Minibus Hire Canada

Charter Bus and Motorcoach Hire in Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa is laid out well for motorcoach groups. The city publishes where tour buses may load and park around Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market, and the list is short enough to plan a whole day around.

Where the group steps on and off

The City of Ottawa lists four tour bus pick-up and drop-off stretches near the Hill and the Market: the north side of George Street between Sussex Drive and ByWard Market Square, the east side of Metcalfe Street between Queen and Sparks, the south side of Queen Street between Metcalfe and Elgin, and both sides of Wellington Street between Kent and Bank.

They are listed for pick-up and drop-off; parking is a separate list. Send the program with each stop listed and the operator matches every one to the nearest stretch.

MAN 57-seat coach, exterior
MAN 57-seat coach, exterior

Where the coach parks

Tour bus parking is listed on the south side of George Street, the north side of Daly Avenue between Colonel By Drive and Nicholas Street, Commissioner Street, Metcalfe Street between Argyle and McLeod, Carling Avenue between Preston and Booth, and Princess Avenue. Buses may also use spaces beside yellow parking meters, paying at the meter or with a Tour Bus Parking Permit bought through PayByPhone.

For a Parliament tour the pattern is simple: drop on Wellington, park on Daly or George, come back at a set time.

Airports serving Ottawa

Stadiums and arenas

  • Canadian Tire Centre — Ottawa Senators (NHL), concerts; in Kanata, west Ottawa
  • TD Place — Ottawa Redblacks (CFL), Atlético Ottawa (CPL), Ottawa 67's (OHL), Ottawa Charge (PWHL); Lansdowne Park
  • National Arts Centre — Theatre, orchestra and touring shows

Day trips and transfers from Ottawa

  • Gatineau Park — about 15 km, about 20 min
  • Parc Omega (Montebello) — about 80 km, about 1 h
  • Upper Canada Village (Morrisburg) — about 90 km, about 1 h
  • Thousand Islands (Gananoque) — about 170 km, about 1.75 h
  • Kingston — about 195 km, about 2 h
  • Montreal — about 200 km, about 2 h
  • Mont-Tremblant — about 165 km, about 2 h

Coach rules in Ottawa

  • Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is about 14 km by road south of downtown, about 20 min in light traffic and longer at peak times.
  • City of Ottawa tour bus pick-up and drop-off locations near Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market: north side of George Street (Sussex Drive to ByWard Market Square), east side of Metcalfe Street (Queen to Sparks), south side of Queen Street (Metcalfe to Elgin), and both sides of Wellington Street between Kent and Bank.
  • Tour bus parking is listed on the south side of George Street (Sussex Drive to ByWard Market Square), the north side of Daly Avenue (Colonel By Drive to Nicholas Street), Commissioner Street, Metcalfe Street (Argyle to McLeod), Carling Avenue (Preston to Booth) and Princess Avenue.
  • Tour buses may use spaces beside yellow parking meters, paying at the meter or with a Tour Bus Parking Permit bought through PayByPhone.
  • On Canada Day (1 July) Wellington Street and much of the downtown core are closed to traffic; only vehicles with an official access pass, hotel guests with a reservation and residents are let through.
  • Gatineau is in Quebec: Québec's winter-tire rule (1 December to 15 March) applies to Québec-registered vehicles only; vehicles registered outside Québec are exempt.

Canada Day closures

On 1 July, Wellington Street and much of the downtown core are closed to traffic. Only vehicles with an official access pass, hotel guests with a reservation and residents get through. Without a pass, choose a drop-off outside the closure and plan to walk in.

Airport buses, the Gatineau side and day trips

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is about 15 km south of downtown, 20 to 25 minutes by road. Pre-arranged vehicles load on Level 1 at Pillars 12 and 13, on the curb furthest from the terminal.

Groups staying in Gatineau hotels are picked up on the Quebec side; Gatineau Park is about 20 minutes away. The Canadian Museum of History is across the river in Gatineau, Quebec. Québec's winter-tire rule applies only to Québec-registered vehicles, so an Ontario coach crossing for the day is exempt.

Upper Canada Village and Parc Omega are each about an hour away. The Thousand Islands at Gananoque is about 1.75 hours, and Kingston, Montreal and Mont-Tremblant are each about 2 hours.

Questions

Can the coach wait on Wellington Street during a Parliament tour?

No. Wellington between Kent and Bank is listed for pick-up and drop-off, not for parking. The coach sets you down, parks at one of the listed tour bus spots and returns for you.

Is there bus parking near the ByWard Market?

Yes. The south side of George Street between Sussex Drive and ByWard Market Square is listed for tour bus parking, and the north side is for loading.

Should a school group avoid Canada Day?

Not necessarily, but expect to walk. The downtown core is closed to traffic without an official access pass.

How long is the airport run?

About 15 km, usually 20 to 25 minutes to downtown.

Is there a minibus for a smaller group?

Yes. A minibus seats 16 to 19 and a midi coach 29 to 35, both with a driver.

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