Car Rental at Ottawa Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of Canada is not as famous as Toronto or Montreal, but can be a very fun place to visit - if you know where to look. Not only the location of the Canadian government, it boasts quality museums and a busy cultural scene. Located on the border between Ontario and Quebec, it is also near a number of fun day trip destinations. These are five of the most interesting attractions in and around Ottawa:

• Parliament Hill. Home of the Parliament of Canada and other government and legislative buildings, the Parliament Hill is rightfully the most famous part of Ottawa. Spectacularly located on the Ottawa river, the area is known for its Gothic revival architecture and landmarks. Tours of the Parliament are available in both English and French.
• Canadian Museum of Nature. One of the best things about Ottawa is its many high-quality museums, and there’s no better place to start exploring them than the Canadian Museum of Nature. More than 160 years old, the museum has nearly 15 million exhibits on display as a part of the permanent collection, and also hosts many rotating exhibitions dedicated to all things wild.
• Gatineau Park. Located in the neighboring Province of Quebec, but only a 20 minute drive north of Ottawa, Gatineau Park is one of the nicest green areas in the immediate vicinity of the capital. Characterized by its hills, woodlands, and lakes, as well as a network of hiking trails and wildlife like white-tailed deer and turkey vultures, it has all the necessary ingredients for a relaxing day outdoors. The park is said to be especially scenic during the autumn months.
• Canada Science and Technology Museum. Another gem of a museum, CTSM has a wealth of the most diverse objects, artifacts, and archival materials that are connected to both science and Canada. Some of the most notable ones include the ceremonial last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada’s largest refracting telescope, and HitchBot, the hitch-hiking robot that independently traveled across the country. The museum is located in the eastern part of Ottawa, about a 20-minute drive from the city center.
• Merrickville. Another popular day trip destination from the capital, Merrickville, has often been referred to as Canada’s prettiest village. Forming a municipality with the neighboring town of Wolford, the settlement is known for its Victorian architecture, as well as landmarks like a small 19th-century fortress now known as the Blockhouse Museum and the Industrial Heritage Complex showcasing some of the traditional manufactures of the area. The drive southwest of Ottawa takes only about 50 minutes.

Top international routes

• Toronto
• New York City
• Halifax
• Calgary
• Chicago
• Washington
• Vancouver
• Fort Lauderdale

Main airlines

Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Porter Airlines, WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, and Air Transat

Terminals

Ottawa Airport has a single passenger terminal building on three levels, which serves all domestic and international flights.

Location

Ottawa Airport is about 10 km (6.2 mi) south of the city center. Routes 79, 417, and 83 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Large cars - from $44 per day
• SUVs - from $50 per day
• Small cars - from $62 per day
• Medium cars - from $43 per day
• Vans - from $95 per day
• Premium cars - from $90 per day

Car rental desks

Most, although not all, are on level 1 of the car park right next to the airport.

Services and facilities

You’ll find quite a lot of shops, most of them in the departures area on level 2 where duty-free outlets are also located. There are also many cafés, snack bars, and restaurants, as well as ATMs, an on-site hotel, nursing rooms, a children’s play area, pet relief area, an observation deck, and an interfaith chapel. The airport is well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Petro-Canada at 690 Hunt Club Road can be reached in about six minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near Ottawa Airport and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Toronto (440 km / 273 mi). The most populous city of Canada, Toronto is a hub of business, culture, and innovation. Travelers love its many museums like the Art Gallery of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum dedicated to the province of Toronto and Ottawa, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Other landmarks include the CN Tower and the Toronto City Hall.
• New York City (708 km / 440 mi). The largest city of the neighboring United States, Big Apple is a destination like no other. There are more world-famous landmarks than it’s possible to mention, but visiting the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square should be on every traveler’s agenda. To go from Canada to the USA, you’ll need to cross the international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Also, make sure you don’t need a visa to visit the USA.
• Montreal (196 km / 122 mi). The largest city of the neighboring Quebec Province and also the largest French-speaking city in the Americas, Montreal is a classy and sophisticated destination. Full of museums, well-preserved architecture, and performance venues, it has enough attractions to keep you entertained for days.
• Detroit (794 km / 493 mi). The largest city of the US state of Michigan has been through ups and downs, but during the last decade has started to reinvent itself. There are many things for a traveler to enjoy here, from historic city areas to museums dedicated to Detroit’s great industrial and musical past. As with New York, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border with the USA.
• Halifax (1,444 km / 897 mi). The capital of Nova Scotia can be a great travel destination if you give it a chance. Landmarks include the Halifax Citadel, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and the city’s beautiful waterfront.
• Quebec City (456 km / 283 mi). The capital of Quebec Province, Quebec City is one of the most picturesque cities in Canada. The Citadel, the Palace of Justine, and Chateau Frontenac are some examples of its iconic architecture. If you're interested in Franco-Canadian culture, this is the right place to visit - in Quebec City, it remains even stronger than in Montreal.