Car Rental in Ottawa
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 06:54 on 2021-01-27. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English,
French
French
Currency
CAD
Country code
1
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
60 - 100 km/h
37 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
30 - 80 km/h
19 - 50 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.0–0.15%
Why rent a car in Ottawa?
Ottawa is a great place for renting a car - the vastness of the city means it is best explored with your own wheels. There’s plenty to enjoy here, too, from interesting architecture to classy museums and large public parks. With a rental car, nearby Montreal or Quebec and Ontario’s beautiful national parks are also within your reach.
One-Way Car Rentals in Ottawa
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Ottawa and drop off in another city include:
- From Ottawa to Toronto - 34 offers from US$ 84.17 per day
Top ways to enter Ottawa
- Ottawa Airport: Although not as large as some other airports in Eastern Canada, flying here is still the most convenient way to reach the capital city. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport handled over five million travelers in 2018 and provides flights to all the largest cities in Canada, the United States, and beyond. Located 13 km (8.1 mi) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
- Montreal Airport: Located just 184 km (114 mi) east of Ottawa, Montreal-Trudeau Airport has flights to and from many destinations in North America, as well as in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The airport is expected to handle 20 million travelers in 2019 for the first time in its history.
- Toronto Pearson Airport: With 49 million served passengers in 2018, Toronto Airport is by far the largest in Canada and one of the busiest in the Americas. A hub for Air Canada, West Jet, and a number of other companies, the airport has flights to and from all inhabited continents of the world. Located 460 km (285 mi) southwest of Ottawa, Toronto Airport can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Useful city facts
- Ottawa has a humid continental climate with warm summers, cold winters, and four separate seasons. The average high temperature in 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in July, the warmest month, and -5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in January, the coldest. Ottawa has a rather high precipitation throughout the year. It’s quite rainy from May to October; in winter, the city experiences a lot of snowfall.
- Although Ottawa is Canada’s capital, it is only the fourth most-populated city in the country. Around 930,000 people live in the city proper, with an additional 400,000 inhabiting the larger metropolitan area. A culturally and linguistically diverse city, Ottawa is home to diasporas from all over the world; many indigenous Canadians also live in the city.
- Ottawa borders Gatineau, a city in the Quebec region that is just across the Ottawa River. Together they form the National Capital Region. Unlike Ottawa, Gatineau is overwhelmingly French-speaking.
Top destinations and activities
- Parliament Hill. Located in the very center of the city and overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the number one landmark of Canada's capital. Here you can visit Parliament of Canada, House of Commons, the Senate, and the recently renovated Library of Parliament.
- Canada Museum of Nature. Full of artefacts, fossils, and fascinating stories, this modern and interactive museum is the best place to learn about Canada's history, geology, and animals.
- National Gallery. Worth visiting for its unique building alone, the National Gallery is home to some of Canada's finest artworks, from traditional to contemporary, and also houses the paintings and sculptures by some famous international artists.
Traffic and parking tips
- The speed limits vary between different roads. The general limits are 90 km/h to 110 km/h on motorways and outside cities and from 30 km/h to 50 km/h inside cities.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05%. Driving under influence exceeding the limit is a criminal offence and can lead to hefty fines, a driving ban, and even imprisonment.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- Using the mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The rule is strictly imposed with high fines.
- The phone number for emergencies is 112.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads in Canada.
Ontario Highway 407 is toll road for which you can only pay electronically. As you will be driving a rental car, the bill will be automatically sent to your rental car provider. The exact fee will depend on how long will you drive along this road. Some rental providers do include an additional toll charge fee. Do get in touch with your rental car provider in advance to find out more. Visit the official Highway 407 website to find out more information about fees and payment methods.
Highway 412 is another toll road in Ontario. It is part of the same toll system as the Highway 407. The exact fee will depend on the time of the day and the day of the week of your travel, as well as the length of your travel along this road.
There are some other toll roads in Ontario. Do look them up in advance depending on your planned route.
In the rest of Canada, payment method and fees differ for different toll roads. It is best to look them up in advance, finding the information for each province in which you plan to travel. You can also use a toll calculator to calculate the approximate fees for your upcoming ride.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Montreal. The capital of French-speaking Canada, nearby Montreal is one of the most interesting cities of North America thanks to its unique history, culture, and atmosphere.
- Algonquin Provincial Park. This nature area is about 240 km (150 mi) from Ottawa, but the rather long road is nevertheless worth traveling. The park is home to countless fauna and flora species associated with Canada, from moose, white-tailed deer, and great grey owls to sugar maple.
