Ottawa International Airport Guide (YOW)
Ottawa International Airport is located 10km (6 miles) south of central Ottawa.
Also referred to as Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, Ottawa International Airport serves the capital city of Canada and its surrounding region in southern Ontario. Our Ottawa International Airport guide includes information on terminal facilities, public transport access, and nearby accommodation options.
Information telephones are distributed throughout the terminal building, and there is a transportation and information desk in Arrivals. English and French are spoken.
From central Ottawa, take Bronson Avenue southwards from Queensway (Trans-Canada Highway 417). Bronson Avenue leads directly to Airport Parkway. The total drive time from Ottawa to the airport is approximately 20 minutes.
Public Transport
Bus:OC Transpo (tel: +1 613 741 4390;www.octranspo.com) bus 97 runs at regular intervals from Ottawa International Airport to central Ottawa (journey time: 30 minutes; fare C$3.65). Tickets can be obtained at the Ground Transportation Desk in Arrivals on level 1.
Taxi:Taxis are available outside Arrivals and can also be pre-booked (tel:+1 613 523 1234). The journey time to the city is about 20 minutes, and the fare is approximately C$35, depending on traffic conditions.
Terminal facilities
ATMs can be found on all levels of the terminal building, and bureaux de change kiosks are located on levels 1 and 2.
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Ottawa International Airport, and there are also internet kiosks. Public telephones can be found at various locations within the terminal building.
There is a food court in the public area of level 3, which houses a range of cafés and restaurants. A number of other eateries, snack outlets, and bars are located beyond security, on level 2.
There is a good choice of shops at Ottawa International Airport, offering local products, gifts, electronics, fashion, jewellery and other goods. The majority can be found in Departures on level 2, where there is also duty-free shopping.
A 24-hour luggage storage service (tel: +1 613 523 8880) is available on level 1 (Arrivals), where there is also a lost property office (tel: +1 613 248 2054).
Airport facilities
The airport has four meeting rooms with capacity for up to 16 people. These are available for half- or full-day hire (tel: +1 613 248 2100). More extensive meeting and conference facilities are available at the nearby Southway Hotel and Conference Centre (tel: +1 613 737 0811;www.southway.com). There are also two dedicated lounges at the airport for airline club members.
The three levels of the terminal building are connected by lifts. Among the facilities for physically disabled travellers are accessible toilets, TTY telephones and a pet relief area (for guide dogs) at the south end of the terminal. Accessible vehicles are available from some of the car hire companies located at the airport, and there are designated car parking spaces for disabled badge holders. Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.
Short- and medium-term parking is offered in the main car park, which is a two-minute walk from the terminal at the southern end of the airport. Long-term parking is provided a little further from the terminal building. There is also a free waiting area for drivers collecting passengers. Further parking information is available from the Ground Transportation Desk (tel: +1 613 248 2161).
Car hire companies at Ottawa International Airport include: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National/Alamo. The car hire facilities are located within the short-stay car parking complex.
Hotels
There are no on-site hotels at Ottawa International Airport, but there are a number of hotels in the near vicinity. There is a larger range of accommodation options in the city itself; some of which offer shuttle services to and from the terminal. Assistance with hotel booking is available at the tourist information desk in Arrivals.
As its name implies, this hotel is aimed primarily at the business guest, but being only 1.6 km (1 mile) by courtesy shuttle from Ottawa International Airport, it’s convenient for all types of customer flying in or out of the airport. Dining is available in the hotel's bar and grill, and there’s also an indoor pool and fitness centre. Its business offerings include free Wi-Fi internet access and meeting space for up to 180 delegates.
Five minutes from the terminal by free airport shuttle, the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport features extensive meeting and conference facilities, together with an indoor pool, exercise room and a grill restaurant. All rooms feature a work desk, microwave, refrigerator and free internet access. The hotel also offers ‘park and fly’ car parking packages for guests wishing to leave their car at the hotel.
A modern hotel located roughly 3km (2 miles) from the terminal; the Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport offers a heated saltwater swimming pool, a 24-hour business centre, meeting facilities and a fitness centre. A free airport shuttle service is also available.
This small (36 rooms), family-run hotel is just across the Rideau River from the airport. Facilities are basic, but the hotel is close to a number of restaurants, and is convenient for the city centre.
Boasting a fitness centre with an indoor pool, the Holiday Inn Express is just 1.6 km (1 mile) from the airport. Internet access is complimentary to guests, as is the airport shuttle service, which runs from 0500 to 2300.
A complimentary shuttle ferries guests to and from Ottawa International Airport, which is just over 3km (2 miles) away. The hotel offers a fitness room, a business centre with meeting space and an indoor pool. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
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