Ottawa's airport sits close to the city, and the quickest, cheapest way in for most visitors is OC Transpo's route 97 bus, which runs directly between the terminal and downtown, linking with the O-Train network along the way. It isn't a one-seat rail ride from the terminal door, but the combination is straightforward once you know where the connections are.
OC Transpo bus route 97: the direct workhorse
Route 97 is OC Transpo's main airport service, running from a stop just outside arrivals directly into downtown Ottawa, calling at connecting points along the way including stations on the city's O-Train network. It's an ordinary city bus rather than a dedicated airport express, but it runs frequently through the day and covers the whole distance without requiring a change if your destination sits along its route. Fares are paid with a Presto card (Ottawa and the wider region's contactless transit card) or a tapped contactless bank card at the reader — see our Presto card guide for how the same card works elsewhere in Ontario.
Connecting to the O-Train
Ottawa's light rail network, the O-Train, has been steadily extended in recent years, including a southward extension of Line 2 (the Trillium Line) that now reaches much closer to the airport than in the past, with a station linked to the terminal by a short walkway or connecting shuttle. Route 97 also calls at stations that connect into Line 1 (the Confederation Line), Ottawa's main east–west line through the downtown core, including Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market area. Because the network has changed significantly over the past few years, it's worth checking OC Transpo's current map before you fly rather than relying on an old itinerary, particularly if you're travelling late at night when the Trillium Line's frequency drops.
Connecting to VIA Rail
Travellers continuing onward by train rather than staying in Ottawa can reach VIA Rail's Ottawa Station via the O-Train's Confederation Line (Line 1) at the Tremblay stop, a few minutes east of the downtown core. That makes an airport-to-onward-train journey a genuinely practical option without a separate taxi transfer between the two stations — useful if you're heading straight on to Montreal, Toronto or Kingston without spending a night in the capital. Confirm your specific interchange on OC Transpo's current map, since which stations serve VIA Rail directly has shifted as the network has grown.
Taxis and rideshare
A staffed taxi rank operates directly outside arrivals, and rideshare apps including Uber and Lyft serve the airport from a designated pickup zone. The trip into downtown typically takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic on the connecting parkways, longer at rush hour. For a late arrival, a group with heavy luggage, or simply wanting a predictable door-to-door ride without checking transit schedules, a taxi or rideshare is the simplest option and only moderately more expensive than the bus for a short group trip split between passengers. Winters in Ottawa are cold and can bring heavy snow, which is worth factoring in if you're weighing up a wait at an open-air bus stop against a heated cab straight to your hotel door.
Renting a car
Ottawa's airport has a consolidated rental car area a short walk from the terminal. A car is genuinely useful if your plans include Gatineau Park just across the river in Quebec, or a wider loop through the Ottawa Valley, but downtown Ottawa itself is compact enough that most visitors don't need one for the city stay itself — parking downtown is limited and not cheap. See our guide to driving in Canada for licence and border basics if you're planning to cross into Quebec.
First-timer tips
Ottawa's airport is small by international standards, and the walk from arrivals to the bus stop or the connecting O-Train link is short. Signage is bilingual in English and French, reflecting the city's status as Canada's capital. If you're arriving on an evening flight, check both the route 97 timetable and current O-Train hours before you land — frequency on both drops off later in the evening, and a taxi becomes the more reliable choice once services thin out.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors on a budget with reasonable luggage, route 97 plus the O-Train network is the cheapest and genuinely workable way into downtown Ottawa, especially during the day when both run frequently. For a late landing, a group, or simply wanting the least fuss, a taxi or rideshare is the more dependable choice. If you're continuing your trip by rail, see our guides to Montreal to Ottawa and Toronto to Ottawa, both served by VIA Rail from Ottawa's central station, and our wider guide to Canada by train.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Ottawa airport to downtown?
OC Transpo's route 97 bus runs directly from the terminal into downtown, connecting with the O-Train network along the way. Taxis and rideshare are also available for a more direct, if pricier, door-to-door trip.
Is there a train from Ottawa airport to the city?
Not a direct one-seat ride from the terminal door, but the O-Train's Trillium Line (Line 2) has been extended to reach much closer to the airport, linked by a short walkway or shuttle, with onward connections into the downtown network. Check current routes before you fly, as the system has expanded significantly in recent years.
How much does a taxi cost from Ottawa airport to downtown?
Fares are metered and moderately higher than the bus for the roughly 20–30 minute trip, a reasonable option for groups, heavy luggage or late-night arrivals when bus and rail frequency drops.
Can I pay for the airport bus with a contactless card?
Yes — tap a contactless bank card directly at the reader when boarding route 97, or use a Presto card, the region's reloadable transit card, which also covers the O-Train network.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport official site.
- Bus and O-Train routes, fares and Presto: OC Transpo.