Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dayton or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton 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: Dayton or Ottawa?
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Dayton Prices
USA PricesOttawa Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $368Ottawa $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $368, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $134. 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 Dayton and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Dayton 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Ottawa $7.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
- Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Dayton 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 dayDayton $105Ottawa $29
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $77
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $78
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
- Guided ByWard Market Food Tour: $107
- A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $108
- Taste of Canada Food Tour with Guide: $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Ottawa $40
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
- Rockcliffe Exploration Game and Tour: $7.20
- Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $7.20
- Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $8.40
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.61
- Ottawa Valleyview Little Animal Farm Tour: $10
- Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour: $18
- Ottawa : Historic Tour of the Ottawa Jail Hostel: $18
- Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $18
- Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Chelsea: Guided tour of the Square Distillery: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Ottawa, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Dayton Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton or Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Dayton is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°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 Dayton. In the summer, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ottawa. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Ottawa. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Dayton is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Ottawa. 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. The weather in Dayton can be very cold. In January, Dayton is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ottawa. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Dayton is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Dayton
| Dayton | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 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.