Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Mystic?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mystic 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.
Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Mystic travel costs.
Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Ottawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa and Mystic. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Mystic or Ottawa.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Mystic. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.
Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Mystic and Ottawa can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ottawa. 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.
Mystic 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 Mystic. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.
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.
Mystic is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.
Mystic is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.
Ottawa is not a beach destination.
Mystic is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.
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.
Mystic is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Mystic. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. 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.
Mystic and Ottawa both notable destinations for a couple.
Mystic is a nice destination for couples. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.
Ottawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.
Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.
Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.
Ottawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.
Plenty of students visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.
Mystic is not popular with students.
Ottawa is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.
Ottawa has some public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.
Ottawa is a good destination for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.
Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.
Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.
For even more information, also check out Is Mystic Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mystic and Ottawa. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Mystic than Ottawa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Mystic, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Mystic than Ottawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mystic that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than Mystic 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 Ottawa.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Mystic. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ottawa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Mystic 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.
Ottawa 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mystic. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Mystic. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mystic is $248, 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 Mystic and Ottawa in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Mystic 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.
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Mystic 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.
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mystic and Ottawa, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic 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.
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.
Both Ottawa and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Mystic is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 73°F (23°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mystic usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Ottawa and Mystic during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Mystic is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It's quite sunny in Mystic. In the autumn, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
Mystic usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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. Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mystic is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mystic usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months.
In April, Mystic is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 48°F (9°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In the spring, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Mystic usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Mystic | Ottawa | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |