How to Get From Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa [Updated]

Are you seeking the best options for getting from Ottawa Airport to Downtown? Here we have shared a complete guide that you can use and have a comfortable journey ahead.

Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) to the main downtown Ottawa is a 7.8-mile short trip with so many convenient transportation means. Depending on the budget, you can choose any transportation from public, private, or car rentals.

The Ottawa Airport Bus Service will get you to the Downtown for less than $5 (CAD) which is a good option if you are tight on budget.

But If you want more comfort and privacy then you can go ahead with a taxi from the Ottawa Airport which will take less than 15 minutes to complete the whole journey.

What public transportation options are available from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa?

There are a bunch of public modes of transportation available from Ottawa Airport to Downtown. Here we have covered everything in detail which will help you decide which one is best for you.

Bus [OC Transpo Bus Route 97]

• Timing: OC Transpo Bus Route 97 runs every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day. The service remains available 24/7. Not to mention, in the daytime, it runs every 15 minutes but during the night, you might have to wait for 15 minutes extra as the bus runs after every 30 minutes.
• Duration: Approx. 40 minutes to complete the whole journey.
• Fare: Standard OC Transpo fare ($3.75 for adults, discounts available for students, seniors, and children).
• Route: Departs from the airport terminal and travels directly to downtown Ottawa, making several stops along the way.
• Advantages: Most affordable option, frequent service, convenient pick-up and drop-off locations.
• Disadvantages: May be crowded during peak travel times, and journey time can be longer than other options.

Taxi

• Duration: Approx. 25-30 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions
• Cost: Approximately $30-40.
• Availability: Taxis are always available at the airport.
• Advantages: Fastest option, most direct route
• Disadvantages: Most expensive option, may experience traffic delays.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, KABU)

• Timing: It takes around 20-30 minutes and also it depends upon the traffic scenario in the area.
• Cost: $25-35 (CAD)
• Availability: You can easily book them using the App whenever you want.
• Advantages: More comfort, no need to stop frequently, Save a bit of your time, and drop off at the required location.
• Disadvantage: Quite Expensive

How far is Ottawa Airport from Ottawa City?

The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is not that far from Downtown Ottawa it’s 12.5 km along Route 79 S which makes it a 15-minute drive.

You can see the directions here.

Note: 15 minutes is an Ideal time but it may differ depending upon the mode of transportation you are using. For example, you will save a lot of time if you are using a private car (Car Rentals) than public transportation.

What is the distance between the Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa?

The distance between the Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa is 12.6 km (7.8 miles) along Airport Pkwy and Bronson Ave/Route 79 N.

What is the bus fare from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa?

The Bus Fare for OC Transpo Airport Buse is $3.75 (CAD).

You can easily purchase the bus ticket from the fare machine located near the airport exit. If you can’t find it then no need to worry you can also pay in cash while boarding the bus (Presto Card is also accepted).

*Discounts are available for seniors and students.

Bus Service From Ottawa International Airport to Downtown Ottawa

The bus ride from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa usually takes around 30-40 minutes and covers a distance of 21.4 km. OC Transpo has two airport buses (the 97, and the 6) that can get you from the Airport to reach downtown Ottawa.

97 Bus Service (Cheapest & Best Mode of Transportation)

Bus No. 97 is the Ottawa Airport Bus which operates between Downtown City and Ottawa Airport. The service is available 24*7 and takes around 15 – 30 minutes for a round trip.

If you are boarding the bus in the daytime, you can catch it every 15 minutes, and at night it will be available after 30 minutes. The whole journey from Ottawa International Airport to downtown takes around 40-50 minutes depending on the traffic situation (usually get delayed in rush hours).

Bus 97 transits through Hunt Club (Parkway, McCarthy), Uplands (Hunt Club, Downpatrick, Breadner, Research), King Edward (Osgoode, Somerset E ( A ), Templeton), Hurdman’s Bridge, and Sandy Hill which makes it the best mode of transportation if either has a home or want to explore those neighborhoods.

*Check out the 97 bus schedule and fares here!

