A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Ottawa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Sydney travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Sydney and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sydney than Ottawa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sydney is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Sydney different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa and Sydney. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sydney has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sydney is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sydney has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Sydney just to party. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Sydney or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Sydney is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Families?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Sydney is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sydney, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Students?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Is Sydney or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Sydney can get you around easily. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Sydney or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Sydney is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Ottawa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Sydney than Ottawa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sydney, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Ottawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sydney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Ottawa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ottawa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Ottawa, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Ottawa?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Ottawa?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney 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 Sydney or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sydney is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Ottawain July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Ottawain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sydney is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F)in October.

Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Ottawain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In July, Sydney is generally much warmer than Ottawain January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Ottawain January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ottawain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Ottawa. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

Sydney is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F)in April.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Ottawain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Sydney