Car Rental in Ottawa
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Ottawa Airport
Compact
Nissan Versa
or similar
$37.80
per day
Ottawa Airport
Economy
Chevrolet Spark
or similar
$49.29
per day
Ottawa Airport
Premium Regular Cab Pickup
Ford F-150
or similar
$52.70
per day
Ottawa Airport
Intermediate
Hyundai Elantra
or similar
$61.37
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Ottawa Airport
Compact Elite
Toyota Corolla
or similar
$70.32
per day
Ottawa Airport
Standard
Kia Forte
or similar
$39.26
per day
Ottawa Airport
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu
or similar
$56.63
per day
Ottawa Airport
Luxury
Audi A4
or similar
$75.75
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 3:50 AM on 11/19/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Special offers
As a market leader, we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
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A combined rating of 4.5 with 175k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Travel Information
Languages
English, French
Currency
CAD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$55 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
40 - 70 km/h or 25 - 43 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 110 km/h or 50 - 68 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gas price
$1.09 per liter or $4.12 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.00 per liter or $3.79 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.18 per liter or $4.47 per gallon
Why rent a car in Ottawa?
Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is a great place for renting a car as some of the best things to do in Ottawa lie outside of the city. There’s plenty to enjoy in Ottawa, too, from interesting architecture to classy museums and large public parks. With a rental car, nearby Montreal or Quebec and Ontario’s beautiful national parks are also within your reach.
One-Way Car Rentals in Ottawa
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Ottawa and drop off in another city include:
- From Ottawa to Toronto - 34 offers from $73.38 per day
Top ways to enter Ottawa
- Ottawa Airport: Although not as large as some other airports in Eastern Canada, flying here is still the most convenient way to reach the capital city. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport handled over five million travelers in 2018 and provides flights to all the largest cities in Canada, the United States, and beyond. Located 13 km (8.1 mi) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
- Montreal Airport: Located just 184 km (114 mi) east of Ottawa, Montreal-Trudeau Airport has flights to and from many destinations in North America, as well as in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The airport is expected to handle 20 million travelers in 2019 for the first time in its history.
- Toronto Pearson Airport: With 49 million served passengers in 2018, Toronto Airport is by far the largest in Canada and one of the busiest in the Americas. A hub for Air Canada, West Jet, and a number of other companies, the airport has flights to and from all inhabited continents of the world. Located 460 km (285 mi) southwest of Ottawa, Toronto Airport can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
City facts
- Ottawa has a humid continental climate with warm summers, cold winters, and four separate seasons. The average high temperature is 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in July, the warmest month, and -5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in January, the coldest. Ottawa has rather high precipitation throughout the year. It’s quite rainy from May to October; in winter, the city experiences a lot of snowfall.
- Although Ottawa is Canada’s capital, it is only the fourth most-populated city in the country. Just over 1 million people live in Ottawa and its metropolitan area.A culturally and linguistically diverse city, Ottawa is home to diasporas from all over the world; many indigenous Canadians also live in the city.
- Ottawa borders Gatineau, a city in the Quebec region that is just across the Ottawa River. Together they form the National Capital Region. Unlike Ottawa, Gatineau is overwhelmingly French-speaking.
Top sights and activities
- Parliament Hill. Located in the very center of the city and overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the number one landmark of Canada's capital. Here you can visit the Parliament of Canada, the House of Commons, the Senate, and the recently renovated Library of Parliament. Known simply as The Hill by locals, the former military fort was turned into a governmental hub in the mid-19th century.
- Canada Museum of Nature. Full of artifacts, fossils, and fascinating stories, this modern and interactive museum is the best place to learn about Canada's history, geology, and animals. First established more than 160 years ago, this is nowadays one of the most modern and advanced cultural institutions of its kind in North America. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more.
- National Gallery. Worth visiting for its unique building alone, the National Gallery is home to some of Canada's finest artworks. Covering both classical and contemporary art, it features works by practically all of the most notable Canadian masters, as well as artists of international fame such as Botticelli, Matisse, and Turner.
- Rideau Canal. If you’re visiting Ottawa during the colder months of the year, be sure to try ice skating on the city’s canal. Often frozen over for months, skating on the Rideau Canal is one of the favorite pastimes of locals and tourists alike. Near the canal, you’ll find skate rental places, as well as cafes to keep you fuelled while you’re on the ice.
Traffic and parking
- The speed limits vary between different roads. The general limits are 90 km/h to 110 km/h on motorways and outside cities and from 30 km/h to 50 km/h inside cities.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05%. Driving under influence exceeding the limit is a criminal offence and can lead to hefty fines, a driving ban, and even imprisonment.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your license with you at all times.
- Using the mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The rule is strictly imposed with high fines.
- The phone number for emergencies is 911.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads in eastern Canada.
Ontario Highway 407 is toll road for which you can only pay electronically. As you will be driving a rental car, the bill will be automatically sent to your rental car provider. The exact fee will depend on how long will you drive along this road. Some rental providers do include an additional toll charge fee. Do get in touch with your rental car provider in advance to find out more. Visit the official Highway 407 website to find out more information about fees and payment methods.
Highway 412 is another toll road in Ontario. It is part of the same toll system as the Highway 407. The exact fee will depend on the time of the day and the day of the week of your travel, as well as the length of your travel along this road.
There are some other toll roads in Ontario. Do look them up in advance depending on your planned route.
In the rest of Canada, payment method and fees differ for different toll roads. It is best to look them up in advance, finding the information for each province in which you plan to travel. You can also use a toll calculator to calculate the approximate fees for your upcoming ride.
