Passport/Visa Requirements: All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
Population: 1,156,000.
Languages: English, French.
Predominant Religions: Christian, though most major religions are represented.
Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Telephone Codes: 613, area code for Ottawa; 819,area code for Gatineau and much of western Quebec;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Currency exchange is fairly straightforward. ATMs are abundant and accept most international banking and credit cards. Exchange rates at banks vary widely, so shop around. For U.S. travelers, U.S. dollars and most major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but we recommend converting cash to Canadian dollars beforehand to get the best rates. In 2007, the Canadian dollar achieved parity with the U.S. dollar for the first time in three decades.
Canada's smallest paper note is the five-dollar bill. The one-dollar coin, popularly called a "loonie" because it has a loon on the back, is gold-colored. The two-dollar coin, which was immediately nicknamed the "toonie" when it was introduced, is gold-and-silver-colored.
Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm except civic holidays. Some may have hours as short as 10 am-4 pm early in the week. TD Canada Trust branches, and banks located in malls, often have longer hours. Some banks are also open on Saturday.
Expect a 14% combined provincial (PST) and federal (GST) sales tax to be added to your bill in restaurants and for other services. Tip an additional 15% for good service.
In shops, the combined 14% tax applies to most goods except books and some foods, which are charged at lower rates.
Visitors may no longer claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on short-term accommodations and most purchases of goods within Canada. (No GST will be charged on goods shipped to a visitor's home outside Canada.) However, business travelers can still claim refunds in some cases. Phone toll-free in Canada 800-668-4748. http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/visitors.
Canadians in general tend to tip slightly conservatively. Most will tip restaurant servers, taxi drivers and hairstylists 10%-20%. Doormen usually get Can$2, and baggage-handlers Can$1 per bag.
Ottawa has warm summers and cold winters with plenty of snow. Summer temperatures range 55-80 F/13-27 C, with some days at or above 90 F/32 C with high humidity. We recommend visiting in late spring (for the tulips) or early autumn (when the trees of Gatineau Park are awash in brilliant hues). Though winter can be very cold (with January highs around 21 F/-6 C), snow-clad Ottawa is at its most picturesque then.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
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| Pressure: | 1011.84544368 Millibars | | Dew Point: | 59 °F/ 15 °C | | Humidity: | % | | Visibility: | 7 Miles / 12 Kilometers | | Wind: | 4 MPH / 7 KPH N | | Comfort Index: | 60 °F/ 16 °F | | Last Updated: | 9/6/2008 4:00:00 PM |
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| SUN | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 71 °F
22 °C | 51 °F
11 °C | | MON | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 71 °F
22 °C | 55 °F
13 °C | | TUE | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 59 °F
15 °C | 44 °F
7 °C | | WED | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SUNNY | 64 °F
18 °C | 42 °F
6 °C | | THU | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 68 °F
20 °C | 53 °F
12 °C |
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| What to Wear | Top |
Ottawa's northern location means that there are four distinct seasons, but it also means that travelers should be prepared for a cold snap any time of year. So take a light jacket or sweater, even in summer. Regardless of when you visit, you'll also want to make sure to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes (or sturdy hiking shoes if you plan to explore nearby parks).
During the freezing winter months (November-March) you'll want to pack a winter coat, warm hat, boots, ear coverings and gloves. From late spring through the summer, pack sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect your face. Black flies and mosquitoes can be a problem on many of the trails and in parks outside town (especially mid-May to June), so if you plan to visit greater Ottawa's natural splendors, take along insect repellent and a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt and pants.
Business travelers should know that Ottawa tends to be a casual city. Generally speaking, you can't go wrong in chinos and a jacket. Casual Fridays have become popular, as well, and it's not uncommon to find young professionals dressed in Hawaiian shirts and sandals in summer. Many restaurants also embrace the overall casual dress code, but it's best to avoid jeans and sneakers.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Most hotels now offer Internet access, with more and more offering wireless service as well. For those who prefer an Internet cafe setting, Bank Street is your best bet in Ottawa.
