Car hire at Ottawa airport

Check out our selection of new cars and get a discount up to 40% for rentals lasting 5 or more days.

Car Rental Options at Ottawa Airport

Having a rental car is the best way to travel in Ottawa. It eliminates the headaches that come with public transportation and bus schedules. You can choose from a variety of models from compact to fullsize cars. A full size car from one agency might be more expensive than a compact from another.

Ottawa is a city on the cusp of history and culture. It is also a great starting point for exploring destinations nearby. Its social calendar is stuffed with festivals and events throughout the year.

It's a good idea to check out the airport's rental car options. You can find a number of companies on site and there are three parking options.

The most reputable rental car companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise. For your money you get a quality rental car, a convenient location, and an enjoyable experience.

The best car rental company at Ottawa International Airport is Avis. They have a variety of luxury and economy vehicles to choose from. They also offer a complimentary membership called Avis Preferred, which offers free skip-the-line service and other perks.

The Thrifty Car Rental - Ottawa Airport, On Canada (YOW) has a wide selection of vehicles to choose from. They accept debit cards and offer 10% prepayment discounts. Their airport facility is located at 1003 Airport Parkway Private in Ottawa.

They have a helpful customer service team available by phone and email, as well as free shuttle services to a local depot.
Ottawa

Airport Transport Information

Depending on your budget, there are a wide range of airport transport options to choose from. Among the most popular are Private shuttle services, Buses, and Taxis. You can also take the O-Train from the airport.

Taxi

Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, the Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International Airport (YOW) has you covered. There are many options for getting from the airport to the city, ranging from private and shared shuttles to the standard old taxi. Having a reliable transportation service in place is important when you are on the go, especially when you have luggage.

For the most part, taxis are reasonably priced and a quick ride to the city centre should take no more than 20-25 minutes. There are also a number of bus services that operate around the clock. However, you may find it more convenient to book an airport transfer.

Aside from the taxis, there are also a number of ridesharing companies operating within the airport premises. These include Uber, Sidecar, and Getaround.
Ottawa

Bus

Whether you are a family, a group of friends, or a business traveler, there are many ways to get from the Ottawa airport to the city centre. If you don't want to deal with taxis, shuttles, or a rental car, you may find bus service to Ottawa airport to be an attractive option.

The cheapest and quickest way to get to downtown Ottawa is by bus. Depending on the company, you can choose from the likes of the OC Transpo, Uber, or a private shuttle service.

The 97 route makes a round trip from the airport to the city center. The shortest trip takes about 15 minutes. It uses low floor accessible buses, and passes through South Keys, Alta Vista, and Faircrest. It ends near the Byward Market.

O-Train

Using the Ottawa airport buses is a great way to get to the city without spending a fortune. However, there are some things you should know about them. You'll need to account for the times the metro is open, as well as the bus's routes.

The O-Train is a light rail line that crosses Ottawa from north to south. It's operated by OC Transpo. It has five stations. You can purchase tickets at a service point or at a participating store. You can also buy Presto cards online or at a OC Transpo Customer Service Center.

The O-Train is able to transport up to 10 thousand passengers each day. In addition to trains, the transit system also includes a series of buses.

The O-Train trains run every ten to twelve minutes on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the frequency increases to fifteen minutes per train.

Private shuttle service

Whether you are travelling on business or pleasure, the Ottawa airport has a wide range of options for ground transportation. The city offers a number of bus services that run throughout the day and night, including the Connexion service, which runs between residential communities and Line 1.

For those who want a little more luxury, a private shuttle service is a good option. These shuttles offer door-to-door transit and can be a convenient way to get from the airport to your destination. They are also available for groups of travelers who need to get around in a hurry.

For those who are looking for a more economical way to get from the airport to downtown, the OC Transpo bus is a great choice. The OC Transpo bus route 97 has a regular schedule, and it is a fast, affordable way to travel from the airport to the heart of the capital.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Located on Aviation Parkway, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum showcases Canada's aeronautical history and achievements. The museum offers guided tours, with programs that are hands-on. The museum's collection includes over 130 aircraft and fascinating artifacts from the military, civil service and aerospace industry. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum is 3 miles northeast of downtown.

The collection covers the Second World War to the 1950s, with the focus on the Canadian aviation industry. It also has a variety of aircraft that have been deployed internationally. Some of the aircraft on display include the Messerschmitt Me 163B and the German AEG G.IV bomber.

The collection also features a number of bush planes, which are significant to Canada's history. A replica of Silver Dart, the first powered airplane to fly in Canada, is on display. This aircraft was built by volunteers in 1958.

Finding Cheap Parking at Ottawa Airport

Getting a good parking rate at Ottawa Airport isn't too difficult. There are two major choices: long-term and short-term parking. There are also premium and free options.

