Which Ottawa Airport is best to fly or closest to City?

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) or Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND)

Macdonald-Cartier Airport Vs. Ottawa Executive Airport

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW)

Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND)

    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport(YOW) Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND)
Airport Maps Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) Map Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND) Map

Getting To The Airports From The City Centre

Distance from City Centre 7.5miles(12.2 kilometres) 15.3 miles (24.7kilometres)
Public Transport Operating Hours 24-hour service 24-hour service
Train

No direct train to and from the airport, but travellers can board the OC Transpo bus to O-Train station, where they may proceed to other parts of Ottawa.

N/A

Bus Services

Airport shuttle buses and limos are also available but the OC Transpo bus route 97, offers express services to the city centre, it also has connections to the O-Train & other bus stations.

The bus (Route 97) departs frequently Every 20 minutes from post 14 outside the Arrivals level.
Tickets can be purchased at discounted rates at the Ground Transportation desk, Level 1, center. The trip takes about 11 minutes to the city centre

Fares Adult Per Ride
Presto e-purse - $3.45
ParaPay - $3.45
Cash - $3.50
DayPass - $10.50
Youth 13+
PRESTO e-Purse:$3.45
Cash (exact change only) - $3.50
DayPass - $10.50
ONLINE GO EASY Bus

N/A
Taxi

Licensed taxis, shuttles, and limousines operate from Level 1 of the Arrivals Hall.It costs around $20-25 with a journey time of about 12 minutes.

There are Taxis, car rental, and limousine services at the airport. It cost around $35 - $50 for a taxi. Journey time approximately 19 minutes.

Uber

Uber is available only on demand.

UberX $20-25
Assist $20-25
Uber XL $24-30

Uber X - $21-28

Uber fare estimator

   

Which Airport Is Most Suitable For Me?

How Close to Ottawa City Centre

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is the main airport serving Ottawa. It is the farthest among the two airports, but the fastest to get to the city centre.
The airport is well connected to Ottawa bybuses, shuttle, and taxi services.
It takes approximately 12 minutes to get to the city centre in downtown Ottawa.

Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport is the second airport serving Ottawa, it mostly handles domestic flights, charter flights, private jets airlines and general aviation use only.
The airport is connected to the city by taxi and car rental services only. To get a bus going downtown, you have to walk 21 minutes 1.8 km which is not practical for a traveller. So your best bet would be a taxis or car hire at the airport.
It takes approximately 19 minutes to the city centre in downtown Ottawa where most of the city's top attractions are.

Cost Factor

MacDonald Airport is the main airport serving Ottawa. So it is not cheap, hotel prices are higher than that at YND. It ranges from affordable to luxury hotels. Flight fares, hotel, and car hire costs are way more expensive than at YND.

Although this airports transport, car hire, and flight fares are higher, it is best to use this airport to avoid the stress of transportation at YND which does not have buses.

Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport is the closest to Ottawa, but getting to the city centre takes longer. The airport only handles domestic flights between Quebec and Gatineau destinations. Private charter and general aviation purposes.

Car hire from this airport is cheaper, but hotels are not close to the airport to the nearest hotel is 5 km from the airport. It is a better choice as travellers coming through the airport (especially Canadians) don't go through Customs/Immigration.
But, you should consider this airport only if you get a really good flight deal, and also when you have enough time and money spare for taxi services as there are no buses at the airport

Airport Delays

YOW is a very busy airport serving Ottawa, with over 4.8 million passengers yearly, which results in some flight and security delays.

Avg Security & Immigration Delays: High

Avg Flight Arrival Delays: 30 minutes

Avg Security & Immigration Delays: Low

Avg Flight Arrival Delays: 10 minutes
Flight Fares Flight fares at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is normally higher than that of Gatineau Airport YND airport only offers two flights daily, so flight fare is 50% lower than at YOW.

Hotel Prices Per Day From (01-11-2018 to 02-11-2018) Searched on 16-10-2018

Hotel

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ottawa Airport(2.5-star)at $138 per night

Homewood Suites By Hilton Ottawa Airport(3-star)
at $122 per night

Days Inn by Wyndham Ottawa Airport (2-star) at $153 per night.


Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East - Orleans(2-star)at $129 per night

Quality Inn Orleans(2-star)at $116 per night

Value Inn Ottawa Ottawa (2-star) at $84 per night.

Car Hire Cost Per Day (01-11-2018 to 02-11-2018)

Car Hire

Budget Cars (Ford KA, Fiat Panda etc) Prices starting at $105.95

Compact Cars (Ford Focus, VW Golf, etc) Prices starting at $116.12

Luxury Cars: (Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series) Prices starting at $168.01

Budget Cars (Ford KA, Fiat Panda etc) Prices starting at $108.93

Compact Cars (Ford Focus, VW Golf, etc) Prices starting at $125.54

Luxury Cars: (Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series) Prices starting at $168.01
Car Hire Companies

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Discount, Routes Car Rental, Hertz and National.