Flat-screen monitors, DVD burners and spacious workstations top this cafe's list of high-tech goodies. IGo claims the fastest Internet connection in town. You can also sample the delicious muffins, sandwiches, cookies and java. Also offers video conversion, multimedia processing, faxing, scanning and top-drawer games. Daily 24 hours. Can$4 per hour. 223 Bank St., Ottawa. Phone 613-567-0567.
Anyone can use a computer terminal for 15 minutes (or longer if nobody else is waiting). To access a machine for an hour, apply for a free Internet access card (photo ID required). Open Monday-Thursday 10 am-9 pm, Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1 pm-5 pm (closed Sunday from mid-June to early September). The main branch is at 120 Metcalfe St. (corner of Laurier Avenue West), Ottawa. Phone 613-580-2945. http://www.biblioottawalibrary.ca.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
Full postal and express services are available at most Shoppers Drug Mart stores, located in many of the city's malls.
The main branch of Canada Post is at the eastern end of the Sparks Street Mall. Open Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm. 59 Sparks St. (near Parliament Hill), Ottawa. Toll-free 800-267-1177. http://www.canadapost.ca.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
Ottawa's two main English-language daily newspapers are
The Ottawa Citizen and
The Ottawa Sun. The largest French-language daily newspaper in the city is
Le Droit. Political junkies will want to seek out
The Hill Times, a weekly that covers what's happening on Parliament Hill.
Magazines include Ottawa Magazine and Ottawa Life, which feature personality profiles, trends and travel articles focusing on the capital region and beyond.
For entertainment and attractions, try the free alternative weekly XPress and the visitor magazine Where, which cover accommodations, restaurants, festivals, attractions and special events in and around the city. Where also provides good street maps. Capital Xtra is a free gay and lesbian monthly newspaper.
Pay phones are common throughout the city, and most will take either coins or credit cards. The price of a pay-phone call is Can$0.50. All calls must be preceded by an area code (613 on the Ontario side of the river, 819 on the Quebec side). Cell phone coverage is good throughout Ottawa, but it tends to get spotty outside the city, especially on the hilly Quebec side.
| Transportation | Top |
Getting around town is easy in Ottawa, whether by bicycle, on foot or by public conveyance. The downtown area is relatively small, and the major attractions are within easy reach. In fact, most visitors will find they don't need a car. The network of paved pathways is extensive, and locals as well as visitors enjoy walking, biking, cross-country skiing and even skating to get from one place to another (some locals skate to work along the Rideau Canal, and it's common to see commuters clutching their briefcases as they glide along).
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) has a state-of-the-art passenger terminal and is 8 mi/13 km southwest of the city, accessible by driving south on Bronson Avenue, which turns into the Airport Parkway. YOW is served by many U.S. and Canadian airlines. Airport switchboard is open Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm. Phone 613-248-2000. http://www.ottawa-airport.ca.
Connecting Transportation
Best way—YOW Airporter shuttles leave the airport twice an hour. Shuttles run daily from about 5:30 am-midnight year-round. The airport shuttle stops at the curb just outside the arrivals exit and drops passengers at major hotels. Hotel pickups are on an as-needed basis, so ask your concierge to call the shuttle company to make arrangements. Expect to pay around Can$14 one way; Can$24 round-trip. Phone 613-260-2359. http://www.yowshuttle.com.
Other options—The least-expensive way to travel from the airport to downtown Ottawa is on OC Transpo Bus 97 (labeled "Kanata"). One-way adult fare is Can$3. Expect the ride to take about 25 minutes (http://www.octranspo.com). Taxis can be found outside the terminal at the ground transportation station. Expect to pay about Can$30 for the ride into downtown. Major rental car agencies maintain branches at the airport.
Bus service throughout North America. 265 Catherine St. at Kent Street (just north of Highway 417), Ottawa. Phone 613-238-5900. Toll-free 800-661-8747. http://www.greyhound.ca.
