Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Ottawa?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, 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 dayTokyo $157Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, 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 Tokyo and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $77Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $154Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Ottawa $7.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Private airport transfer]Haneda Airport (HND)⇔Tokyo City: $155
- Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels: $152
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $340
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Toyko HTL-APT (NRT): $284
- Transfer in private vehicle from Tokyo Narita Airport to City Center: $90
- Transfer in private vehicle from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $90
- Transfer in private minivan from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $110
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Tokyo Narita Airport to City Center: $110
- Tokyo:Haneda Airport (HND) Private One-Way Transfer to Tokyo: $129
- Private transfer to/from Yokohama Osanbashi Port: $196
- Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Narita Airport: $234
- Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Haneda Airport: $141
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- 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 Tokyo or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $37Ottawa $17
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.23
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.23
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Meal at Airport$6.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
- Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji 90-Minute cooking class: $54
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class！ Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $65
- Japanese Home Cooking Class near Tokyo Disneyland: $66
- 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $67
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.Tokyo $69Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Private Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $100
- Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
- Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $100
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- Tokyo Full Day Tour With Guide and Foods Included: $275
- “Your name.” Going on an electric bicycle <Roppongi, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku> A 6-hour tour of a sacred place. (With support car): $137
- "Nippori Fabric Town" Walking Tour: $41
- *Starting / Ending at Your Hotel* 3hr Private E-bike Tour Tokyo: $134
- 1 Day Bus Tour To Mitsumine Shrine From Shinjuku: $88
- 1 Day Tokyo Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $500
- 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $490
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $147
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: $6.68
- 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 : $150
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $80
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $92
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $98
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $105
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $137
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $233
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 Tokyo and Ottawa, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Ottawa?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tokyo is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 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 JulyTokyo 26°C (78°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Ottawa. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In the autumn, Tokyo is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTokyo 18°C (64°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTokyo 5°C (42°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Tokyo is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 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 AprilTokyo 14°C (58°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.