# YOW — Ottawa (Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International)

> YOW (Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International) is the main international airport serving Ottawa, Canada. Source: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/yow-ottawa

## At a glance

- **Best exit method:** OC Transpo Route 97 + Line 2 O-Train to downtown
- **Typical fare:** C$3.95
- **Journey time:** 35–45 min downtown
- **Pickup point:** Route 97 stop outside arrivals
- **Key warning:** Use Presto card or contactless — exact cash awkward
- **Fare reality (YOW → downtown Ottawa):** expected C$3.95 transit; C$30–C$45 rideshare · concerning C$55+ · likely scam C$70 'town car'
- **Overall risk:** low — OC Transpo Route 97 (now via Line 2 LRT) connects to downtown for C$3.95. Rideshare and taxi straightforward.
- **Last updated:** June 2026 (high confidence)

## Ways out of YOW, ranked

1. **OC Transpo Bus + O-Train** _(recommended)_ — cost C$3.95, journey 35–45 min, wait Every 15 min, payment Card.
   - Pros: Cheap; Direct
   - Cons: Two-leg trip
2. **Uber / Lyft** _(recommended)_ — cost C$30–C$45, journey 20–30 min, wait 5–10 min, payment Card.
   - Pros: Direct
   - Cons: Surge
3. **Taxi** _(recommended)_ — cost C$35–C$50, journey 20–30 min, wait Immediate, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: Regulated
   - Cons: Pricier

## First 30 minutes after landing at YOW

1. Bags then exit to ground transport
2. Route 97 outside arrivals
3. Transfer to Line 2 O-Train
4. Total: 35–45 min downtown

## Payment warnings at YOW

- Presto card, contactless, or mobile wallet on OC Transpo

## Arrival checklist for YOW

- Presto or contactless
- Hotel downtown

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Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/yow-ottawa
Source: Airport Exit (https://www.airportexit.com)
Last updated: June 2026

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