Macdonald-Cartier International Airport serves Ottawa, Canada's capital, approximately 15 km south of the city center.
It is an important hub for government and diplomatic connections, as well as tourist traffic to the capital.
How to get to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to YOW
Parking near Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
The parking lot managed by the airport is located in front of the terminal.
It is not staffed but is video-monitored; short-term 5 CAD every 30 minutes, capped at 24 CAD/day in Parkade P1, 17 CAD/day in P4 (long-term: 78 CAD/week, 156 CAD/month); the Cell Phone Lot for arrivals waiting is free.
How to get to Ottawa from YOW
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
The arrivals area includes desks for major car rental companies.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit; national licenses are generally accepted. You drive on the right; in winter check that winter tires are fitted.
Hotels near Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Airport area
The Alt Hotel is linked to the terminal by an indoor pedestrian walkway, a few minutes on foot without going outside; the Fairfield Inn & Suites is about 1.1 km away and offers a free shuttle running around the clock; the Homewood Suites, about 4 km away, has a free shuttle but only between 6 and 23 (local time).
Best for: Very early morning departures and single-night layovers, for those who don't want to depend on buses or taxis to reach check-in.
- From the Alt Hotel, check-in is reachable on foot, with no dependence on shuttles or traffic
- Free shuttles for the other two hotels, convenient for those arriving late or departing at dawn
- The surroundings are made up only of airport facilities, a few offices and parking lots: in the evening there's almost nothing to do within walking distance
- The Homewood Suites shuttle isn't active at night: check with the hotel for off-hours flights
Recommended hotels
- Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport Linked to the terminal by an indoor pedestrian walkway, a few steps from the gate without going outside; opened in spring 2026, it's the only hotel in the area truly inside the airport complex. View availability
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ottawa Airport About 1.1 km from the terminal, with a free shuttle running around the clock; indoor pool and hot breakfast included, useful for those with a dawn flight. View availability
- Homewood Suites By Hilton Ottawa Airport About 4 km from the airport, with a free shuttle between 6 and 23 (local time); rooms with a kitchenette, convenient for longer stays or multi-night layovers. View availability
ByWard Market and downtown
By taxi or rideshare, 15-25 minutes for about 12 km; bus 105 links the airport around the clock, roughly every 30 minutes, to the St-Laurent and Hurdman stations, from where you continue on Line 1 of the light rail towards downtown.
Best for: Travellers who want to visit Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market, and accept a 15-25 minute transfer from the airport.
- Restaurants, shops and the ByWard Market reachable on foot from the hotels in the area
- Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal 10-15 minutes on foot from most of the hotels
- No direct, fast connection with the airport: even with bus 105 a transfer is needed at the station
- A central area, with higher prices on weekends with events or conventions
Recommended hotels
- AC Hotel by Marriott Ottawa Downtown On Rideau Street, in the heart of the ByWard Market, a few minutes on foot from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal; opened in April 2025, with pool, gym and sauna. View availability
- Moxy Ottawa Downtown On York Street, a 5-minute walk from the ByWard Market Square and the Rideau Centre; indoor pool and in-house bar, designed for those who want a more casual stay without moving away from downtown. View availability
- Homewood Suites By Hilton Ottawa Downtown On Queen Street, about 10 minutes on foot from Parliament Hill and a little further from the heart of the ByWard Market; rooms with a full kitchen, useful for families or multi-day stays. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for the capital's traffic. From check-in to gate you typically walk 10–15 minutes.
Customs and security checks can take longer than expected, especially for flights with USA pre-clearance: for international flights it's recommended to arrive at least 3 hours early.
Map of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is there to see in Ottawa near the airport?
The city center with Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the longest skating rink in the world in winter.
Q. Does Ottawa airport offer US customs preclearance?
Yes: those flying to the United States clear American customs and immigration directly in Ottawa, landing at their destination as if on a domestic flight, with no further lines at US airports.
Q. Do you need a visa for Canada arriving in Ottawa?
The same rules apply to all air entries: an eTA for visa-exempt nationalities, a tourist visa for others.
Q. When is the best time to visit Ottawa for fall foliage?
Generally late September to early October, when the leaf colors reach their peak in the region.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
