Charter bus transfers at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (YOW)
Ottawa lets only licensed operators do paid pick-ups, and only pre-arranged ones. For a school or association group, the bus is booked before the flight and meets you at a fixed spot on Level 1.
Pillars 12 and 13
All licensed transportation uses Level 1, the Arrivals level. Pre-arranged services pick up and drop off at Pillars 12 and 13, on the curb furthest from the terminal. Passenger loading is not permitted on Level 3, Departures, so do not arrange to meet the bus upstairs.
Curbs are for active loading and unloading only, and waiting drivers are sent to the Cell Phone Lot. Have the group gathered, bags and all, before the driver pulls up.
A licence, and a gate for visiting coaches
Commercial transportation at YOW needs an airport transportation licence, which covers pre-arranged service only. Licensed vehicles enter the commercial area with an airport-issued AVI transponder tag. Occasional or out-of-town operators report to the main commercial access gate intercom, or call ahead, before picking up.
That matters when the coach comes from elsewhere, say a Quebec company collecting a group it will take on to Montreal. Unlicensed operators who skip the gate are refused the pick-up and escorted off the premises. Licensees also pay a per-pick-up fee that varies by vehicle type, up to charter buses; ask whether the quote includes it.
Where the driver meets you
- All licensed transportation is on Level 1 (Arrivals); pre-arranged services pick up and drop off at Pillars 12 and 13, on the curb furthest from the terminal. Passenger loading is not permitted on Level 3 (Departures).
Where coaches and buses wait
- Licensed vehicles enter the commercial area using an airport-issued AVI transponder tag; occasional or out-of-town operators report to the main commercial access gate intercom (or call ahead) before picking up.
Drive to downtown
- about 14 km by road to Parliament Hill, about 20 min in light traffic; longer at peak times
Parliament Hill and the core
Parliament Hill is about 14 km by road, some 20 minutes outside the rush. The City of Ottawa lists tour bus pick-up and drop-off locations nearby, among them both sides of Wellington Street between Kent and Bank and the east side of Metcalfe Street from Queen to Sparks. Tour bus parking is separate, on streets such as Daly Avenue and Commissioner Street.
On Canada Day, 1 July, Wellington Street and much of the downtown core close to traffic. Only vehicles with an official access pass, hotel guests with a reservation and residents are let through, so plan that day's hotel drop-off well ahead.
Beyond downtown
The EY Centre is near the airport, convenient for exhibitions. Groups staying in Gatineau cross into Quebec, where the winter-tire rule applies only to Québec-registered vehicles. The O-Train links the airport station to South Keys, useful for one late passenger.
Questions
Where does the bus meet us at Ottawa airport?
At Pillars 12 and 13 on Level 1, the Arrivals level, on the curb furthest from the terminal.
Our coach company is from out of town. Can it still collect us?
Yes, if it follows the airport's process. Occasional and out-of-town operators report to the main commercial access gate intercom, or call ahead, before the pick-up. An unlicensed operator that arrives without reporting is turned away.
We fly on to the United States afterwards. Anything to plan?
YOW has U.S. Customs preclearance for flights to the United States. Allow for it when you set the return drop-off time.
Cities
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-81 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 16-19 seats
- Executive Sprinter van — 17-19 seats
- Executive car (sedan or SUV) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats
School or association trip to Ottawa?
Send the flights, headcount, luggage and the hotel or first stop. We ask licensed partner operators to quote, and you decide.
Request a quote or call +1 438 809 0370