Flying from Ottawa to Columbus: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Ottawa. Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Ottawa to Columbus departing from here.
Disembark at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), the major arrival point in Columbus.
To ensure you board your Ottawa to Columbus flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Columbus
Booking in advance is often the key to securing a cheap Ottawa to Columbus flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Ottawa to Columbus.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Ottawa to Columbus.
Find an affordable Ottawa to Columbus flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
The journey from central Ottawa to YOW takes about 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 7 miles in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Ottawa to Columbus? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport:
When it comes to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 58.21% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.
Arriving in Columbus
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
The distance from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) to central Columbus is approximately 6 miles. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting there by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to CMH if you're coming in on a late flight from Ottawa to Columbus. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go where the road takes you with a John Glenn Columbus International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Alamo, Budget or Avis and find adventure across Columbus and beyond.
To lock in the best rate, reserve your ride from John Glenn Columbus International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Rates typically rise as your departure date approaches.
The street address for CMH is 4600 International Gateway.
Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)
As soon as your flight from Ottawa to Columbus has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 25 minutes by car. Central Columbus is approximately 10 miles from Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 20 minutes or so.
Best time to go to Columbus
July is the most popular month for flights from Ottawa to Columbus. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Columbus in April.
The warmest month in Columbus is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Ottawa to Columbus ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from Ottawa to Columbus in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF) on average.
More about Columbus
After booking your flight from Ottawa to Columbus, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Columbus:
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Ohio Statehouse are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Columbus itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to German Village.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be discovered. About 280 miles north-west of Columbus, a visit to Chicago will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Indianapolis is another essential stop in United States and is around 170 miles west of Columbus. No journey is complete without dropping by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
