Flying from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW): What you need to know
Organizing your flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) begins with finding the most convenient airport to kick off your journey from. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are your options in Washington DC.
The average time for a direct Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport flight is 1 hour 35 minutes.
Washington DC and Ottawa (where Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located) share the UTC-4 timezone. That means you won't need to change your watch once you land.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the most popular route, with 7 direct services each week. Get from DCA to YOW on Air Canada's 12:55pm departure.
Your flight from Washington DC to YOW won't wait if you're late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
Peak season means busier airports, so aim to get there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stick to your schedule.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
You can hop on a direct flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) leaving from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).
You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport with Air Canada. This popular carrier offers services from DCA.
The airline most travellers choose when flying between DCA and YOW is Air Canada.
The carrier with the most reliable on-time performance on this route is Air Canada. Its services land as planned 70.91% of the time.
DCA is about 8 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Looking to fly out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) flight tickets are available from here.
United Airlines offers direct flights from Washington DC to YOW departing from IAD. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and arrive at your destination in a single stretch.
United Airlines is the most popular choice for travellers flying from IAD to YOW.
United Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying from Washington Dulles International Airport to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, with 73.1% of its services arriving as planned.
You can get to IAD from the centre of Washington DC in approximately 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Taking off bright and early? You might like to check in to one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your Washington DC to YOW flight:
74.39% of flights taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Book a flight ticket from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) departing from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) with one or more stops. Popular stopovers between BWI and YOW are:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
The journey time to BWI from central Washington DC is around 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 50 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Sleep a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport flight with time to spare. These hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport make departure day effortless if you're jetting off early:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77.13%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights departing this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
About Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Get comfy at one of these accommodation options near YOW instead:
Pick up an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car and discover Ottawa and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget are well-known companies to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your ride around two weeks ahead of your Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport flight.
You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.
Getting from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to central Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to the centre of Ottawa is roughly 11 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, plan ahead to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
It takes around 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Currently, C$171 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$376. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to walk away with cheap flights from Washington DC to YOW if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
Cheap Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport tickets are easier to find when your travel dates are flexible. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to compare fares throughout the month and then choose the cheapest day.
Finding a cheap flight ticket from Washington DC to YOW is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Choose the departure times, airlines and number of stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the most affordable option fast.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
August is the most popular month for flights from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). Visit Ottawa in February for a more laid-back experience.
The warmest month in Ottawa is July, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Washington DC to YOW flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January has temperatures of between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Ottawa
After booking your flight from Washington DC to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, find a hotel that's got location and comfort covered. Make one of these options your base for exploring Ottawa:
Rideau Canal National Historic Site and Parliament Hill are a couple of big attractions to put on your Ottawa travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Rideau Canal, Locks 1 - 8 - Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
Ottawa has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Canada you'll want to see. About 153 kilometres east of Ottawa, a trip to Montreal will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like Cirque du Soleil - KURIOS, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.
If you're interested in discovering another major destination in Canada, head for Laval, about 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. Le Cosmodôme, SkyVenture Montréal and illumi Laval are key highlights.