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

Should you visit Charleston or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston 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.

Charleston

Charleston is a picturesque, charming, and southern coastal town. With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Charleston travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Charleston and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Charleston than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Charleston is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Charleston different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ottawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

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

Charleston is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

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 Charleston or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Charleston is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

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 Charleston or Ottawa Better for Music?

Charleston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Charleston is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is Charleston or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Charleston is revered around the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Ottawa?

Charleston 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 Charleston specifically to go shopping. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

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 Charleston or Ottawa More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charleston or Ottawa Better for Families?

Charleston and Ottawa are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Charleston is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Ottawa is a family-friendly coastal town. 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 Charleston or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

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 Charleston or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.

Is Charleston or Ottawa Better for Students?

Charleston and Ottawa are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Charleston is a good coastal town to visit for students. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Plenty of students visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

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

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Ottawa has a few public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Is Charleston or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Charleston 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.

Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Ottawa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston 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 Charleston.

One day in Charleston or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and food around the welcoming city of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Ottawa?

Charleston 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Charleston or Ottawa?

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

Ottawa, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the picturesque destination of Charleston. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, 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 Charleston and Ottawa, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston 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 Charleston Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston 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 Charleston or Ottawa?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charleston or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Charleston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Charleston is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the summer, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Charleston is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 January, Charleston is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Charleston