Getting Around Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada’s capital — easy to reach, easy to explore and ready to welcome the world.
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Just 20 minutes from downtown, Ottawa International Airport (YOW) offers daily direct flights to over 30 destinations, including major international hubs like London and Paris. Air Canada now offers four weekly Dreamliner flights to London Heathrow, while Air France expands its popular Paris route to daily service with an Airbus A350 in June 2025. Porter Airlines adds sunny escapes with seasonal non-stop service to Florida and Las Vegas.
YOW is recognized for its accessibility, with features like accessible washrooms, parking, mobility assistance, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
The airport’s modern glass-and-steel terminal, inspired by Canadian heritage, features Indigenous artwork, water elements, and thoughtful design details.
Getting to the city is easy: Ottawa’s O-Train light rail connects directly from the terminal’s Departures level via the Airport Link (Line 4), with a seamless 15-minute journey to downtown hotels and event venues.
YOW is recognized for its accessibility, with features like accessible washrooms, parking, mobility assistance, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
The airport’s modern glass-and-steel terminal, inspired by Canadian heritage, features Indigenous artwork, water elements, and thoughtful design details.
Getting to the city is easy: Ottawa’s O-Train light rail connects directly from the terminal’s Departures level via the Airport Link (Line 4), with a seamless 15-minute journey to downtown hotels and event venues.
Ottawa VIA Rail
Centrally located at 200 Tremblay Road, Ottawa Station connects the city to Toronto, Montreal, and other major hubs via VIA Rail. The modern station also links directly to Ottawa’s O-Train (Tremblay Station, Line 1), offering seamless access to downtown and event venues.
Ottawa Public Transportation (OC Transpo)
Navigating Ottawa is simple, thanks to its comprehensive and accessible public transit system and walkable downtown. Many hotels, event venues, and attractions are just steps apart, allowing attendees to move easily between meetings, networking events, and experiences without complicated planning.
OC Transpo
Ottawa’s main transit provider, OC Transpo, sees over 360,000 weekday riders—more per capita than any other North American city of its size. Its fleet of 960 buses serves a 159-square-mile urban area and includes bike racks, low floors for accessibility, and rush-hour service to rural villages. Some routes also extend into Gatineau, Québec.
The city’s Transitway—17 miles of dedicated bus-only roads—ensures fast service from suburbs to downtown. Bus fares are C$3.55 for adults, C$1.76 for children aged 6–11, and free for kids under 5. DayPasses and monthly passes are also available.
O-Train
The fully accessible O-Train light rail system features dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers, with audible and visual stop announcements. Line 1 connects key areas, including Tremblay Station (at Ottawa’s main train station) and downtown, with additional connections to the airport via Line 4.
Taxis, Shuttles & Rentals
Taxis are metered at C$3.48 plus C$0.25 increments. Expect about C$40 from the airport to downtown, and around C$20 from the train station. Private airport shuttles and rental cars are also available at Ottawa International Airport, with major companies located near the domestic arrivals area.
OC Transpo
Ottawa’s main transit provider, OC Transpo, sees over 360,000 weekday riders—more per capita than any other North American city of its size. Its fleet of 960 buses serves a 159-square-mile urban area and includes bike racks, low floors for accessibility, and rush-hour service to rural villages. Some routes also extend into Gatineau, Québec.
The city’s Transitway—17 miles of dedicated bus-only roads—ensures fast service from suburbs to downtown. Bus fares are C$3.55 for adults, C$1.76 for children aged 6–11, and free for kids under 5. DayPasses and monthly passes are also available.
O-Train
The fully accessible O-Train light rail system features dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers, with audible and visual stop announcements. Line 1 connects key areas, including Tremblay Station (at Ottawa’s main train station) and downtown, with additional connections to the airport via Line 4.
Taxis, Shuttles & Rentals
Taxis are metered at C$3.48 plus C$0.25 increments. Expect about C$40 from the airport to downtown, and around C$20 from the train station. Private airport shuttles and rental cars are also available at Ottawa International Airport, with major companies located near the domestic arrivals area.