- Gatineau. Just across the river, Gatineau's main attraction is the famous Canadian Museum of History. Previously called Canadian Museum of Civilization, it tells the long story of human settlement in Canada, from First Nations migrating on the Bering Strait to Vikings settling on the eastern coast and Western European colonists arriving 500 years ago.
Most popular rental types and cars
The most picked rental car in Canada is the Kia Rio, although travelers also love the Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue. The most popular rental car types are economy, intermediate, and fullsize. The latter can be a good choice if you plan to travel outside Ottawa and into nature areas.
Further destinations
- Toronto. About five hours drive away, Ontario's largest city is a great place to visit thanks to its unique neighborhoods, bustling arts scene, and hip atmosphere.
- Quebec City. There's more to this province than Montreal, from the even more French-feeling Quebec City to cozy little towns and beautiful nature areas.
- New York City. The bustle of NYC might seem like a world away from Ottawa in terms of atmosphere, but the Big Apple is just seven hours drive south. Note that if you'd like to travel from Ottawa to New York City, you'll have to cross a national border, so make sure to first ask your rental car provider if they permit it.
Car Rental Prices in Ottawa
- Large cars - from $85 per day
- Medium cars - from $74 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $76 per day
- Premium cars - from $85 per day
- Small cars - from $71 per day
- SUVs - from $64 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
Follow these tips to get a good rental car deal in in Ottawa:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Ottawa is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 16 Cities near Ottawa
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Toronto Car Rentals from $20.43 per day363.5 km / 225.9 miles away
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Montreal Car Rentals from $59.27 per day151.5 km / 94.1 miles away
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Mississauga Car Rentals from $20.76 per day365.9 km / 227.3 miles away
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Quebec City Car Rentals from $62.36 per day368.1 km / 228.7 miles away
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Halifax Car Rentals from $54.40 per day951.2 km / 591.0 miles away
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London Car Rentals from $54.69 per day505.7 km / 314.2 miles away
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Hamilton Car Rentals from $43.65 per day415.3 km / 258.1 miles away
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Windsor Car Rentals from $54.69 per day675.5 km / 419.7 miles away
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Dieppe Car Rentals from $62.36 per day857.1 km / 532.6 miles away
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Saint John Car Rentals from $77.37 per day764.2 km / 474.8 miles away
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Kingston Car Rentals from $31.09 per day142.6 km / 88.6 miles away
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427.5 km / 265.7 miles away
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Sarnia Car Rentals from $54.69 per day589.0 km / 366.0 miles away
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Mont-Tremblant Car Rentals from $22.80 per day139.0 km / 86.4 miles away
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341.5 km / 212.2 miles away
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Whitby Car Rentals from $91.51 per day303.2 km / 188.4 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Ottawa
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Ottawa Airport Car Rentals from $21.12 per day12.2 km / 7.6 miles away
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Mont-Tremblant International Airport Car Rentals from $22.80 per day129.4 km / 80.4 miles away
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Montreal Airport Car Rentals from $59.27 per day152.1 km / 94.5 miles away
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Kingston Airport Car Rentals from $31.09 per day152.2 km / 94.6 miles away
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Toronto Scarborough Car Rentals from $29.02 per day339.9 km / 211.2 miles away
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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Car Rentals from $115.08 per day355.7 km / 221.0 miles away
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Quebec City Airport Car Rentals from $62.36 per day364.0 km / 226.2 miles away
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Toronto Airport Car Rentals from $20.43 per day368.1 km / 228.7 miles away
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Hamilton Airport Car Rentals from $43.65 per day420.8 km / 261.5 miles away
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London International Airport Car Rentals from $54.69 per day510.1 km / 317.0 miles away
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London Train Station Car Rentals from $98.24 per day519.8 km / 323.0 miles away
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Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Car Rentals from $54.69 per day592.5 km / 368.2 miles away
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Windsor International Airport Car Rentals from $54.69 per day679.7 km / 422.4 miles away
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Saint John Airport Car Rentals from $77.37 per day765.1 km / 475.4 miles away
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Greater Moncton International Airport Car Rentals from $62.36 per day856.7 km / 532.3 miles away
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Halifax Port Car Rentals from $54.40 per day952.9 km / 592.1 miles away
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Thunder Bay International Airport Car Rentals from $50.85 per day1084.5 km / 673.9 miles away
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Sydney Airport Car Rentals from $133.80 per day1213.4 km / 754.0 miles away
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Gander International Airport Car Rentals from $70.62 per day1637.3 km / 1017.4 miles away
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Winnipeg Airport Car Rentals from $62.36 per day1681.9 km / 1045.1 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Ottawa?
