Ottawa Transportation Tips by luke82

Mcdonald-Cartier Airport - YOW Travel by Air Review

Ottawa's International Airport is located south of the city. The new terminal which opened last year makes the airport comparable to others throughout the world.

With lots of domestic and international flights the airport is busy year round. The best way to get into the city from the airport is hopping on the OC bus #97. Should get you into downtown in about 30 minutes.

Check the airport website for more information.

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Website: http://www.ottawa-airport.ca/index-e.php

VIA Rail Travel by Rail Review

Name me a city that has the central train station 15 km south of downtown? You got that right ... the answer is Ottawa. Sometime in the mid 60s, or even later (don?t know the date exactly) the counselors of this city decided to move the train station from downtown (5 min walk from the Parliament Buildings) to the Alta Vista area. I am sure they had their reasons at the time, but right now the move looks totally illogical. The old central train station building is still standing in downtown Ottawa, but it is now being used as an exhibition centre or maybe a museum; don?t really know as I have never been inside. I just shake my head every time I walk past it.

The new train station is fairly modern, with lots of parking, and is located on the transitway, so overall it is still easily reachable. VIA rail is the national rail company of Canada, and it serves Ottawa quite nicely. Frequent trains run to and from Montreal (2hrs) and Toronto (4hrs).

Prices with the ISIC card are as follows: One way to Montreal around 25$, one way to Toronto $50. Without the card, expect to pay 30% more.

Trains are comfortable, but not as fast as the ones across Europe. They are also hardly ever full, so last minute tickets should be available.

To get to downtown, take bus 95 BASELINE / FALLOWFIELD. Should take about 15 min or so. A cab ride from the train station to downtown im guessing would be around 20$.

Mode: TO

Type: Train

Website: http://www.viarail.ca/

The "OC" ... transpo that is... Public transit - city Review

One of the few cities left in the world with a population of over 1 million to not have a dedicated light rail / subway system. Although one is in the works, but it wont be completed until 2010.

The OC Transpo bus system does an adequate job in getting people around the town. The busses are rarely late and very clean. They get crowded during rush hour, but that is expected. The busses run on a system of bus only lanes called the "Transitway". Maps are available on the website.

Regular bus fare is $3.00, but you can buy a sheet of bus tickets at many kiosks, and stores throughout the city. I recommend buying tickets as you will pay 95 cents per ticket, and you need two tickets to get on a bus! So you save $1.

Ask for transfer, they are valid for unlimited transfers for about 1.5 hrs.

Day passes are available as well..

Oh and when refferring to the bus system... it is common to use the term "OC"... ie. Where is the closest OC stop?, or '*** I just missed the OC, when does the next one come?'

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.octranspo.com