Where to look and find the Ottawa Airport Buses?

Generally, OC Transpo buses are on level 1 at the Arrivals terminal of the airport. To board them you just need to find pillar 13 that’s the same point from where one of my friends boarded the bus.

How often does the bus run from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa?

The bus from the Airport to Downtown Ottawa, Route 97, runs every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day. The service is available 24/7. During the daytime, it runs every 15 minutes, and at the nighttime, it runs after every 30 minutes.

Train from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa. However, there are still options for getting from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa by using a combination of train and other modes of transportation:

The best possible option is to board the OC Transpo Route 97 bus to Hurdman Station, it is the most popular option if you want to reach the Airport via Train. The bus runs every 15-20 minutes and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the whole journey.

From Hurdman Station, you need to can take the O-Train Confederation Line directly to downtown Ottawa. The O-Train runs every 15 minutes and takes about 10 minutes to reach Parliament Station.

If you are an adult the whole journey will cost you between $5-10 (CAD) and for children/seniors/students it will cost around $3-7 (CAD).

How do I get from Ottawa airport to Ottawa train station?

The Ottawa Airport is about 13 km away from the Ottawa Train Station. There are three modes of transportation which you can choose (as per your budget) to get from the airport to the train station:

• Bus: Board the OC Transpo Route 97 bus which roughly takes about 30 minutes and will cost you around $3-5 (CAD).
• Taxi: It is the fastest way to Reach the Station from Ottawa Airport but it will cost you around $30-40 dollars.
• RideShare: A rideshare service like Uber or Lyft will take about 15-20 minutes and cost around $25.

Now it’s up to you which mode of transportation you want to take to Reach Ottawa Train Station from the Ottawa International Airport.

How long does it take to get from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa by train?

Firstly, you need to know that there is no direct train that operates between the Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa. To reach Downtown from Ottawa Airport by train, firstly you need to take the 97 Bus to Reach the Train Station.

From the station, you can have several trains to board to reach downtown Ottawa and the whole journey will take about 40 – 60 minutes. Instead of that, boarding the 97 OC Transpo is the best option that you can choose to reach the downtown.

Rideshare (UBER) from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa

Rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, KABU, RideGuru, and TappCar are the fastest modes of transportation if you are in a hurry to reach Downtown Ottawa from Ottawa Airport.

The reason why I mention this is because you don’t have to wait for the bus to arrive. You can book any Rideshare Service as soon as you land at the airport by the time you get out of it your driver will be already there waiting for you.

To get the Rideshare you need to be in the designated area at the Ottawa Airport which is Pillar 12 and 13 on the Arrival level 1. Besides these points, you are not allowed to board the rideshare service from any other location from the Ottawa Airport.

Rental Car Service from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa [Usually Preferred]

If you want to drive yourself then you can go with the car rental option. There are many car rental services in Ottawa from which you can choose. Some popular car rentals are Budget Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and National Car Rental.

The car rental begins with an average price of $40 (CAD) per day. If you are planning to explore the city then I highly recommend you to have a car from these car rentals it allows you to travel and stop anywhere you want.

If you are visiting the city in the peak season then I recommend you to book the Car Rental in advance otherwise you might have to pay hundreds of dollars extra.

Ottawa Airport Taxi Service

Ottawa has a bunch of Taxi operators which includes Blue Line Taxi, Capital Taxi, Rides Are Us, and West Way Taxi.

These are always available just outside the Airport and you don’t have to wait for long. It is the fastest mode of transportation which takes only 15-20 minutes to reach Downtown but it’s not that budget-friendly as compared to the bus.

However, if you want more comfort and privacy then Taxi is a good option to go ahead with.

On average, a taxi from the Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa will cost you between $40 to $50 (CAD) and it also depends on where is your drop-off location in the city. *There is also a $5.56 airport pickup fee added to all taxi fares originating from Ottawa Airport.

Where to board the Taxi From Ottawa Airport?

You can board a taxi from Ottawa Airport at designated taxi stands located at:

• Arrivals Level: You can board the Taxi Outside the Arrivals Hall on Level 1. All you need to do is just Look for the mark as “Taxi stand” and you are good to go.

