Flying from Vancouver to Ottawa: what you need to know
Countless great adventures start at one of Vancouver's main airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH). Check out your options for booking a flight from Vancouver to Ottawa leaving from either of these bases.
Hop off the plane at Ottawa International Airport (YOW). This is the major gateway to Ottawa.
Around 4 hours 40 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Vancouver to Ottawa flight.
Ottawa's timezone is UTC-5, which makes Ottawa three hours ahead of Vancouver.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 31 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Vancouver to Ottawa is with Air Canada at 21:20. Opt for the first YVR to YOW departure operated by Air Canada at 00:40 to make the most of your first day in Ottawa.
Leave plenty of time to catch your Vancouver to Ottawa flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak month like August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Ottawa
Book one month before you want to fly. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Vancouver to Ottawa flights.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Ottawa is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Vancouver to Ottawa is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has dropped.
Save money on your Vancouver to Ottawa flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Vancouver to Ottawa, you can depart from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Get from YVR to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) without making any stops.
Well-known carriers that offer direct Vancouver to Ottawa plane tickets departing from YVR include:
YVR is around 10 kilometres from central Vancouver. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Vancouver to Ottawa? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Vancouver International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Vancouver International Airport, 77% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
YXX is around 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Sleep a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Vancouver to Ottawa flight with time to spare. These hotels near Abbotsford Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're flying out early:
The on-time performance record of YXX is 75%. In simpler terms, that's how often flights from this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to central Ottawa takes about 20 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It typically takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near YOW if you're coming in on a late flight from Vancouver to Ottawa. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Ottawa International Airport rental car and explore Ottawa and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget are well-known companies you can book with here.
Reserving your vehicle from Ottawa International Airport around two weeks in advance gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
YOW is situated at 50 Airport Road.
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) is roughly 14 kilometres from the centre of Ottawa. Explore your options for making your way into town after your flight from Vancouver to Ottawa has arrived.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to YND. Tuck yourself in after your Vancouver to Ottawa flight at any of these well-located options:
Get the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left over, by reserving your ride from YND ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially when demand is high.
Best time to go to Ottawa
July is the busiest month for flights from Vancouver to Ottawa. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Ottawa in November.
Before locking in your Vancouver to Ottawa tickets, think about what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in Ottawa, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC to 28ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Ottawa in January when temperatures average between -19ºC and -2ºC.
More about Ottawa
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Ottawa right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from Vancouver to Ottawa:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal, Locks 1 - 8 - Ottawa are must-visits when exploring Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
You've seen Ottawa, now it's time to discover other parts of Canada. Travel about 354 kilometres southwest to Toronto to tick off its top attractions. From CN Tower to Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Islands, your itinerary will be busy.
Montreal is another essential stop in Canada and is around 161 kilometres east of Ottawa. No journey is complete without visiting Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Montreal International Jazz Festival and Cirque du Soleil.