If there’s one day trip from Montreal that you have to do, it’s visiting Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa is the capital of Canada after all.
Montreal and Ottawa are practically twin cities they’re so close! Plus, Ottawa is small enough to explore in one day (but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend longer in the city either!).
I’ve only visited Ottawa from Montreal a few dozen times by now. So I’ll give you all the details on how to get from Montreal to Ottawa, and what to do while you’re there.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Is One Day In Ottawa Enough?
Let’s be real, one day in any city is never really enough. You’ll most likely feel a bit rushed trying to do everything in Ottawa in a day.
That’s also not to say it’s isn’t doable. You’ll still get to see the important parts in the city centre.
And, if you’re just looking for an easy escape from Montreal, then Ottawa is a perfect choice!
You can always opt to stay the night in Ottawa – there is no shortage of hotels…
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How To Go On A Day Trip From Montreal To Ottawa
There are a few ways to get from Montreal to Ottawa. You can drive, take the bus, train, or even go on an organized tour for the day.
I’ll go over each option so you can decide which is best for you…
Montreal To Ottawa Drive…
The drive from Montreal to Ottawa, or the Ottawa to Montreal drive is about 2 hours (if there’s no traffic of course!). And it’s not a very exciting drive either….
You’re driving by A LOT of farmland. First in Quebec, and then in Ontario!
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Driving will be the cheapest option if you already have a car, and are travelling with multiple people. Driving from Montreal to Ottawa is also the most flexible of all the options. You can come and go as you please, and you won’t be waiting on a scheduled itinerary.
P.S. Need to rent a car? Check out Enterprise Car Rentals in Montreal.
The one thing to watch out for on the Montreal to Ottawa drive is that there’s a stretch after you leave Quebec where there’s nothing! I swear, there are limited gas and food options for a good 25 minutes after Rigaud, Quebec.
The last easy on-off gas station in Quebec is in Rigaud until you reach Herb’s Travel Plaza in Ontario. (So keep that in mind when you’re driving back from Ottawa as well…)
If you can, you will want to fill up with gas in Ontario – it will be cheaper than in Quebec!
Parking In Downtown Ottawa
The main complication of driving on a day trip from Montreal is parking in Ottawa. There’s no avoiding it – if you drive to Ottawa, you have to park in Ottawa!
While there is street parking in downtown Ottawa, it’s not that easy to find, and is still paid.
If you’re willing to go a bit further outside the main part of downtown Ottawa, you might get lucky with a free spot. You’ll want to head to the Golden Triangle (further down Elgin Street). Here, you might be able to find free street parking on the side streets.
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Street parking offers more flexibility if you think you’ll be moving the car to visit different parts of Ottawa.
But there’s also no shortage of indoor parking garages that will give you a daily rate. Going straight for a lot will definitely save you time and you’ll be closer to the main attractions in Ottawa.
I’ve parked at the National Arts Centre Parkade, which is very centrally located. But there are also a few lots in Byward Market.
Do You Need A Car Once You’re In Ottawa?
The ultimate question is whether you need a car once you’re in Ottawa. This depends on what you’re interested in doing while you’re there.
If this is your first time visiting Ottawa and just planning on staying in the city centre, then you really don’t need a car. Ottawa is quite small and everything is centrally located, and very much within walking distance of each other.
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Of course, there are some attractions that are a bit further outside the city centre, but there is more than enough to do in the city itself.
Public transit in Ottawa isn’t as good as Montreals. Bus times can be unreliable, so if you do plan on taking one, make sure to plan to be early.
Alternatives To Driving To Ottawa
Ride Share – Ottawa To Montreal Drive Alternative
If you don’t have a car, the closest alternative to driving yourself to Ottawa is to take a Ride Share.
Montreal to Ottawa (and back) is a very popular drive for locals to make. A lot of Montrealers commute there everyday for work (and vice versa). So it’s not hard to find a rideshare at a time that works for you.
You can use PopARide, which works similarly to Uber. The drivers have ratings and reviews. One way is about $30, but will vary based on the driver.
Taking The Bus To Ottawa
A great alternative to driving from Montreal to Ottawa is to take the bus. This way, you can sleep on the way there and back! It’s definitely less stressful but takes away a bit of your flexibility.
The bus is from the Orlean Express. It has a few stops in both Montreal, Gatineau, and Ottawa. The trip from downtown Montreal to downtown Ottawa is a bit over 2 hours.
You’ll want to get off at the Ottawa University stop – it’s the closest to downtown Ottawa.
Prices range from $40 to $60, depending on whether you want a flexible booking. The bus leave as early as 7:00 A.M. which means you’ll arrive in Ottawa just after 9:00 A.M..
On the way back, the bus will leave around 6:30 P.M.. See the updated schedule.
Train From Montreal To Ottawa
The train from Montreal to Ottawa is going to be more expensive, and still take the same 2 hours (although there’s less of a chance of getting stuck in any traffic!). Prices vary between $40 and $180! The rate depends on availability, package, and seat choice.
If you are travelling during the week, you’ll be able to catch an early morning train as early as 6:20 A.M.!
