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

Should you visit San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a colorful, festive, and fun city. San Antonio offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See San Antonio travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

San Antonio and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Antonio or Ottawa?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Antonio than Ottawa. San Antonio is bigger than Ottawa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Antonio is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Also, San Antonio is famous for The Alamo. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is San Antonio different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Antonio or Ottawa?

Both San Antonio and Ottawa have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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.

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

San Antonio is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

San Antonio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

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 San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio 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 San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

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 San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Music?

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

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio has an old town worth visiting. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and San Antonio.

San Antonio is a great destination for shopping. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ottawa. 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 San Antonio or Ottawa More Beautiful?

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

San Antonio offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The RiverWalk feels almost like a European city and its filled with colors and festiveness.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Families?

San Antonio is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Antonio is a very family-friendly destination. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Couples?

San Antonio and Ottawa both notable destinations for a couple.

San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

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.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa Better for Students?

San Antonio and Ottawa are notable places to visit for students.

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

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

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

Ottawa is a good destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is San Antonio or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Antonio and Ottawa. In our opinion, San Antonio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Antonio than Ottawa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than San Antonio 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.

One day in San Antonio or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Antonio. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Ottawa. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in San Antonio or Ottawa?

San Antonio 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in San Antonio or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Antonio. 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.

The welcoming city of Ottawa offers museums and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in San Antonio or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the colorful destination of San Antonio. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Ottawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in 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 San Antonio and Ottawa, we can see that San Antonio 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 San Antonio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Antonio 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 San Antonio Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Ottawa?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Ottawa. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, San Antonio is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 87°F (31°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In the summer, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

San Antonio is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 73°F (23°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Antonio or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and San Antonio during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, 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. In the winter, San Antonio is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Antonio in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Ottawa. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 74°F (23°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Ottawa. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and San Antonio