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YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) serves Ottawa, about 10 km south of Ottawa. Below: trains and buses from the terminal, an estimated taxi fare to town and nearby cities, where you can fly from here, and hotels nearby.

IATAYOW
ICAOCYOW
ServesOttawa
From centre10 km
Non-stop26
Airlines13
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto
Elevation114 m

See on map ↗

The airport in numbers

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport — facts & history

We pulled Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport's numbers from the open aviation datasets — 4.5M passengers in 2024, against a peak of 5.1M in 2018.

Passengers / year
4.5M
as of 2024
Peak traffic
5.1M
in 2018
Elevation
114 מ׳
above sea level
Passengers per year, 1996–2024

Figures: Wikidata (CC0)

Airport to city

Getting from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Ottawa

The airport is about 10 km south of Ottawa, about 21 minutes by road in normal traffic.

Train & bus: Toronto (UP Express to Union, 25 min), Vancouver (SkyTrain Canada Line), Montreal (bus 747).

Taxi & apps: Metered taxi, flat zone fares at some airports. Uber and Lyft are legal in most provinces. Estimated fare to the centre: C$20–C$32.

Tipping: 15% is usual.

Way inTime to centreCost
Train / bus~15 mincheapestCHEAPEST
Taxi~21 minC$20–C$32
Private transfer~21 minfixed upfront
Car rental~21 min + חניהfrom the terminal
Choose and book

Which way suits you from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Taxi

Cheapest for a short trip, one or two people. ~C$20–C$32 to the centre.

Private transfer

Fixed price upfront, driver with a sign. For a late arrival, bags, kids or a group.

Car rental

If you're touring the region. Desks in the terminal, booking ahead beats the counter.

Train or bus is usually the cheapest — details above.

Book your airport transfer in Ottawa ahead, no terminal surprises.

Route network

Where you can fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Non-stop flights to about 26 destinations, operated by 13 airlines. The busiest routes:

Airlines here: Air Canada · WestJet · United Airlines · Porter Airlines · Lufthansa · US Airways · American Airlines · KLM Royal Dutch Airlines · Canadian North · First Air

At the airport

Left luggage & lost and found at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Most large airports offer left-luggage inside the terminal, usually by the hour or day and with a size limit. A common, cheaper alternative: in-city storage points near stations and sights — handy for an early arrival before check-in, or after check-out.

Something lost in the terminal is handled by the airport's lost-and-found office (usually near baggage claim); something left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Keep your flight details, seat number and a description of the item.

Sleep nearby

Hotels near Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

For an early connection — a hotel by the terminal saves a taxi and a headache.

Rates in Ottawa shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Reviews — Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

No reviews yet — be the first to share.

Airports nearby

Other options near Ottawa

Same country

Other airports in Canada

Q&A

Answers to your questions

How do I get from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to the centre of Ottawa?
Toronto (UP Express to Union, 25 min), Vancouver (SkyTrain Canada Line), Montreal (bus 747). The airport is about 10 km south of Ottawa, about 21 minutes by road.
How much is a taxi from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Ottawa?
Roughly C$20–C$32 (at the local tariff). Many airports have a regulated flat fare — ask at the taxi desk.
Can I use a ride app from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
Metered taxi, flat zone fares at some airports. Uber and Lyft are legal in most provinces.
What's the cheapest way from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Ottawa?
Train or bus, almost always — usually a fraction of the taxi fare. Toronto (UP Express to Union, 25 min), Vancouver (SkyTrain Canada Line), Montreal (bus 747).
Can I get from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport into town without a car?
Yes. Toronto (UP Express to Union, 25 min), Vancouver (SkyTrain Canada Line), Montreal (bus 747). For a late arrival or a lot of bags, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Where can I fly non-stop from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
About 26 destinations, including Iqaluit, Toronto, Halifax, St. John's. 13 airlines operate here.
Can I leave luggage at the airport?
Most large airports have a left-luggage service, and there are also in-city storage points near stations and sights that are usually cheaper with no size limit.
Where is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport's lost and found?
Items found in the terminal (not on the aircraft) are handled by the airport's lost-and-found office — usually near baggage claim or the information desks, sometimes one office per terminal. Anything left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Current contact details are on Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport's official site.
How do I know which terminal my flight leaves from at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
The terminal is on your boarding pass and booking confirmation, and updates on the departure boards at the entrance. Rule of thumb: each airline works from a fixed terminal, and airlines in the same alliance are usually grouped together. With a connection, check whether you change terminals and how long that takes.
Ottawa city guide← Canada travel guideAll airports

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Airport data: OpenFlights (ODbL) · Route network: OpenFlights routes · Getting-there notes: Around the World, checked 2026

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