Travelling from Toronto to Ottawa: what you need to know
Embark on your next adventure from one of Toronto's main airports, Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Check out your options for booking a flight from Toronto to Ottawa departing from either of these.
Touch down at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). This is the primary arrival point in Ottawa.
The average duration of a direct Toronto to Ottawa flight is 1 hour.
Toronto and Ottawa are in the same timezone, UTC-4.
With 108 weekly flights between the two airports, Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Toronto to Ottawa with Air Canada at 00:30. If you'd like to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from YYZ to YOW is with WestJet at 23:45.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Toronto to Ottawa flight.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Ottawa
Book two months before you travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Toronto to Ottawa flights.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Toronto to Ottawa. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Finding a cheap flight from Toronto to Ottawa is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Toronto to Ottawa flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Depart from Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on a nonstop flight from Toronto to Ottawa. From YYZ, you can fly directly into Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct Toronto to Ottawa plane tickets with departures from YYZ, including:
Located around 19 kms (12 miles) from the centre of Toronto, YYZ can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to Pearson International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Toronto to Ottawa, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
63.97% of flights taking off from Pearson International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
You can take a nonstop flight from Toronto to Ottawa leaving from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Begin your travels at YTZ and come in for landing at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
From YTZ, you can lock in a direct Toronto to Ottawa plane ticket with Porter Airlines.
Using public transport, you can travel from central Toronto to YTZ in around 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 3 kms (2 miles) away. Driving will take you about 35 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Toronto to Ottawa? Check in to a hotel near Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport before your trip officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 62%.
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
The journey time to YKF from the centre of Toronto is around 4 hours 5 minutes by public transport. If you're in a car, it'll take you about 1 hour 15 minutes to cover the 80 kms (50 miles) or so.
Make departure day worry-free — stay close to Region of Waterloo International Airport and know you'll reach the terminal with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Toronto to Ottawa flight:
Flights that depart from YKF make it to their destination on schedule 63.64% of the time.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
The distance from Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa is approximately 14 kms (9 miles). It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Toronto to Ottawa. Check in to one of these accommodation options near YND instead:
Grab an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car and discover corners of Ottawa that aren't on a typical itinerary. Find your perfect set of wheels with Hertz.
To get the lowest possible price, book your vehicle from Ottawa Gatineau Airport a few weeks in advance. Rates typically rise as your departure date approaches.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Central Ottawa is located around 11 kms (7 miles) from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). Once your flight from Toronto to Ottawa has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 45 minutes or so.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or long cab queues. Pick up an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare rates and availability from Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from YOW two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Before booking your flights from Toronto to Toronto, think about which time of year is best for you. High season in Toronto offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Ottawa is July, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Toronto to Ottawa ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap flights from Toronto to Ottawa in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF) on average.
More about Ottawa
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Ottawa right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Toronto to Ottawa:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are leading attractions which should feature on any good Ottawa itinerary.
Explore more of Canada
You've done Ottawa, now it's time to discover other corners of Canada. Travel around 220 miles south-west to Toronto to tick off its leading sights. From CN Tower to Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Canada, consider Montreal, about 95 miles east of Ottawa. Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal are among the biggest draws.