True to the city's character, traffic in Ottawa is generally orderly and safe in all seasons, but jaywalking and rule-breaking cyclists can be a problem, particularly downtown. Road conditions in the city are generally good, but drivers should take extra caution in winter, particularly if streets have not been plowed or sanded. Generally streets are plowed very quickly after a snowstorm, but a thin layer of snow may be left in patches. If you are unfamiliar with winter driving, a good rule of thumb is to double your normal braking distance and accelerate about half as fast as you would in the summer. Beware of winter ice storms—listen to local advisories on the radio or television and act accordingly. Monitor your vehicle's antifreeze levels, as water in the radiator (and window-washer reservoirs) can freeze when the vehicle is not running. If you're parking outdoors on a particularly cold day, try to find an electrical outlet where you can plug in your car's block heater (most locally-rented cars come with such heaters, which keep the car's engine block from freezing).
Garage parking is plentiful downtown and averages about Can$12-$20 per day. The street parking meters are regularly monitored by city parking officials eager to ticket cars, so you may want to use the garages instead. Parking is free at meters in many parts of the downtown area on Saturday and Sunday. Winter visitors especially are advised to park in lots, particularly those that are underground or covered. Cars won't ice up or be buried in snow, and drivers can avoid the somewhat confusing rules and regulations regarding the plowing of city streets.
| Public Transportation | Top |
Public transit has two main branches of service: Ottawa City Transpo (OC Transpo) and Societe de transport de l'Outaouais (STO—Gatineau's public transportation system).
OC Transpo's clean, secure buses reach most of Ottawa's major sites. Day passes for unlimited travel are available throughout the city at shops and newsstands for Can$6.50, or for Can$7.25 once you're on the bus. Single-trip fares are Can$3 adults, Can$1.50 children ages 6-11, free for children younger than 6. Exact change required. The O-Train is a single-line train running along the center-west edge of downtown from Bayview station to Greenboro (South Keys). Fares are Can$2.25 and can be purchased from machines on station platforms. 1500 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa. Phone 613-741-4390. http://www.octranspo.com.
Taxicabs in Ottawa have meters and are reliable and safe. They can be hailed on the street or ordered by phone. Most major hotels have cab stands out front. Companies offering 24-hour service include Blue Line (phone 613-238-1111), Capital Taxi (phone 613-744-3333 or 613-830-0202), West-Way Taxi (phone 613-727-0101), Metro City Taxi & Limousine Service (phone 613-260-5999 or 613-260-8340) and Airport Limousine (phone 613-741-7111).
Canada's national rail service provides connections to most major cities in Canada. 200 Tremblay Road (near the Riverside Drive exit of Highway 417 east of downtown), Ottawa. Toll-free 888-842-7245. http://www.viarail.ca.
| For More Information | Top |
| Additional Reading | Top |
The Private Capital, by Sandra Gwyn. McClelland and Stewart. An engaging history of 19th-century Ottawa, full of socialites, politicians and scientists.
Angel Square, by Brian Doyle. Groundwood Books. One of the local author's many children's books, most set in the Ottawa area and some drawing on his own wartime childhood.
Garbo Laughs, by Elizabeth Hay. HarperCollins Canada. Set in contemporary Ottawa, this novel tells the tale of one movie-mad mother and her family.
The Devil's in the Details, by Mary Jane Maffini. RendezVous Press. One of a series of Ottawa-set mysteries featuring sleuth Camilla MacPhee.
| Tourist Offices | Top |
Ottawa's main tourist office is located directly across Wellington Street from the Parliament Buildings. The NCC provides all the information you will need for your visit to Ottawa, including details on accommodations, dining, activities, festivals, events and sports. 90 Wellington St., Ottawa. Phone 613-239-5000. Toll-free 800-465-1867. http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Tourist information is available by phone and on the Web site. 130 Albert St., Suite 1800, Ottawa. Phone 613-237-5150. Toll-free 800-363-4465. http://www.ottawatourism.ca.