• Departures Level: Besides the arrival level, you can also board a Taxi Outside the Departures Hall on Level 2.

*Note: Passenger loading is not permitted on Level 2. You will need to take the escalator down to Level 1 to board your taxi.

Which is the Cheapest way to get from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa?

The cheapest mode of transportation to get from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa is by boarding OC Transpo route 97 Bus which charges around $3-5 per adult and covers a total distance of 7.8 miles. Usually, the whole journey takes around 40 minutes but in peak traffic conditions it may take a longer time than expected.

If you are tight on budget then you can go ahead with the Bus Service as it’s quite cheap and safe to travel.

Is there a direct bus between Ottawa Airport (YOW) and Downtown Ottawa?

Yes, OC Transpo (Bus 97 and 6 ) runs a direct bus between Ottawa Airport and downtown Ottawa. The bus service remains available 24*7 which means no matter whenever you land at the airport you will always have transportation service to reach Downtown Ottawa.

But if you have landed in odd hours, then you might have to wait to board the bus.

How far is Ottawa Airport (YOW) from Downtown?

The total distance between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Downtown Ottawa is about 12.6 kilometers or 7.8 miles. It is a 15-20 minute drive if you are traveling in your own vehicle but if you are traveling in a bus then it will take around 40-60 minutes depending on the number of stops it has.

What is the fastest way to reach Downtown Ottawa from Ottawa Airport?

The Fastest way to reach Downtown from Ottawa Airport is by CAR (either renting or your own). It only takes 15-20 minutes to complete the whole distance and provides you with more comfort and privacy.

You will either have a car rental or book a rideshare service that will take not more than 20 minutes to get you to your required location in the city.

How long does it take to get from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa?

The distance between the Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Downtown Ottawa is 12.5 km(7.8 miles) which in turn takes around 15-20 minutes by car and 40-60 minutes if you are using a public mode of transportation.

Rideshare Services like Uber, Lyft, RideGuru, KABU, and Taxis are the fastest and most expensive way to get to downtown Ottawa.

Are there luggage storage facilities at Ottawa Airport?

Yes, Ottawa Airport does have 24/7 luggage storage on Level 1 which is operated by PARS 2000. It costs $5 per bag per day and $8 for an overnight deposit(after 10:00 PM). The facility stores luggage, winter coats, boots, and other personal belongings. The luggage storage facilities are safe and secure and are continuously monitored through CCTV cameras.

How much does it cost to rent a car from Ottawa Airport?

Renting a car from Ottawa Airport depends upon various factors like Company, car type, rental duration, and additional fees.

On average a Car Rental from Ottawa Airport will cost around $30-$100/ per day depending upon which car you have chosen. To get the best deals you need to book the car in advance after comparing all the prices online and choosing off-airport locations to get the car.

Can I book a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft from Ottawa Airport?

Yeah, you can a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft from Ottawa Airport. To board then you need to be in the designated rideshare area which is pillars 13-16 on Level 1 on the Arrival Level.

How much does it cost to park at Ottawa Airport?

There are two types of parking at Ottawa Airport, short-term parking and long-term parking. Here is a table that will help understand it more clearly.

Duration	Short Term Parking PARKADE (P1)	Long-Term Parking (SURFACE LOT)
30 minutes	$5.00 each 30 minutes (up to the daily maximum)	$5.00 each 30 minutes (up to the daily maximum)
24-hour	$25.00	$20.00
7-day	N/A	$92.00
30-day	N/A	$184.00

Final Thoughts: Ottawa Airport to Downtown

So the answer to the best way to get from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa depends upon your budget. If you are on a tight budget and want budget-friendly transportation then OC Transpo Bus 97 is for you. It costs around $3.75 (CAD) and will take around 40-60 minutes to complete the whole journey from Ottawa Airport to Downtown.

But if you are good with the Budget and want the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Ottawa Airport to Downtown Ottawa then you can look for the Taxis and car rental. These will take the least amount of time and allow you to reach the required location in the city.