Fly Ottawa to Calgary and see the Stampede
When your flight from Ottawa to Calgary lands at Calgary International Airport, you'll find yourself at the gateway to the Rockies, with mountains to the west and the prairies to the east. As the largest city in the prairies, Calgary offers all the urban amenities of a large metropolitan city with easy access to incredible natural experiences only a short drive away.
When planning your flight from Ottawa to Calgary, you might want to book your flight to coincide with the Calgary Stampede. Billed as “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth”, the world-famous event is held every July and features ten days of rodeo competitions, musical performances, a carnival midway, and agricultural exhibitions. A classic Canadian event celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2023, the Stampede attracts over a million people over 10 days and creates a party atmosphere throughout the city of Calgary.
Take a trip into the past with a visit to Heritage Park, Canada's largest living history museum. Heritage Park is a great place for a day of education and entertainment, with staff adorned in period costumes, a variety of museum exhibits and carnival rides for a bit of excitement amongst the old-fashioned buildings. While you're visiting Heritage Park after your Ottawa to Calgary flight, make sure to stop by the Gasoline Alley Museum and see one of the world's largest collections of antique vehicles.
After a flight from Ottawa to Calgary, music lovers will enjoy a visit to the National Music Centre and Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Explore the ins-and-outs of how music is made, recorded and performed as well as how Canada's cultural identity has been shaped by homegrown talents. Then, check out the memorabilia housed on the top floor at the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and celebrate the achievements of some of Canada's most famous recording artists.
Of course, the city is also home to top quality restaurants, shopping, nightlife and entertainment that will fill your schedule as soon as you land after your Ottawa to Calgary flight.
Flights from Ottawa to Calgary bring you to a beautiful resort town
Banff
Located only an hour and a half west of Calgary is the world-famous mountain town of Banff. The town is nestled within Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park - established in 1885. Getting to Banff after your flight from Ottawa to Calgary is easy. Visitors can rent a car for a short drive into the mountains or take one of many shuttle bus options travelling from YYC airport and elsewhere in the city. Once you've arrived in Banff, local bus services will get you to many of the popular destinations so you don't have to worry about parking and finding your own way around the nearly 7,000 sq. km. park.
Winter travellers from around the world flock to Banff for its world-class skiing. With several resorts to choose from, each providing breathtaking ski runs, your time on the slopes during your trip from Ottawa to Calgary will be exciting and memorable.
Of course, summer is also an incredible time to fly from Ottawa to Calgary and experience Banff in the warm weather. With hiking trails, gondola rides up to mountain peaks, caving adventures, boating and white water rafting, summer is just as fun as the snowy season.
No matter what the weather, you'll want to take a relaxing soak in the Banff Hot Springs after your flight from Ottawa to Calgary. Discovered by rail workers in 1883, the hot springs are a favourite destination for travellers seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains.
Banff is a must-visit destination for adventure, relaxation or just experiencing the majesty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains after your Ottawa to Calgary flight.
See one of the world's oldest Buffalo Jumps after your flight from Ottawa to Calgary
Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump
While travelling from Ottawa to Calgary, it is worth detouring a few hours south of the city to visit the Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage site. This unique site is a historically significant location for the Indigenous Blackfoot peoples who have called the plains home for thousands of years.
Named for the rocky cliff over which Blackfoot hunters drove herds of buffalo for 6,000 years, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump is an excellent learning experience for anyone interested in Canada's pre-European history. Before the decline of the buffalo population due to over-hunting by European settlers, local tribes would chase buffalo over these cliffs, procuring food and other useful materials that would get them through the long winter season.
When visiting Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, visitors will learn about the history of the Plains Buffalo culture and the details of this ancient hunting ground at the amazing interpretive centre, built right into the cliffside. After exploring the exhibits, visitors then have a chance to see the cliff where the hunt took place and take in the natural beauty of the Albertan landscape.
An important part of Canadian and Indigenous history, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump is an incredible experience when you fly from Ottawa to Calgary.
How to get to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Porter’s check-in desk is on the third floor, in the departures area.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is about 10 km / 6 mi from downtown Ottawa.
Transportation to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
There are a few ways to get to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to catch your YOW to YYC flight.
Taxis and ridesharing
Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft offer services to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
By bus
Take the OC Transpo 97 Airport / Bayshore and Bells bus to the airport stop. Visit octranspo.com for information on fares and schedules.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) parking
There are two main parking options at Ottawa Airport with convenient access to all terminals.
The Parkade, with competitive rates, is close to the terminal with rates. The Parkade also offers BIZ Park on Level 3, which includes a dedicated parking area with guaranteed space and easy in-and-out access.
Landing in Calgary after a flight from Ottawa
There are many options for transportation to downtown Calgary from Calgary International Airport (YYC).
The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about 19 km / 11.8 mi from downtown Calgary.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) to downtown
Taxis and ridesharing
Taxi and ridesharing services like Uber and TappCar are available for pick-up and drop-off at Calgary International Airport (YYC). Taxi pick-up locations are located at the Arrivals Level outside of Door 9 and 15. Ridesharing pick-up locations are located at the Departures Level curbside by Door 1 or Door 12.
By bus
You can board the 300 BRT Airport via City Centre bus, which provides rapid and limited stop service to downtown Calgary. Bus tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines located at Bay 7 and Bay 32 in the airport. You can also pay the exact fare to the bus operator (no change provided). Visit calgarytransit.com for more information about fares.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) parking
There are many parking options for travellers looking to drive to or from Calgary International Airport (YYC). Choose from hourly, daily, or weekly rates.
Parking can be booked online ahead of time on the Calgary International Airport (YYC) website.
