Ottawa Airport Information
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Located about 20 minutes south of downtown on 4,447 acres, Ottawa International Airport sees over 3.5 million passengers each year, making it the 6th busiest airport in the country. As the number of passengers increased in the 1990s, the airport began expanding, opening in a state-of-the-art terminal in 2003, complemented by a new wing completed in March 2008, which now has 30 gates.
For three years running, the airport has ranked 2nd overall among 90 airports that serve fewer than five million passengers in Airports Council International's customer satisfaction survey. Ottawa International offers daily flights to over 30 destinations, including 10 international locations.
Defined by an attractive modern glass and steel terminal, Ottawa International Airport pays tribute to Canada's heritage. Copper and limestone finishes represent Parliament's copper roof and the limestone carved figures and walls inside Centre Block. The huge indoor waterfall and ponds symbolize the region's rivers, while Inuksuks, Inuit stone figures, and a rare traditional birch bark canoe honor Canada's early inhabitants. Travelers can pass the time between flights strolling amongst this beautiful décor, grabbing a bite at one of several eateries or buying souvenirs one of over 10 retail shops. Short-term parking is available at the lot connected to the terminal by covered walkways, and long-term parking is available within walking distance to the terminal.
Airline carriers serving Ottawa International Airport
- Air Canada
- Air Transat
- American Airlines
- Bearskin Airlines
- Canadian North
- Canjet Cargo
- Cargojet
- Continental Express
- Delta Connection
- Federal Express Canada
- First Air
- Northwest Airlink
- Porter Airline
- Skyservice Airlines
- Sunwing Airlines
- Thomas Cook Airlines
- United Express
- US Airways
- Westjet
- Zoom Airlines
Ottawa Train Information
Ottawa Station
Located east of downtown, Ottawa Station was built in 1966 as a replacement to the original 1912 Union Station near the Parliament buildings after the railway tracks were moved. VIA Rail trains run daily to connect Ottawa to Toronto and Montréal, at which point travelers can also connect to trains moving across Canada and to the United States.
Ottawa Public Transportation
OC Transpo
More people in Ottawa utilize public transportation than in any other North American city of comparable size. The main mass transit service in the city, OC Transpo sees an average weekday ridership of 360,000 people.
Buses
OC Transpo's 960 buses, many with bike racks in the front and accessible low-floors for the disabled, service an urban area of 159 square miles. OC Transpo also provides rush hour service to the rural villages of Manotick, Cumberland, Sarsfield, Bearbrook, Stittsville, Stanley Corners and Munster Hamlet. Additionally, a few routes travel to nearby Gatineau, while visitors looking to journey to Québec City can use its bus system, Société de transport de l'Outaouais, which picks up passengers in Ottawa at selected stops. Dedicated bus lanes in downtown Ottawa and on the Queensway, the highway dissecting the city center, and the Transitway, a 17-mile bus-only roadway, ensures speedy access to suburban dwellers.
Regular bus fare is C$1.50 for children ages 6-11 and C$3 for adults. Fare for children under 5 is free and the fare for children ages 6-11 C$1.50. A DayPass, which provides unlimited travel on regular and express routes, is C$6.50 when purchased from a vendor and C$7.25 when purchased on the bus. Monthly passes are also available.
O-Train
The diesel-powered European-style O-Train runs on a limited five-mile track from the Greenboro Station in the south to the Bayview Station in the north, near downtown. Stops include Dow's Lake, Walkley Yard and the airport. O-Train hours and schedule vary based on day and time of year.
Fare is C$2.25. Fare for children ages 11 and under is free. Bus tickets cannot be used as O-Train fare.
YOW Airporter
The bright yellow YOW Airporter shuttles passengers between the airport and downtown hotels. Reservations are needed for hotel pick-up. The shuttle departs Ottawa International Airport five minutes to the hour and 25 minutes after the hour. The first shuttle runs at 5:15 AM and the last shuttle departs at 11:25 PM.
One-way fare is C$8 for children ages 8-14, C$14 for one adult, C$11 each for two adults and C$8 each for three or more adults. Fare for children ages 7 and under is free. Round-trip fare is C$24 for one adult.For more information: 613-260-2359
Rental Cars
Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Alamo rental car companies all service the airport. Rental car counters are located near the domestic baggage claim area on the arrival floor at the airport.
Taxis
Ottawa cab fares are metered at C$2.50 and increase at C$0.25 increments. The rate for a taxi from the airport to downtown is about C$25, while rates from the train station to downtown average C$18.
Distance to...
- Montréal, QC
- Drummondville, QC
- Toronto, ON
- Quebec City, QC
- New York, NY
- 194 km
- 229 km
- 450 km
- 445 km
- 715 km
