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

Should you visit North Conway or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit North Conway 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: North Conway or Ottawa?

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 North Conway?

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

  • North Conway Prices
    USA Prices
    Ottawa Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    North Conway $270
    Ottawa $134

The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $270, 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 North Conway and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    North Conway $125
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    North Conway $250
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in North Conway 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 North Conway


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: North Conway Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    North Conway $52
    Ottawa $7.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway

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

  • Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $200

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and North Conway 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
    North Conway $110
    Ottawa $29

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.
    North Conway $38
    Ottawa $40

Tours and Activities in North Conway

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.

  • Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
  • Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
  • Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
  • Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $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: $58
  • A Romantic Walking Tour Through Ottawa: $351
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
  • Adventure Rafting on the Ottawa River: $159
  • Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $18
  • Beechwood Cemetery Evening Tour: Tales from the Mausoleum: $23
  • Exceptional Walking Christmas Tour in Magical Ottawa: $458
  • Experience Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour: $73
  • Experience Walking Christmas Tour in Magical Ottawa: $234
  • Family Walking Tour in Special Highlights: $351
  • From Montreal: Private Ottawa Full Day Tour: $286
  • Full Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour - Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau: $132

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    North Conway $33
    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 North Conway and Ottawa, we can see that North Conway 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, North Conway or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 380 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway 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 North Conway 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 North Conway or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Ottawa. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the summer, North Conway is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in North Conway in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In North Conway, it's very sunny this time of the year. North Conway usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, North Conway usually receives less rain than Ottawa. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    North Conway 69°F (20°C) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Ottawa. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In October, North Conway is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 49°F (9°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. North Conway gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

North Conway usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    North Conway 49°F (9°C) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in North Conway. North Conway is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, North Conway usually receives more rain than Ottawa. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    North Conway 21°F (-6°C) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and North Conway during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, North Conway is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in North Conway in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in North Conway. In the spring, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. North Conway gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

North Conway usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    North Conway 43°F (6°C) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and North Conway

North Conway Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°F (-6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 24°F (-5°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 33°F (1°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 63°F (17°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 69°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 49°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 39°F (4°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 27°F (-3°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)