Comparison · Ottawa vs Quebec City · Canada
Ottawa vs Quebec City
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Arctic.gnome assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Choose Ottawa for Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal Skateway; choose Quebec City for Château Frontenac and City walls. Ottawa is generally less expensive, and the two are about 379 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 379 km
- Less expensive
- Ottawa
- Best time for Ottawa
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Quebec City
- June–October
Side by side
| Ottawa | Quebec City | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Canada |
| Known for | Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway and National museums | Château Frontenac, City walls and Winter Carnival |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | June–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$280 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 27°C (81°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -6°C (21°F) | January, -8°C (18°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | YOW | YQB |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Ottawa for…
Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal Skateway. Canada's capital sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River, facing Gatineau, Quebec, across the water. Its compact core holds Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the start of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose downtown stretch freezes…
Choose Quebec City for…
Château Frontenac and City walls. Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec and the only city north of Mexico that still has its fortified walls. Old Québec splits into the Upper Town on Cap Diamant, crowned by the Château Frontenac and the Citadelle, and the Lower Town around…
Top sights compared
| # | Ottawa | Quebec City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parliament Hill | Château Frontenac |
| 2 | Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks | Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade |
| 3 | Rideau Canal Skateway | Quartier Petit-Champlain |
| 4 | ByWard Market | Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires |
| 5 | National Gallery of Canada | La Citadelle de Québec |
Food compared
| Ottawa | Quebec City |
|---|---|
| BeaverTails | Poutine |
| Shawarma | Tourtière |
| Poutine | Pea soup |
| Maple taffy | Maple taffy on snow |
Which is cheaper?
Ottawa is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $170–$280 per person there, against $180–$320 in Quebec City (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Ottawa on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Ottawa and Quebec City are about 379 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Ottawa and 3 in Quebec City.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ottawa or Quebec City cheaper?
Ottawa is usually less expensive: about $170–$280 a day mid-range against $180–$320 (estimates).
+Is Ottawa or Quebec City better for a first trip?
Pick Ottawa for Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal Skateway, or Quebec City for Château Frontenac and City walls.
+How far is Ottawa from Quebec City?
About 379 km in a straight line.