Enterprise and Hertz

Online car hire Car Hire Ottawa Airport (BRU) Car Hire Ottawa South Charleroi Airport (CRL)

Airport Facilities

Shopping and Dining Baggage Storage, Best Buy Express, Booster Juice, Boutique iStore, Bytown Marche, Byward Taps, D'Arcy McGee's, Discover Ottawa, Good Earth Coffeehouse, Grab & Go, Great Canadian Book Co., Harvey's, Hudsons Bay Company, Junogems, Metalsmiths Silver, PZA, Relay, Relay/Virgin, Rideau Bar & Grill, Senate Chambers Bar, Starbucks, The Local Cafe & Bar, The Loop, The Loop Duty Free, The Scoreboard, Tim Hortons.

L'Aviateur restaurant.

Lounges Porter Airlines Lounge and Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge N/A
Wi-Fi Services Unlimited Free Wi-Fi Available Unlimited Free Wi-Fi Available
Transfer in and Around The Airport The airport has a single Terminal with three-levels, so it is easy to walk around the airport. YND airport has a single Terminal so it's easy to move around.
Currency Exchange & ATM cash Points ICE - Currency Exchange at the arrivals hall- Level 1, 2 and Gate 15.
ATMs are also available at level 1, 2 and 3.
ReadySTATION® cash conversion kiosk is available at level 3.
N/A
Important phone numbers Airport No.: 613-248-2125, Lost Property 613-248-2054. Airport No: 819 663 0737 or 1-877-663-0737.
Major Operating Airlines Air Canada, Air North, Air Transat, American Airlines, Canadian North, Delta, First Air, Porter Airlines, Sunwing Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet. Air Liaison and Propair.
Major Connecting Destinations Calgary, Edmonton, London-Heathrow, Orlando, Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver, Boston, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Halifax, London (ON), Moncton, Montréal-Trudeau, Newark, Quebec City, Washington-National, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, Philadelphia, Iqaluit, Detroit, New York-LaGuardia, Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John (NB), Toronto-Billy Bishop, Miami, Varadero, Chicago-O'Hare, Newark, Washington-Dulles, and Winnipeg. Québec City and Charter to/from Kitchener/Waterloo, Montréal-Trudeau, Peterborough.
Tourist Info Centres N/A N/A
Official website https://yow.ca/en/ http://www.aeroportdegatineau.com/en/home.html

OTTAWA AIRPORTS


Which Ottawa airport is closest to central Ottawa?

The closest airport to the city centre by road is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airportwhich is 7.5 miles from central Ottawa. Macdonald- Cartier is the main airport serving Ottawa and it will take you a journey time of 11 minutes to central Ottawa where most of the top attractions are located using the OC Transpo bus route 97.
Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport is further by road at 15.3 miles, the airport is served by low budget airlines and has no airport buses. Only taxi services and Uber serve passenger transfers to the city centre and takes 19 minutes. This airport handles limited charter and domestic flights within the country.
Compare airport distances and transfer times to the center of Ottawa by public transport below.

Distance to Central Ottawa:
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport: 7.5 miles / 12.0 km
Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport:15.3 miles / 24.7 km

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport to Central Ottawa Journey Times:
By Bus: 11 minutes
By Taxi: 12 minutes

Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport to Central Ottawa Journey Times:
By Taxi: 19 minutes

What is the best airport to fly into in Ottawa?

For convenience sake, and ease of transportation from the airport to the city centre, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport is best to fly into in Ottawa. It is the main airport serving the city and also closer with faster transfers to central Ottawa. Macdonald-Cartier has more transport options as against Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport which is further and served by only taxi services. For business travellers, this is the best airport, as it has more facilities to make your trip worthwhile. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport handles both domestic and international flights to major cities around the world and is served by Air Canada, American Airlines, Canadian North, Delta, United Airlines, WestJet etc. Although, Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport sees less queues at immigration/security, fewer crowds and cheaper flights, the airport is served by low-cost air carriers (Air Liaison & Propair) and a limited number of flight destinations.
Most people or travellers going on a vacation, for business, school and more will most likely use Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport to Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport.

Is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier airport better than YND?

Montreal-Saint Hubert Airport (YOW) sees more crowds, immigration queues and flight delays than Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport but it is the closest to central Ottawa by road just 12.2km. The airport has shorter journey times and lower transport fare rates into the city centre.
YOW airport is connected to the city centreby buses and taxis which is very convenient for passengers with plenty of luggage or travelling with family and kids. It will take you 11 minutes from Macdonld-Cartier Airport by bus while it takes 19 minutes by taxi from YND to the city centre.
Macdonald-Cartier Airport has a single terminal building with three levels that handles short and long haul flights while Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport has just a single story terminal for domestic flights. Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport in very inconvenient for travellers because there are no buses available for passenger transfers, only taxis and it is expensive. Travellers with children and a lot of baggage will not find the airport very convenient as it is also further away from central Ottawa. In all, people who want cheap flights and have a lot of time to spare will use Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport while business travellers will mostly use Macdonald-Cartier Airport to arrive the city centre on time and fast with more airport facilities and flight options to many top destination

Which airport is closest to the top attractions in Ottawa, Canada?

