Ottawa travel guide

About Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southeastern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). As of 2021, Ottawa had a city population of 1,017,449 and a metropolitan population of 1,488,307, making it the second-largest city and second most-populous metropolitan area in Ontario, and the fourth-largest city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Cheap flights to Ottawa

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,615 from London, travelling 20 Dec – 29 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

• LON London to Ottawa20 Dec – 29 Dec · YOW from$1,615

Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Places to visit in Ottawa

1. 

   Parliament Hill

   Landmark

   Canada's Gothic Revival parliament buildings stand on a bluff above the Ottawa River. Book a free guided tour in advance, and in summer watch the changing of the guard ceremony on the front lawn.

2. 

   Rideau Canal

   Historic

   A nineteenth-century canal running through the heart of the city, now a World Heritage Site. In winter part of it becomes a huge skating rink, while in summer its banks are great for walking and cycling.

3. 

   National Gallery of Canada

   Museum

   A striking glass-and-granite museum showing Canadian, Indigenous, and international art. Look for the giant bronze spider sculpture outside, and save time for the Group of Seven paintings in the Canadian galleries.

4. 

   Canadian Museum of History

   Museum

   A museum across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, tracing Canada's human history, with a grand hall of towering Pacific Coast totem poles. Allow half a day, and enjoy the view of Parliament Hill from outside.

5. 

   ByWard Market

   Market

   A historic market district with produce stalls, shops, restaurants, and lively bars. Try a BeaverTails fried pastry, a local favorite, and come back in the evening when the patios fill up.

6. 

   Gatineau Park

   Park · 18 mi from centre

   A large park of forests, lakes, and hiking trails just across the river in Quebec. Drive or cycle up to the Champlain Lookout for sweeping views over the Ottawa Valley, especially during fall color season.

7. 

   Canadian War Museum

   Museum

   A museum of Canada's military history set in a striking modern building near the river. Plan at least two hours to cover the galleries, which include tanks, artillery, and personal stories from soldiers.

8. 

   Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

   Religious

   Ottawa's oldest surviving church and the seat of its Catholic archbishop, with twin silver spires and a richly decorated blue and gold interior. It stands near the National Gallery, so visit both together.

Things to do in Ottawa by type

13 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

• Tickets & Attraction Passes 8 experiences Canadian Museum of Nature: Entry Ticket
• City tours 2 experiences Ottawa: Beechwood Cemetery Haunted Walking Tour

Top experiences in Ottawa

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.

Gastronomy & nightlife

Ottawa Food Tour

• 3 hours
• Free cancellation

From $85 per adult

Tickets & Attraction Passes

National Gallery of Canada: Entry Ticket

• 1 day

From $16 per adult

City tours

The Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $24 per adult

Tickets & Attraction Passes

Canadian War Museum: Skip The Line Ticket

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $17 per adult

Tickets & Attraction Passes

Ottawa: Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $90 per adult

Where to stay in Ottawa

Popular hotels in Ottawa, out of 110 properties you can book.

Courtyard Ottawa Downtown

• Downtown

From $152 per night

Holiday Inn Ottawa Dwtn - Parliament Hill

• Downtown

From $179 per night

Four Points By Sheraton Gatineau

• Gatineau

From $101 per night

Fairmont Chateau Laurier

• Downtown

From $292 per night

ARC The Hotel

• Downtown

From $153 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport

• Downtown

From $119 per night

DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown

• Downtown

From $184 per night

Welcominns Ottawa

• Downtown

From $90 per night

Travelodge By Wyndham Ottawa East

• Downtown

From $129 per night

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa

• Downtown

From $167 per night

Lord Elgin Hotel

• Downtown
• 8.07 reviews

From $255 per night

Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport

• Downtown

From $139 per night

Best time to visit Ottawa

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Ottawa is September, when average daytime highs are around 72°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Ottawa weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 50° 32° 0%
• Thu 22 Oct 57° 40° 0%
• Fri 23 Oct 51° 35° 0%
• Sat 24 Oct 54° 36° 0%
• Sun 25 Oct 61° 39° 3%
• Mon 26 Oct 58° 50° 6%

Know before you go

Currency

Canadian dollar (CAD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.41

Languages

English, French

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/TorontoUTC−4

Upcoming public holidays in Canada

• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Fri 26 MarGood Friday
• Mon 24 MayVictoria Day
• Thu 1 JulCanada Day
• Mon 6 SepLabour Day

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Ottawa

These are the airports closest to central Ottawa. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• YRO Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport3 mi (6 km) from the city centre
• YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport7 mi (12 km) from the city centre

Getting around Ottawa

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Fares

As of March 2025, the cash fare[dead link] for regular routes is $4.05 for adults and youth (13-64), $3.20 for seniors (65+). Children under 12 ride free. (Fares are 5 cents cheaper if paying by Presto card.) Seniors[dead link] can ride the OC Transpo system free on Wednesdays and Sundays (except Para Transpo). Payment is by exact change or the Presto card. If you pay cash, get a transfer to act as proof of payment for fare inspection.

Service to Gatineau

Route 8 provides all-day service between Dow's Lake and Gatineau, Quebec throughout the whole week, terminating in front of the Canadian Museum of History (stop: Laurier / Élisabeth-Bruyère); it uses OC Transpo fare media, including Presto, even when boarding in Gatineau. You can board this route at Dow's Lake, Corso Italia, or Pimisi station. Route 13 also goes between Gatineau and Tunney's Pasture station in the morning and evening rush hour.

By taxi

Taxis are easy to find downtown; elsewhere, phone for a cab. All taxis should have a meter and the base charge is $2.45, and overall rates are quite high compared to most other North American cities. A ride from downtown to the airport will be costly, running between $25 and $35 for a trip that will take less than a half-hour outside of peak traffic periods. Cabs will not take credit cards for fares below $10.

Ottawa travel FAQ