A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eugene vs. Ottawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eugene or Ottawa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Eugene and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Eugene or Ottawa?

Eugene

At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Eugene?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Eugene Prices
    USA Prices
    Ottawa Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Eugene $190
    Ottawa $134

The average daily cost (per person) in Eugene is $190, 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 Eugene and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eugene $97
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eugene $194
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Eugene and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Eugene 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.

Hotels in Eugene


Hotels in Ottawa


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: Eugene Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eugene $37
    Ottawa $7.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
  • Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $216
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Eugene or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Eugene 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 day
    Eugene $71
    Ottawa $29
Typical Food Prices in Eugene

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:


  • Sam Bonds Food and Music (for 2)
    $16
  • Morning Glory Cafe Breakfast (for 2)
    $12

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: $76
  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $77
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Guided ByWard Market Food Tour: $106
  • A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $108
  • Taste of Canada Food Tour with Guide: $112

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eugene -
    Ottawa $40

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: $7.16
  • Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $7.16
  • Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $8.35
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.55
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eugene -
    Ottawa $18

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 Eugene and Ottawa, we can see that Eugene 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 Eugene would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eugene 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 Eugene Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Eugene or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Eugene. When comparing the sizes of Eugene 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 Eugene 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 Eugene or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Ottawa. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Eugene is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Eugene in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

Eugene usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Eugene 68°F (20°C) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Eugene or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Eugene is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 55°F (13°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Eugene. In October, Eugene usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Eugene 55°F (13°C) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Eugene or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Eugene during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Eugene is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. Eugene usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Eugene 41°F (5°C) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Eugene or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Ottawa.

In the spring, Eugene is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Eugene in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In April, Eugene usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Eugene 51°F (11°C) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Eugene

Eugene Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 48°F (9°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 51°F (11°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 56°F (13°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (34 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (8 mm) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 63°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (28 mm) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 55°F (13°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 42°F (5°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)