Car Hire in Ottawa - Getting to Ottawa

Being the country’s capital, Ottawa has an International Airport with regular flights to many US destinations and limited trans-Atlantic routes. However Montreal and Toronto have much busier airports and many more options for long haul visitors. The airport is efficient and transportation into the city is reliable and always available.

Canada’s VIA train network departs daily from the central station, bound for the East coast, and running more frequently to Toronto, Quebec city and Montreal.

Buses leaving from the main bus terminal head for many regional towns and cities and travel further a field to US cities. However, distances are large and this can become an uncomfortable option.

The city of Ottawa is easily accessible by major roads, no matter which direction you are coming from. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #17), which spans the country from coast to coast, passes through the city in the form of a multi-lane roadway. Ottawa is linked to the busy Hwy #401 (approximately 60 minutes from the city of Ottawa to the nearest US border crossing at Prescott/Ogdensburg NY). From Montreal, follow Hwy #40 west to the Ontario Border where it then becomes Hwy #417. This will then take you directly to the city of Ottawa. Travel time from Montreal is approximately 2.5 hrs.