Travelling from Montreal to Ottawa: what you need to know
Start your trip planning by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Montreal to Ottawa. Explore the options for setting off from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) or St. Hubert Airport (YHU), two of the city's main airports.
Touch down at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). This is Ottawa's primary arrival point.
Around 45 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Montreal to Ottawa flight.
Montreal and Ottawa share the same timezone, UTC-4.
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 48 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Montreal to Ottawa is with Air Canada at 21:20. Go for the first YUL to YOW departure with Air Canada at 07:55 to fit in more activities on your first day in Ottawa.
To ensure you catch your Montreal to Ottawa flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Montreal to Ottawa
Currently, C$191 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Ottawa. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$367. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap Montreal to Ottawa flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding a bargain.
May is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Montreal to Ottawa. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Finding a cheap flight from Montreal 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 let you know when a better deal is available.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Montreal to Ottawa flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Montreal
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Set out from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) on a nonstop flight from Montreal to Ottawa. From YUL, you can fly straight to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Air Canada is a well-known carrier that offers direct Montreal to Ottawa plane tickets leaving from YUL.
Located around 16 kilometres from the centre of Montreal, YUL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Montreal to Ottawa or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
64.89% of flights that leave from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
YUL's address is 975 Romeo Vachon Street North.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
It usually takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel close to YOW if you're coming in on a late flight from Montreal to Ottawa. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car and discover corners of Ottawa that most visitors tend to miss. Check out the deals from Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Ottawa Gatineau Airport several weeks before your departure to secure the best deal. If you're going away during peak season, it's wise to book your Montreal to Ottawa flight even earlier.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Once your flight from Montreal to Ottawa has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Ottawa is roughly 11 kilometres from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Travelling by public transport will take around 45 minutes.
Forget about public transport timetables or cab lines. Grab an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare offers from Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at YOW will save you money.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Travel to Montreal during high season if you like a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Montreal to Montreal in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Book a Montreal to Ottawa ticket departing in July if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Ottawa to range from 13ºC (55ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Montreal to Ottawa in January when temperatures average between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF).
More about Ottawa
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Ottawa right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Montreal to Ottawa:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are must-visits when exploring Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
Ottawa is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Canada waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres south-west of Ottawa, a visit to Toronto will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District.
Montreal is another well-known destination in Canada and is around 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. No trip is complete without seeing Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.