Ottawa sits on the bank of the Ottawa River and on the border of Ontario and Quebec.
Being Canada's capital, Ottawa is very accessible with a variety of bus, train, air, and highway routes that make a trip to Ottawa a convenient vacation option. Once in the city, travelers can enjoy the many fantastic festivals and historic attractions that draw visitors to Ottawa year-round
Travel by Train to Ottawa, Canada
Taking the train to Ottawa tops the list as one of the most hassle-free ways for vacationers to travel to Ottawa. Visitors can find the Ottawa train station at 200 Tremblay Rd., which lies about 6km (3.7 miles) east from downtown. From the train station, visitors can take public transportation (bus route 95) to downtown or hop in a taxi cab.
VIA Rail offers daily trains from both eastern and western destinations. On weekdays, five trains arrive daily from Toronto, while three to four trains make the trip on weekends. Toronto-Ottawa on VIA Rail is about a five-hour journey.
Six trains travel on weekdays from Montreal to Ottawa. And on weekends, three to four trains make the two-hour trip.
Taking the Bus to Ottawa, Canada
The main Ottawa bus station is at 265 Catherine St.—just a short 2km (1.2 mile) jaunt from Parliament Hill. Greyhound makes frequently daily trips to and from Toronto and Montreal.
Getting to Ottawa by bus is easy with hourly departures from Montreal (a 2.5 hour journey) and about seven buses daily from Toronto (a 5-6 hour journey).
Getting to Ottawa by Air
As politicians frequently travel between Parliament Hill and their home ridings, travelers benefit from a good selection of flights from various American and Canadian destinations to the Ottawa International Airport. WestJet and Air Canada remain the nation's primary air carriers.
Once at the airport, public transportation provides quick access to downtown (bus route 97).
Driving to Ottawa, Ontario
Many visitors choose to drive to Ottawa. Approximate driving distances from major centers to Ottawa include:
- Gatineau, QC to Ottawa: 9 km (5.6 miles), just across the Ottawa River
- Montreal, QC to Ottawa: 200 km (124 miles), west on Hwy 40 then Hwy 416 to Ottawa
- Quebec City, QC to Ottawa: 450 km (280 miles), southwest on Hwy 20 to Montreal, then follow Hwy 40 and Hwy 416 to Ottawa
- Toronto, ON to Ottawa: 450 km (280 miles), east from Toronto on Hwy 401 then north on Hwy 416 to Ottawa
- Rochester, NY to Ottawa: 450 km (280 miles), from Rochester take Hwy 90 to Syracuse, then head north on Hwy 81 to the border. Follow Hwy 401 east, then Hwy 416 into Ottawa.
Planning an Ottawa Vacation
There are many things to do in Ottawa be it taking a summer vacation tour of Parliament Hill or a snowy visit for the Winterlude winter carnival and a skate on the Rideau Canal. Visitors will find the Canadian Capital buzzing with concerts and festivals—perfect for a family vacation to eastern Canada.
 |
