooking Lessons: $80
- The 10 Tastings of Sarajevo Private Food Tour : $144
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.Sarajevo $12Ottawa $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:
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National Museum (for 2)$7.71
Tours and Activities in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 hours Small Group Old Town of Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Tour Guide: $13
- 4-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour with Food Tastings and Craft Experience: $44
- 8 to 9 Hours Daily Tour To Travnik and Jajce From Sarajevo: $104
- BOSNIAN PYRAMIDS TOUR (nature, history & archeology): $65
- Bijambare Cave & Bosnia Spring Park: Half-Day Tour from Sarajevo: $81
- Bijambare Cave & Bosnia Spring Park: Tour from Sarajevo: $80
- Bijambare Cave Tour : $44
- Bijambare Cave and Spring of River Bosna Tour: $45
- Bosnia's Treasures: 7-Day Private Tour: $1,318
- Bosnian Castles Tour: Sarajevo, Vranduk, Tesanj, Srebrenik: $143
- Bosnian Castles Tour: Vranduk Tešanj Srebrenik from Sarajevo: $134
- Bosnian Kingdom Capitals: Travnik & Jajce Tour from Sarajevo: $142
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySarajevo $7.41Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Sarajevo
Also in Sarajevo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Small-group Wine Tasting Expiriance, with lunch in vineyard: $71
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 Sarajevo and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Sarajevo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sarajevo is in Europe 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 Sarajevo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarajevo Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sarajevo or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Sarajevo. When comparing the sizes of Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo or Ottawa?
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 Sarajevo or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Sarajevo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.
In the summer, Sarajevo is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarajevo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. Sarajevo usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Sarajevo gets 323 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sarajevo usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySarajevo 26°C (78°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sarajevo or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Sarajevo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarajevo for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sarajevo is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Sarajevo average around 17°C (62°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Sarajevo often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. Sarajevo usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSarajevo 17°C (62°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Sarajevo or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarajevo and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Sarajevo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Sarajevo is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarajevo averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Sarajevo usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Sarajevo gets 113 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sarajevo usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySarajevo 6°C (42°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Sarajevo or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sarajevo as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Sarajevo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sarajevo is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarajevo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Sarajevo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sarajevo usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Sarajevo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSarajevo 14°C (58°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Sarajevo
| Sarajevo | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 196 mm (7.7 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.