Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or West Palm Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit West Palm Beach or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit West Palm Beach 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: West Palm Beach or Ottawa?
West Palm Beach
One of Florida's most dynamic cities, West Palm Beach encapsulates the best of a metropolitan city all while nestled in the warm serenity of a tropical paradise. Located in southern Florida, about an hour's drive north of Miami, West Palm Beach holds a population of 99,919 and is one of the three main cities in South Florida. This city is known for its unique culture, world-class dining, and extensive shopping districts. From young to old, everyone can find their own niche in such a pleasant, diverse city. No matter what time of the year it may be, you can be assured that it is gorgeously sunny in West Palm Beach!
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWest Palm Beach $330Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in West Palm Beach is $330, 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 West Palm Beach and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWest Palm Beach $234Ottawa $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWest Palm Beach $468Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in West Palm Beach and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in West Palm Beach 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: West Palm Beach Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.West Palm Beach $49Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in West Palm Beach
Also for West Palm Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Palm Beach to Palm Beach Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Palm Beach hotels to Cruise Port of Palm Beach - Departure Private Transfer : $41
- Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) to Port of Palm Beach - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $83
- Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) to Port of Palm Beach - Arrival Private Transfer : $41
- Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach Port - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Departure Private Transfer: Palm Beach to Palm Beach Airport PBI in Luxury SUV: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Palm Beach to Palm Beach Airport PBI in Business Car: $94
- Arrival Private Transfer: Palm Beach Airport PBI to Palm Beach in Luxury SUV: $109
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 West Palm Beach or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and West Palm Beach 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
-
Food Meals for one dayWest Palm Beach $66Ottawa $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in West Palm Beach
For West Palm Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mornings in the Market Food Tour: $75
- Mornings in the Market Food Tour: $75
- Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Food Tour: $85
- Prohibition Dinner & Drinks Tour: $101
- Food Tour of Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhoods: $101
- Prohibition Dinner & Drinks Tour: $101
- Historic Neighborhood Food Tour: $101
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.West Palm Beach $19Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in West Palm Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for West Palm Beach.
- 2-Hour Guided Snorkel Tour of Phil Foster Park, Blue Heron Bridge: $60
- 3 Hour Cruise & Swimming Excursion off Peanut Island Park: $77
- Beginner Scuba Diving Tour With Videos in West Palm Beach: $99
- Beginner Snorkel Tour With Videos in West Palm Beach: $49
- Blue Heron Bridge Guided Snorkel Tour : $90
- Blue Heron Bridge Half Day Reef Snorkeling Adventure With Lunch: $56
- Bulk Candy Store Tour: $13
- Christmas Light Cruise from Jupiter: $75
- Clear Kayak Eco Tour in Jupiter, Florida: $75
- Clear Kayak Tour in Jupiter: $79
- Experience Peanut Island Adventures: $50
- Flamingle Happy Hour Cruise: $40
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayWest Palm Beach $39Ottawa $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 West Palm Beach and Ottawa, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, West Palm Beach is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 82°F (28°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. West Palm Beach gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyWest Palm Beach 82°F (28°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit West Palm Beach or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Ottawa.
West Palm Beach is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 78°F (25°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In the autumn, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWest Palm Beach 78°F (25°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit West Palm Beach or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the cuisine.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in West Palm Beach in January average around 65°F (19°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. West Palm Beach gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWest Palm Beach 65°F (19°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit West Palm Beach or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and West Palm Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the spring for the beaches.
In April, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. In the spring, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilWest Palm Beach 74°F (23°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and West Palm Beach
| West Palm Beach | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | -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.