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Otherwise, they leave closer to 9:00 A.M. on the weekends, so you’ll arrive in Ottawa just after 11:00 A.M.
It’s also important to note that the Ottawa train station is outside downtown Ottawa. So you will still need to find your way to the city centre.
There’s no public transit that connects through here (I don’t understand why!), so I would suggest getting a taxi or Uber (otherwise it’s an hour long walk!).
On the way back, trains leave at around 7:00 P.M., arriving back in Montreal at 9:00 P.M.. See the updated schedule.
Organized Tours From Montreal To Ottawa
The easiest way to get from Montreal to Ottawa is to go on an organized tour. This will offer the least flexibility to your day, but also the least stress. You will have your entire day planned for you from pick up to drop off!
There are a few day trips offered through Viator, like this Private day trip from Montreal.
What To Do In Ottawa On A Day Trip From Montreal
The great thing about Ottawa is that it’s very easy to see on a day trip from Montreal. If you thought Montreal was a small city, then you’ll be shocked by the small size of downtown Ottawa.
These are the top things to do with one day in Ottawa…
P.S. Is This Your Second Time Visiting Ottawa?
Check out my alternatives to the top attractions in Ottawa.
See And Visit Parliament (For Free!)
Parliament is kind of hard to miss. It’s HUGE, and really at the edge of Ottawa.
You’re in the nation’s capital, it’s a no brainer to at least see it! But, you can also visit for FREE!
Yup! They offer free scheduled tours of the Parliament.
Walk Through Byward Market
Byward Market is the oldest market in Ottawa. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s still a must-do on a day trip from Montreal.
There are a few blocks of vendors and restaurants. But the main part is the indoor market with more restaurants and tourist shops.
One of the classic places to eat here is at Zak’s Diner. You also don’t want to miss the Ottawa sign for the ultimate photo op!
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Try A BeaverTail
Don’t worry – it’s not what you think! No animals were harmed in the making of a beaver tail!
A BeaverTail is squashed fried dough with the sweet toppings of your choice. They actually originated in Ottawa, but now they’re kind of a Canadian staple!
They have a location in Byward market as well.
The two classic BeaverTail flavours are Hazelnut spread (a.k.a. Nutella) or cinnamon and sugar.
Walk (Or Skate) Along The Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal runs through Ottawa, and today is a beautiful place for a walk or bike ride in the summer, or a skate in the winter.
This is the longest naturally frozen skateway in the world… if it opens at all that is! Winters have been getting warmer and the skateway is opening later and later every year. In fact, 2023 is the first year it didn’t open AT ALL!
But other years, we always make it a point to go on a day trip from Montreal just to skate on the Rideau Canal!
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Shop At The Rideau Center
The Rideau Center is the shopping mall in Downtown Ottawa. It doesn’t seem that exciting, but it’s very convenient if the weather outside isn’t the nicest.
You can escape the outdoors for a bit and do some shopping here. They have all the main stores and more!
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Ogle At The Chateau Laurier
Just like Parliament, you can’t miss the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. This is the grandest hotel of all hotels in Ottawa. It’s like a castle!
Even if you’re not staying here, you can still walk inside or even make a reservation at one of the restaurants – like Zoe’s for afternoon tea (see my tips for afternoon tea!)
There are photographs with some information set up throughout the hotel. You can ask the concierge about where to find them.
Dine Along Sparks Street
Sparks street is the main restaurant street in Downtown Ottawa. It’s a beautiful pedestrian only, cobblestone street. The street is also lined with some incredible age old architecture.
You can come here to admire the street, or to grab a meal. There are tons of restaurants to choose from.
In the summer, most of them will also set up an outdoor terrace to take advantage of the summer heat!
Discover Ottawa: Tours With Viator
See Ottawa by Bus: Ottawa Hop On / Hop Off Bus Tour →
See Ottawa by Bike: Ottawa City Bike Tour →
See Ottawa by Boat: Rideau Canal Cruise Tour →
Check out more Ottawa Ontario organized tours on Viator.
Need A Place To Stay In Ottawa? Hotel Recommendations
I’ve stayed in Ottawa a few times now, each time at a different hotel, so I have a few recommendations for every budget. You can’t go wrong with any of these hotels, they’re all centrally located downtown and just a walk away from everything you’ll need.
The place to stay in Ottawa is none other than the Fairmont The Chateau Laurier – but it is also the most expensive option. You can even upgrade to have a view of the river and Parliament. See options on Fairmont.com or Booking.com.
A more reasonable place to stay (and my favourite) is the Westin Ottawa, especially if you’re visiting in the winter. Modern, updated rooms, you really can’t go wrong. But the best part about the Westin is that it’s directly connected to the Rideau Mall. So you can get all your shopping done without ever stepping foot outside! See room rates & availability on Booking.com.
For a more budget friendly option, stay at the Business Inn and Suites. Let’s just say the rooms don’t have the most modern look, but it’s very practical – giving you a large space for longer stays, breakfast included, and it’s in an even better location downtown (just off of Bank street). See room rates & availability on Booking.com.
See more accommodation options on Booking.com.
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Last update on 2024-05-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API