Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Vienna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vienna or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna 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.
Where Should I go: Vienna or Ottawa?
Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.
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 Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, 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 dayVienna €151Ottawa €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Vienna is €151, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is €114. 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 Vienna and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVienna €94Ottawa €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVienna €188Ottawa €34
Compare Hotels in Vienna and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Vienna 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: Vienna Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vienna €19Ottawa €6.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:
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Bus to Airport€30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna
Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $123
- Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $125
- Private One-Way Transfer to Cesky Krumlov: $635
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Vienna Airport: $75
- Melk Abbey and Salzburg Trip with Private Transfer: $928
- Airport Transfer to/from Bratislava: $86
- Vienna to Budapest - Private Transfer with 2h of Sightseeing: $236
- Vienna Private Transfer from Vienna Airport to City centre: $77
- Vienna Private Airport Transfer: $71
- Vienna International Airport Business Transfer to Vienna City: $142
- Vienna International Airport (VIE) to Vienna Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Vienna Central Cemetery Walking Tour with Transfers : $180
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 Vienna or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Vienna 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 dayVienna €33Ottawa €16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna
For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School: $44
- Naschmarkt Food Tour: $65
- Vienna Naschmarket Food Tour: $66
- Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner With Folk Music: $69
- Naschmarkt Guided Food Tour: $74
- Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise With Music and Dinner: $74
- 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise: $76
- Traditional Dinner Show at the Wiener Rathauskeller: $85
- Schnitzel cooking class with Nicole: $99
- Strauss & Mozart Concert in Kursalon with Dinner: $101
- Strauss Dinner Show: $108
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.Vienna €38Ottawa €37
Tours and Activities in Vienna
For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private themed Tour of the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum):"The Saviour, the Ruler, and Simply a Beauty: Women in Art": $164
- "Girls just want to have Wine" - TUK TUK Sightseeing Tour: $152
- "The Third Man" Film Location Tour: $28
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Vienna with Photography: $99
- 2-Hour Guided Tour in the Footsteps of Princess Sissi in Vienna: $54
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour Helenental Castles Hike from Vienna: $169
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour on Kalenderberg Mountain to Meet History from Vienna: $169
- 2-hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour on Seekopf Mountain, Wachau Valley from Vienna: $169
- 3 hour private walking tour - Vienna: $139
- 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour over Parapluie Mountain with a View of Vienna: $211
- 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour to historic places around Spitz in Wachau Valley: $253
- 3-Hour Walking Tour of Vienna Central Cemetery: $322
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 dayVienna €17Ottawa €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna
Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Vienna: $16
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $16
- City Center Pub Crawl: $27
- Local Pub Crawl Vienna: $27
- Wine Tasting at Traditional Cellar: $34
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Private Wine Cellar: $39
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace: $48
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace with optional Palace Ticket: $49
- Austrian Wine Tasting Experience: $64
- Vienna Historical Highlight City Tour + Wine Tasting: $74
- Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace Entry & Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $91
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 Vienna and Ottawa, we can see that Vienna is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vienna 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 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vienna or Ottawa?
Vienna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vienna is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°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 Vienna. Vienna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vienna usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JulyVienna 23°C (73°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa and Vienna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Vienna is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Vienna usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVienna 12°C (54°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. The weather in Vienna can be very cold. Vienna is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Vienna usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVienna 2°C (36°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Ottawa. The natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.
In the spring, Vienna is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the spring, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Vienna usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 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 AprilVienna 13°C (55°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Vienna
| Vienna | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.