Scenic sights and urban delights
Nature awaits in the north with flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay, located on the scenic shores of Lake Superior, is your gateway to the great wilderness of Northern Ontario. The Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and Centennial Park are two destinations to head to for unforgettable outdoor experiences. With dramatic backdrops like Kakabeka Falls and Eagle Canyon, flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay deliver wildly beautiful landscapes.
Flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay offer no shortage of fascinating history. Downtown Thunder Bay South includes historic buildings that give you a glimpse of the city’s past. After checking out downtown, head to the Fort William Historical Park, where life in the early 1800s is recreated. With a reconstruction of the world’s largest fur-trading post, you’ll see what days were like in Thunder Bay’s past.
After satisfying your hunger for history, try a taste of Thunder Bay’s favourite treat. Indulge in a Persian, a pink pastry found at the Persian Man bakery. Despite its name, the dessert has its origins closer to home. Local lore says the Persian is named for General Pershing, an American general from the First World War. Regardless of its beginnings, there’s no doubt the Persian will satisfy your sweet tooth.
From the great outdoors to attractions within the city, flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay offer fun at every corner.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
The great, big outdoors
With flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, a 1-hour drive will bring you to the incredible landscape of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Resting on the edge of the Sibley Peninsula, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park stretches into Lake Superior. For a superior view, look out at the lake from the shore or take to the water and look back at the Sleeping Giant.
With the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park’s high points, your flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay isn’t the only heights you’ll reach. Chimney Lookout has stunning views and a staggering drop. Live life on the edge, by stepping out onto the metal platform at Thunder Bay Lookout. Look out or look down for heart-pounding views.
With over 100 km of trails in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, you’ll have your pick of paths to explore. If you prefer to trek the path less travelled, the park offers extensive backcountry hiking. Whatever path you choose, every journey leads to amazing destinations.
While exploring the Provincial Park, keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that make this area their home. From wolves, lynx, moose, foxes, and 200 species of birds, you’re sure to spot a creature roaming the wild. Even if the animals evade your gaze, the park’s boreal forests make a trip to this provincial park well worth flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, whatever the season.
With the park open year round, it’s always a good time to book flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay and visit the Sleeping Giant.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
It’s a walk in the park
When your flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay lands, take a 30-minute drive to the stunning 40-metre falls at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.
The thundering falls should be your first stop when you visit this Provincial Park with flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay. With boardwalks wrapping around the top of the waterfall, you won’t want to leave without snapping at least one photo from any angle you choose.
Kaministiquia River, the source of the falls, is worth walking along. Upstream, you’ll find the park’s small beach, where you can cool off with a dip in the summer. Downstream, the gorge has carved out a dramatic landscape and revealed 1.6 billion year old fossils.
The park’s non-fossilized wildlife includes a variety of songbirds. Lucky bird watchers may just catch a glimpse of the bald eagles that frequent Kakabeka Falls, especially when salmon are swimming upstream to spawn.
With flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, trek through Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park on one of the many trails to choose from. You can walk the Boardwalk Trail for the best view of the falls or bike along the Poplar Point Trail to see more of the park. Try the Little Falls trail if you’re feeling adventurous, as it features a steep descent down into the Kaministiquia River valley.
Visit Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park any time throughout the year for a scenic stop with flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
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)
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft offer services to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and can drop customers off alongside regular passengers and taxis.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Take the OC Transpo 97 Airport / Bayshore and Bells bus to the airport stop. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
Taxis to Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) from downtown cost about $35 CAD. Car service costs about $90 CAD.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Parking
Driving to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport? There are two main parking options at Ottawa Airport with convenient access to all terminals.
The Parkade is close to the terminal with rates of $5 for every 30 minutes with a daily maximum of $24. The Parkade also offers BIZ Park on Level 3, which includes a dedicated parking area with guaranteed space and easy in-and-out access. Rates are $10 for the first hour and a $28 flat rate for 24 hours.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is about 5 km / 3 mi from downtown Thunder Bay.
Transportation
Taxis to downtown cost about $30 CAD. Car service costs about $85 CAD.
Take the Thunder Bay Transit 3 Memorial / Airport bus from the airport stop. The fare is $2.65 CAD.
Several hotels offer complimentary shuttle bus service from the airport.
Car rental services are available at Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT).
Thunder Bay International Airport Parking
Driving to Thunder Bay International Airport? The airport provides 100 short term spaces at $3.25 per hour and 50 cents for each additional 10 minutes, and 400 long term spaces at $14 per day or $98 per week.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