  • The Parkade (P1) is a covered parking garage that's only two minutes away from the terminal. It's a great choice if you're dropping off a loved one or rushing to catch a flight.
  • The multi-story Parkade is fully covered and offers a direct access to the terminal. It's also a safe and secure option.
  • The Parkade also has EV charging stations on level 2 and 3 of the garage. The EV charge isn't free, but the charger is a great way to refuel your car while at the airport.
  • Another cool thing about the Parkade is that it has a baby change table. The Parkade isn't for over-sized vehicles, so you won't be able to leave your luggage in front of the terminal. But you can use the baby change table to keep your little ones happy.
  • You can also get free Wi-Fi at the Ottawa airport. The hotel has free bottled water, a free airport shuttle, and a pool. You can even reserve a pet-friendly room for an additional fee.
  • The Parkade's multi-level, well-lit system is a great way to make a quick trip from the airport to your hotel. It's also the fastest of all the parking options.
  • While the P4 parking structure isn't the best option, it's cheaper than other parking structures.

Changes in Ottawa airport car rental rates based on the seasons

Average price for 7 days rental:

  • 0$ –
  • 22$ –
  • 72$ –
  • 122$ –
  • 172$ –
  • 222$ –
  • 272$ –
  • 322$ –
  • January
    154$
  • February
    133$
  • March
    154$
  • April
    189$
  • May
    224$
  • June
    245$
  • July
    287$
  • August
    322$
  • September
    224$
  • October
    224$
  • November
    154$
  • December
    245$
  • Jan -
    154$
  • Feb -
    133$
  • Mar -
    154$
  • Apr -
    189$
  • May -
    224$
  • Jun -
    245$
  • Jul -
    287$
  • Aug -
    322$
  • Sep -
    224$
  • Oct -
    224$
  • Nov -
    154$
  • Dec -
    245$

List of required documents

Attention!

A valid international driving license is required

1. Driver license
2. Credit card
3. Voucher
4. Passport

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest daily rates ranging from 27$. You might wish to select a smaller vehicle because big cars tend to cost more to operate due to their higher fuel consumption.
Summertime in Ottawa airport is always a time of increased demand for car rentals, which raises costs. Prices are markedly reduced in the off-season, particularly in the winter.The length of your rental also influences the overall cost.

General insurance categories in Ottawa airport:

  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - It limits the customer's liability throughout the rental time and sets the maximum damage payment.
  • Theft Protection (TP): Reduces your obligation to the vehicle's deductible/excess if your car is stolen (proof required are a police report and the car keys).
  • Third Party Liability (TPL) covers material and intangible losses to other people's vehicles, property, and medical expenditures.

Purchase insurance while booking your car:

Car rental insurance

Traveling by car lets you explore at your own pace. It's nice to be able to avoid congested bus or rail schedules and travel early or late.

It depends on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage each person is carrying. However, the following factors to think about before vacationing in Ottawa airport:

Size: Our major suggestion is to choose a car that is not excessively wide. There are some tiny streets when you are driving through old towns or historical villages. It will be less stressful in a narrower automobile. Ford Ka is the most well-liked model among economy classes in Ottawa airport. From EUROPCAR the daily rate for this vehicle begins at 14$.

Power: Any size car will be able to travel the entire country. However, if you choose an engine that is not the smallest, it will be more comfortable in the highlands.

According to the rental policies of all car rental agencies, you can book the vehicle's essential features, but not a specific model. Because a specific model can break, be involved in an accident, be held by the prior tenant, etc. Your voucher will have a code that specifies the major parameters (e.g. CDAR). The following table provides code decoding:

Car rental models

For online payments, we accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Please be aware that the local supplier will demand that you leave a security deposit for the car when you take it up. This manifests as a minimal amount (Excess + VAT) being put on the primary driver's credit card as a block. At the rental desk, you must have a credit card with you.
We will accept a debit card if purchase our Platinum Insurance plan for the duration of your rental period.

Rent a car without a deposit

Our advantages

24/7 Support
24/7 support in all popular languages
Free cancellation
You can change or cancel the order within 48 hours
No commission
No hidden fees and additional commissions

Reviews

John
5
The car rental process was smooth and hassle-free, with a wide selection of vehicles to choose from and excellent customer service
Mary
4.5
I was impressed by the cleanliness and condition of the car, as well as the ease of pick-up and drop-off at convenient locations
Michael
4.5
Affordable rates and a user-friendly booking system made my car rental experience enjoyable and stress-free
Jessica
4
The staff was friendly and helpful, ensuring that I had all the information I needed for a seamless rental experience
David
5
I appreciated the flexibility in rental options and the transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Emily
4.5
The vehicle performed well throughout my trip, providing a comfortable and reliable means of transportation