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier airport is closer to the main attractions in central Ottawa, it costs $3 for the 33 minutes journey by bus line 97 from the airport to Canadian Museum of History, Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, Peace Tower, National War Memorial, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum, Notre Dame Basilica, ByWard Market, and many more. From Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, it takes 49 minutes by bus at $7-$21 from the bus station 1.8 km outside the airport to the top attractions. Uber is faster and a better option but cost more than buses, it takes 16 minutes and costs $13-$18 from Macdonald-Cartier. Gatineau-Ottawa Executive airport is not served by Uber, so normal taxi costs $35-$45 for a 20 minutes journey.

How much it does it cost from Macdonald-Cartier or Gatineau-Ottawa Executive to Central Ottawa?

From Macdonald-Cartier Airport by:
Bus (Route 97): $10.50 1-day-http://www.octranspo.com/tickets-and-passes/fares.aspxBuses run every 20 minutesfrom 4:30-3:35 daily.
Taxi: $20-25 - http://www.bluelinetaxi.com/ Available 24/7.
Uber: :$20-$25- https://www.uber.com/en/gb/ Available on demand.
But Private taxes are cheaper than Airport taxis, here to Book at

From Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport by:
Taxi:: $35-$50 http://www.bluelinetaxi.com/Available 24/7
Uber: :$21-28 - - https://www.uber.com/en/gb/ Available on demand
But Private taxes are cheaper than Airport taxis, here to Book at

How much are Hotels at Macdonald-Cartier and Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airports?

Hotel prices can vary greatly depending on how far in advance you book, the demand for rooms, and which hotel you book but the prices below will give you a rough idea and you can do further research and hotel booking at https://www.tripindicator.com/hotel.html

Macdonald-Cartier Airport Hotels: From $122per night
Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport Hotels: From $84 per night

How much does car hire cost at Macdonald-Cartier or Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airports?

If you have a lot of luggage and don't want the expense of a taxi, you might prefer to rent a car to get to central Ottawa or elsewhere in Ottawa, particularly if you're flying into a farther airport. All of the airports mentioned offer competitive prices and a range of cars to suit your needs. Prices are based on the type of car, driver age, length of hire, and demand but you can get a rough idea for each airport below.

Macdonald-Cartier Airport Car Rental:
Budget Cars (Ford KA, Fiat Panda etc) Prices starting at $105.95 per day
Compact Cars (Ford Focus, VW Golf, etc) Prices starting at $116.12per day
Luxury Cars: (Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series) Prices starting at $168.01 per day
Compare prices here - https://www.tripindicator.com/car-hire/airports.html

Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport Car Rental:
Budget Cars (Ford KA, Fiat Panda etc) Prices starting at $108.93 per day
Compact Cars (Ford Focus, VW Golf, etc) Prices starting at $125.54per day
Luxury Cars: (Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series) Prices starting at $168.01 per day
Compare prices here - https://www.tripindicator.com/car-hire/airports.html

How Many Airports Are In Ottawa?

Two airports serve Ottawa, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport and Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport. YOW handles both international and domestic flights, it is connected to the city by different taxis, car and bus services. YND is the secondary airport, it handles domestic flights to and from Quebec, private charter and airlines with not more than 15 passengers land at the airport.

How Much Is Taxi From Ottawa International Airport To Ottawa City Centre?

Taxis at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport charge $20-25 USD per trip

Is There Public Transport From Montreal Airport?

OC Transpo bus route 97, offers express transfer services to the city centre. They charge approximately $4 USD.

How Long Does The OC Transport Take To Get To The City Centre?

The route 97 bus line runs every 10 minutes, and it takes 20 minutes to get to central Montreal.

What Things To Do In Ottawa?

Ottawa has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sights like the Rideau Canal which connects Ottawa with Canada's old capital Kingston. Other things to do includes a visit to Parliament Hill, Peace Tower, National War Memorial, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum, Notre Dame Basilica, ByWard Market, Winterlude Festival, and Gatineau Park just to name a few.

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) & Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND) Terminal Maps

For Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) Terminal Maps visit https://www.tripindicator.com/yow-ottawa-macdonald-cartier-airport-terminal-map.html

For Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (YND) Terminal Maps visit https://www.tripindicator.com/ynd-gatineau-ottawa-executive-airport-terminal-map.html

 

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