Ottawa, the heart of Canada and the national capital region, is an easily accessible destination for travellers across Canada, the U.S., and beyond. With seamless transportation options and a walkable downtown, getting here and exploring the city is effortless.
Published on
Arrive by plane
Ottawa International Airport (YOW), recognized for its accessibility features, provides direct flights to destinations worldwide.
The airport offers a range of services to support flyers, including accessible washrooms, parking spaces and mobility assistance. It also offers the Hidden Disabilities’ global Sunflower Program, which helps passengers with invisible disabilities signal for extra support.
Air Canada is set to reintroduce non-stop, direct flights from Ottawa to London Heathrow. Starting March 31, 2025, four weekly Dreamliner flights will connect Ottawa to one of the world’s busiest hubs, with connections to over 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
Air France is expanding its popular Ottawa to Paris route with daily flights starting June 2025 and will upgrade to the larger Airbus A 350 to accommodate increased demand. This route offers an ideal gateway to Europe with connections to other global destinations.
Porter Airlines is making sunny escapes easier with seasonal non-stop flights from Ottawa to Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida. These routes complement Porter’s growing network in Ottawa, including service to Las Vegas.
Once you land at YOW, reaching downtown is quick via Ottawa’s O-Train, the city’s light rail system. The O-Train station is conveniently located just outside the terminal, on the Departures level. The Airport Link (Line 4) connects the airport to South Keys Station, where you can transfer to the Trillium Line (Line 2), and then Confederation Line (Line 1) at Bayview Station. The entire journey takes about 15 minutes, offering easy access to downtown hotels and event venues.
Learn more about international travel to Canada including borders and customs information.
Arrive by train
Ottawa is also served by VIA Rail, which connects the city with Toronto, Montreal and other major hubs. Ottawa’s main train station at 200 Tremblay Road, is centrally located, making it simple to transition from travel directly to your event. The train station also includes an O-Train station (Tremblay Station on Line 1) that helps connect you to even more destinations, including downtown.
Getting around the city
Simple public transit
Navigating Ottawa once you're in the city is straightforward, thanks to its comprehensive and accessible public transit system and walkability.
Ottawa is designed to be walked, especially in the downtown area, where many hotels and event venues are just steps away from one another. Attendees can move from meetings to networking events to attractions without the need for complicated transportation planning.
The city’s public transit network, operated by OC Transpo, includes buses and the O-Train, both of which are fully accessible. For those with mobility challenges, the O-Train features dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers, along with audible and visual announcements to ensure everyone can move around easily.
Accessible transit and services
While Ottawa’s public transit is fully accessible, Para Transpo offers specialized door-to-door service for individuals who may not be able or want to use regular public transport due to a disability. Visitors can also gain temporary access to Para Transpo, making it a flexible option for those in need of extra assistance while in Ottawa.
Ottawa visitors and residents can also access Whimble, on-demand support that provides personal care attendance services. Whether assistance is needed for navigating the city, attending events or exploring attractions, Whimble ensures a comfortable and tailored experience.
Cycling and strolling the city
Cycling is another fantastic way to explore Ottawa, with over 800 kilometres of bike paths and bike-share programs available to visitors.
Navigating the city on foot is seamless with Ottawa’s compact downtown. There are plenty of convention spaces, unique meeting venues, award-winning attractions and mouthwatering restaurants within walking distance of over 6,000 hotel rooms.
Canada’s capital is a convenient hub for meeting events, and Ottawa Tourism is committed to highlighting accessible travel options so all travellers, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the incredible experiences Canada’s capital city has to offer.
