Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Tucson?
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 Tucson or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Ottawa?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
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 Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesOttawa Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Ottawa $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, 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 Tucson and Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Tucson 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: Tucson Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Ottawa $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 Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $218
- Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Tucson 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 dayTucson $63Ottawa $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: $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.Tucson $16Ottawa $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: $160
- 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: $236
- 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: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Ottawa $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 Tucson and Ottawa, we can see that Tucson 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 Tucson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tucson 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Tucson 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.
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.