The best activities in Ottawa, the nation's capital, are found outside of the city, so it's a wonderful place to rent a car. Ottawa has a lot to offer as well, from intriguing architecture to elegant museums and sizable public parks. The lovely national parks of Ontario, which are close by, as well as Montreal or Quebec, are easily accessible with a rental car. Although tourists also adore the Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue, the Kia Rio is the most popular rental car in Canada. Economy, intermediate, and full-size vehicles are the most widely used rental car categories. If you intend to venture outside of Ottawa and into natural settings, the latter may be a wise decision.
Top tips for renting a car in Ottawa
The capital of Canada is a city that never loses its greenery
and is brimming with magnificent parks and gardens. There are many
opportunities to get outside and take in the marvels of nature in Ottawa
because it is situated along the Ottawa River and is connected to the Rideau
Canal. By renting a car, you'll have unmatched access to Gatineau Park's
beautiful hiking paths and more time to visit important cultural landmarks like
the National Gallery and Canadian Museum of History. The best option if you want
to see an Ottawa Senators ice hockey game is to rent a car because the Canadian
Tire Center is more than 25 kilometers (15 miles) away from the city center.
You can drive to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International
Airport (YOW) in less than 20 minutes from the city center, which is situated
around 11 kilometers (7 miles) away. On Level 1 of the parking garage, across
from the baggage claim area, are the counters for the rental companies Alamo,
Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise.
Due to the abundance of parks and outdoor activities, Ottawa
is a great place to ride a bike, so be careful and always check your blind
areas when driving. Unless otherwise noted by signs, it is permissible to turn
right at a red light in Ottawa; nevertheless, always remember to stop at the
junction and make sure the road is free before turning.
Ontario's capital city of Ottawa and its surrounding areas
are well renowned for their frequent, heavy snowfalls. Be particularly cautious
while driving if you want to travel during this time of year, as you will see
some stunning frozen lakes and scenery. It is crucial to often monitor weather
forecasts for details on safety and traffic conditions. Remember to slow down
and give yourself more room and time to stop when driving on icy roads than you
normally would.
Where is the best place to park in Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa offers a public underground parking garage
at City Hall in the center of the city for under $2 CAD ($1.50 USD) per day on
the weekends. If you chance to be here on the weekend, it is advised that you
park here and walk around the downtown area. Enter the National Arts Center
after 4 pm for unlimited parking for just $11 CAD ($8 USD) if you intend to go
there.
How much does it cost per day to rent a car in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, the daily cost of a rental car is around C$62.
Best time to visit Ottawa
Love throngs of people? If the answer to this question is
"yes," then the months of February, May, July, and October are the
best periods to visit Ottawa. These times of year are typically the busiest
since so many visitors come to Ottawa to enjoy the annual Winterlude Festival
in February, the Canadian Tulip Festival in May, and Canada Day on July 1. In
Ottawa, summer lasts from June until August. The temperature might fluctuate between
25 and 30 degrees during these months. Winters are typically covered in snow
and ice, whereas spring and fall are more varied and unpredictable. Overall
though, Ottawa's weather is pleasant enough for visitors to enjoy the many
fantastic attractions our city has to offer.
Driving tips in Ottawa
A rental car will take you to Montreal in around two hours if
you are traveling from Ottawa and taking the Trans-Canada Highway/ON-417 East
and Route Transcanadienne E/Autoroute 40 East. A north-south corridor, Highway
416, connects Ottawa to the remainder of the 400-Series Highway network in
Ontario at the 401. Ottawa is served by two freeway corridors. The main
east-west corridor is made up of provincial Highway 417 and Ottawa-Carleton
Regional Road 174. The Trans-Canada Highway's Ottawa section is also known as
Highway 417. Ottawa features a number of beautiful parkways (or promenades) if
you're looking for any. These include the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway,
Colonel by Drive, Rockcliffe Parkway, and Aviation Parkway, as well as the
Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Ideas for day trips
Montreal: The nearby city of Montreal, the
capital of Canada's French-speaking region, is among the most interesting
cities in North America because of its distinctive past, present, and future.
Park Provincial
Algonquin: Although
the distance from Ottawa to this nature reserve is around 240 kilometers (150
mi), the lengthy trip is nevertheless worthwhile. Numerous Canadian animal and
plant species, including moose, white-tailed deer, bears, great grey owls, and
sugar maple, can be found in the park.
Gatineau: The renowned Canadian Museum of
History is Gatineau's biggest draw, and it is just over the river. The museum,
which was formerly known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, chronicles the
history of human habitation in Canada, from the Bering Strait migration of the
First Nations through the settlement of the Vikings on the eastern coast to the
arrival of Western European immigrants 500 years ago.
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Ottawa?
March is the best month to rent a car in Ottawa,Ontario with Economy class rates beginning at €19.67.
This is 53% less expensive than the yearly average and 75% less expensive than
renting in November (when rates for a Compact class start at € 78.40). Knowing
this can assist you in locating the greatest deal.