Car rental prices in Ottawa vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Ottawa
The best month to rent a car in Ottawa is March (when prices for an Economy class start from $23.78). This is 52% cheaper than the yearly average and 66% cheaper than renting in June (when rental prices start at $69.42 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Ottawa?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in October, travelers rent a car for an average of 8 days in January, the average rental period is 4 days.
Average Rental Length in Ottawa
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Ottawa?
While travelers visit Ottawa year-round, the most popular month for renting a car is March, and the least popular is August.
Popularity of Car Rental in Ottawa by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Corolla Sedan | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Kia Rio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Dodge Caravan | 4 | 4 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Yaris Advance | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Jeep Wrangler | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Chevrolet Spark | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
Our Customers Reviews
KM
Canada
Honda Civic
August 15, 2019
Just plan for a bit of time to go there.
HC
United States of America (USA)
Jeep Cherokee
February 11, 2019
Fairly small city. Lots of historical buildings. People are friendly and you don't have to speak French like you do in Quebec or Montreal.
RG
Canada
Jeep Cherokee
January 25, 2019
Great place to see and you need to rent a car so you can go and do things at your own pace
JP
Germany
Toyota Yaris Advance
January 2, 2019
make sure you get a rental right at the aiport!
WL
Canada
Kia Rio
October 9, 2018
Ottawa is a fantastic destination. A car is handy for side trips to places like the Gatineau or Merrickville
KJ
Canada
Kia Rio
September 20, 2018
Did not see much of Ottawa as we were just visiting family there. We drove about an hour away visiting Perth, Newboro and Elgin and other areas in the Rideau Lakes district. We really enjoyed the beauty of the countryside. We had our folding bikes along enabling us to enjoy part of the Cataraqui trail (former railbed). It was a very good experience.
Top 12 Suppliers in Ottawa in 2021
Alamo
+16137377264
1003 Airport Parkway Private, Ottawa, Ontario
National
6137377023
1003 AIRPORT PARKWAY PRIVATE,
NUCarrentals
6135233003
2644 LEITRIM RD.
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
+16135233003
2644 Leitrim Rd. Ottawa, K1T3V3
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:30
Tue:08:00-21:30
Wed:08:00-21:30
Thu:08:00-21:30
Fri:08:00-21:30
Sat:08:00-18:00
Sun:08:00-18:00
Discount
+16136679394
1749 Bank St, Ottawa
Working hours
Mon:07:30-21:00
Tue:07:30-21:00
Wed:07:30-21:00
Thu:07:30-21:00
Fri:07:30-21:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:09:00-17:00
Avis
+16137393334
1003 Airport Parkway Private Ottawa International Airport
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:15
Tue:08:00-23:15
Wed:08:00-23:15
Thu:08:00-23:15
Fri:08:00-23:15
Sat:08:00-19:00
Sun:09:00-22:00
Budget
+16135214844
1003 Airport Parkway Ottawa International Airport
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:15
Tue:08:00-23:15
Wed:08:00-23:15
Thu:08:00-23:15
Fri:08:00-23:15
Sat:08:00-19:00
Sun:09:00-22:00
Alamo
6137377264
1003 Airport Parkway Private
Working hours
Mon:07:30-23:30
Tue:07:30-23:30
Wed:07:30-23:30
Thu:07:30-23:30
Fri:07:30-23:30
Sat:07:30-23:30
Sun:07:30-23:30
Thrifty
6132388000
1003 Airport Parkway Private
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:30
Tue:08:00-23:30
Wed:08:00-23:30
Thu:08:00-23:30
Fri:08:00-23:30
Sat:08:00-16:00
Sun:08:00-23:30
Europcar
+16136679394
1749 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1V 7Z4
Working hours
Mon:09:00-14:00
Tue:09:00-14:00
Wed:09:00-14:00
Thu:09:00-14:00
Fri:09:00-14:00
Ace Rent a car
6136679394 / 6136679397
1749 Bank Street
Working hours
Mon:09:00-15:00
Tue:09:00-15:00
Wed:09:00-15:00
Thu:09:00-15:00
Fri:09:00-15:00
Sat:08:30-13:30
NUCarrentals
+16135233003 / +16138221639
2644 Leitrim Road, Ottawa
Working hours
Mon:08:00-20:00
Tue:08:00-20:00
Wed:08:00-20:00
Thu:08:00-20:00
Fri:08:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-18:00
Sun:08:00-18:00