Flying from Vancouver to Ottawa: what you need to know
Start your journey at one of Vancouver's main airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH). Explore your options for booking a flight from Vancouver to Ottawa jetting off from either of these.
When it comes to where you'll land, Ottawa's primary entry point is Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Take a direct Vancouver to Ottawa flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 4 hours 40 minutes.
The timezone in Ottawa is UTC-4, which is three hours ahead of Vancouver.
With 28 weekly flights between the two airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Vancouver to Ottawa with Air Canada at 00:40. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from YVR to YOW is with Air Canada at 21:20.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Vancouver to Ottawa flight.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Ottawa
Book three months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Vancouver to Ottawa flights.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Vancouver to Ottawa. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Finding a cheap flight from Vancouver to Ottawa couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Save on your Vancouver to Ottawa flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
You can get a direct flight from Vancouver to Ottawa departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Begin your trip at YVR and land at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Leading carriers that offer direct Vancouver to Ottawa plane tickets from YVR include:
Travelling from central Vancouver to YVR takes around 35 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Vancouver to Ottawa? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Vancouver International Airport:
When it comes to Vancouver International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 71.77% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
YXX is roughly 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour. If you're planning to take public transport, you can expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Wake up, take it easy and still make your Vancouver to Ottawa flight with time to spare. These accommodation options near Abbotsford Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're setting off early:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights arrive at their destinations without delays. At YXX, that figure is 67.97%.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 14 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Vancouver to Ottawa. Check in to one of these accommodation options near YND instead:
Grab an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car and discover parts of Ottawa that aren't on a typical itinerary. Browse the options available from Hertz.
Reserve your vehicle from Ottawa Gatineau Airport a few weeks before your departure date to get the lowest price possible. If you're travelling during a peak period, it's a good idea to book your Vancouver to Ottawa flight even earlier.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
As soon as your flight from Vancouver to Ottawa has landed, 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).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
Forget about public transport schedules or cab lines. Grab 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.
Score the best price by booking your ride from YOW two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Visit Vancouver during high season if you like a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Vancouver to Vancouver during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
The warmest month in Ottawa is July, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Vancouver to Ottawa ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Ottawa in January when temperatures average between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF).
More about Ottawa
Start your Ottawa trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Vancouver to Ottawa, explore our selection of hotels including:
Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal are just two of the top attractions to add to your Ottawa to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at National Gallery of Canada.
Explore more of Canada
Toronto is just one of the many places in Canada waiting to be explored once you've seen Ottawa. Around 354 kilometres to the south-west, popular attractions include CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District.
Around 153 kilometres east of Ottawa, Montreal is another favourite stop in Canada. Start your sightseeing at Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.