Ottawa is centrally located in the province of Ontario, with the award-winning Ottawa International Airport (YOW) offering daily direct connections to over 30 Canadian, U.S. and European Centres. Access to downtown from the airport is a quick 20-minute transfer via public bus or in a taxi (approximately $40 CDN). The capital is also serviced by Canada’s train service, VIA Rail, and accessible by a number of major highways.
Ottawa is known for its urban nature and walkable downtown. With over 6,000 hotel rooms within the heart of city, visitors can often walk to conference venues, local hot spots and national sites. Anyone looking to explore beyond Ottawa’s vibrant downtown can utilize Ottawa’s exceptional public transportation system offering easily accessible bus and light rail options. Standard taxi and Uber services are also available throughout the city.
Getting here
Whether you arrive by plane, train, bus or automobile, with so many travel options available, getting here is easy! For more information on how to get to Ottawa, see our Getting here page.
International Hosting made easy
The Canadian Government makes it easy to host your meeting in Canada. The following references are designed to help ensure smooth travel plans for your delegates and exhibitors.
Visiting Canada:
International delegates may require an eTA in order to visit Canada. Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa. Visa-exempt travelers do not need an eTA when entering Canada by land (e.g. car or bus) or sea.
Use the resources below to see who requires an eTA and how to best prepare for travel to Canada.
Borders & Customs:
The Canadian Government has many programs in place to help make hosting in Canada easy
- Register your event with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to benefit from import privileges that make shipping to Ottawa easy
- Take advantage of customs clearing for show management and exhibit materials directly at your conference venue through the CBSA
- Access information on how to travel to Canada from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure a smooth entry for your delegates
Taxes paid to your Canadian Convention Suppliers may be refundable through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Foreign Convention Tour & Incentive Program *for eligible international conference only
