Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport: where to stay, areas…

Ottawa Airport is about 12 km from downtown, reachable by taxi or rideshare in 15-25 minutes depending on traffic. Since 2025, OC Transpo's bus 105 has linked the terminals to the St-Laurent and Hurdman stations around the clock, roughly every half hour, from where you continue on the Line 1 light rail towards downtown; the new O-Train Line 4 reaches the airport too, but requires two transfers and takes over an hour, so it remains slower than the bus and a taxi. For those with a few days in Ottawa, downtown with the ByWard Market and Parliament Hill is almost always the better choice; staying near the terminals makes sense mainly for pre-dawn departures or a single-night layover.

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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
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.

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ByWard Market and downtown

City centre · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
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.

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