Ideas for day trips
- Montreal. The capital of French-speaking Canada, nearby Montreal is one of the most interesting cities of North America thanks to its unique history, culture, and atmosphere.
- Algonquin Provincial Park. This nature area is about 240 km (150 mi) from Ottawa, but the rather long road is nevertheless worth traveling. The park is home to countless fauna and flora species associated with Canada, from moose, white-tailed deer, bears, and great grey owls to sugar maple.
- Gatineau. Just across the river, Gatineau's main attraction is the famous Canadian Museum of History. Previously called Canadian Museum of Civilization, it tells the long story of human settlement in Canada, from First Nations migrating on the Bering Strait to Vikings settling on the eastern coast and Western European colonists arriving 500 years ago.
Most popular cars
The most picked rental car in Canada is the Kia Rio, although travelers also love the Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue. The most popular rental car types are economy, intermediate, and fullsize. The latter can be a good choice if you plan to travel outside Ottawa and into nature areas.
Further destinations
- Toronto. About a four-hour drive southwest of Ottawa, Ontario's (and Canada’s) largest city is a great place to visit thanks to its unique neighborhoods, bustling arts scene, and hip atmosphere. Don’t miss out on landmarks like the CN Tower and Black Creek Pioneer Village, then drive to explore nearby Niagara.
- Quebec. Located right across the river from Ottawa, the mainly French-speaking region of Quebec is not just the aforementioned Montreal. Attractions of this culturally distinct region include its sophisticated capital, Quebec City, whale-watching in Saguenay, and no fewer than 22 national parks.
- The United States. Vast, culturally fascinating, and with endless things to see and do, you might naturally feel tempted to visit Canada’s southern neighbor. Famous cities like Detroit, Boston, and New York are all a seven-to-eight-hour drive away from Ottawa. There are car rental companies that permit cross-border travel (you can find those by inserting car pickup and dropoff locations on our website), but you should check to see if you need a visa to visit the United States.
Car rental prices in Ottawa
- Large cars - from $38 per day
- Medium cars - from $38 per day
- Vans - from $79 per day
- Premium cars - from $50 per day
- Small cars - from $45 per day
- SUVs - from $38 per day
Money-saving and other tips
Follow these tips to get a good rental car deal in in Ottawa:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Ottawa is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average.
Fact checked by
Hannah
This article was reviewed and updated by Hannah, the adventurer behind That Adventurer, a travel blog for active travellers. If you like exploring new places by hiking, biking, kayaking or paddleboarding, then you’ll enjoy That Adventurer’s travel guides. Originally from the UK, Hannah has lived in Canada, Norway and France.
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Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Ottawa?
Car rental prices in Ottawa vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Ottawa
The cheapest month to rent a car in Ottawa is April (when prices average $23.75 per day). This is 40% cheaper than the yearly average and 65% cheaper than renting in January (when prices average $67.35).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Ottawa?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 9 days, and in February, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Ottawa
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Ottawa?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Ottawa is June, and the least popular is February.
Monthly searches in Ottawa by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 10 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | Routes Car Rental, Alamo, Avis, Europcar, National |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Large cars, Small cars, Medium cars |
| Lowest price | $38 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Routes Car Rental |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routes Car Rental | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Routes Car Rental | Kia Soul | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Nissan Versa | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Kia Sorento | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Routes Car Rental | Ford E150 Cargo | 2 | 4 | Medium cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Dodge ProMaster 1500 | 3 | 20 | Large cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Dodge RAM 1500 | 4 | 4 | Premium cars |
| Avis | Hyundai Elantra | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Routes Car Rental | Kia Forte | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
KF
Canada
Nissan Rogue
8/16/23
Wedding
Toured Ottawa
MR
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
12/20/22 
FG
Canada
Toyota Corolla
4/9/21
The cleanliness of the shuttle van was poor, there was visible food on the seats and floor on our pick up and drop off.
KM
Canada
Honda Civic
8/15/19
Just plan for a bit of time to go there.
HC
United States of America (USA)
Jeep Cherokee
2/11/19
Fairly small city. Lots of historical buildings. People are friendly and you don't have to speak French like you do in Quebec or Montreal.
RG
Canada
Jeep Cherokee
1/25/19
Great place to see and you need to rent a car so you can go and do things at your own pace
JP
Germany
Toyota Yaris Advance
1/2/19
make sure you get a rental right at the aiport!
WL
Canada
Kia Rio
10/9/18
Ottawa is a fantastic destination. A car is handy for side trips to places like the Gatineau or Merrickville
KJ
Canada
Kia Rio
9/20/18
Did not see much of Ottawa as we were just visiting family there. We drove about an hour away visiting Perth, Newboro and Elgin and other areas in the Rideau Lakes district. We really enjoyed the beauty of the countryside. We had our folding bikes along enabling us to enjoy part of the Cataraqui trail (former railbed). It was a very good experience.
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Alamo
8.6 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Europcar
7.1 / 10
Total number of reviews
12
Total rental companies
9
Average daily price
$55.40
Lowest daily price
$37.80
Total cars available
135
Top 9 suppliers in Ottawa in 2024
Alamo
1 location
$49 - $198
Avis
7 locations
$56 - $203
Hertz
1 location
$56 - $203
National
2 locations
$52 - $208
Dollar
5 locations
$52 - $208
Thrifty
6 locations
$52 - $208
Budget
5 locations
$52 - $208
Routes Car Rental
1 location
$38 - $62
Europcar
1 location
$70 - $87
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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