Canada’s charming capital
Flights from St. John’s to Ottawa take you to the heart of Canadian politics.
Scenic green spaces and historic government buildings come together to create a winning combination of things to do in Ottawa. With a wide variety of art offerings, and more museums than you’ll be able to see in any one trip, Ottawa has it all.
Like St. John’s, Ottawa’s waterfronts are always awash with activity. The Rideau Canal is an all-season destination, in the warm seasons serving as a flowing waterway, or frozen into the world’s largest skating rink in the winter.
Just a short walk away from the Rideau Falls is Rideau Hall. Home to the Governor General, this stately house is just the start of Ottawa’s political points of interest. Capitalize on more of the capital’s government attractions with a walk around the Parliament Hill area.
Watch justice in action in the Supreme Court of Canada, or tour through painstaking recreations of past prime ministers offices in the East Block before setting a course for Parliament Hill’s Centre Block. Sit in on Senators and Members of Parliament as they debate their way through bills in the Senate and House of Commons, or study up on the historic architecture of the oldest wing of the building - the Library of Parliament.
From Parliament’s oldest wing to Ottawa’s oldest standing structure, the 1827 Commissariat Building now serves as the Bytown Museum. Predating Ottawa’s designation as Canada’s capital by 40 years, this museum provides a view of the early days of Ottawa. Before you fly back to St. John’s, peer into the city’s past, with a visit to this piece of history.
Gatineau
A gateway to Gatineau
After your flight from St. John’s lands, make the short drive across the Ottawa River and Ontario Border, to see all that Ottawa’s Québécois neighbour has to offer.
If you’re in the mood for learning, pay a visit to Gatineau’s exceptional educational attractions. From family-friendly fun in the Canadian Children’s Museum, to artifacts from around the world in the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau boasts some of Canada’s major museum collections.
Gatineau’s outdoors are just as intriguing as its indoor attractions. Whether you’re setting your towel down on one of Parc Gatineau’s six sandy beaches, or setting out for the wilderness in the untamed Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, you’ll find the best of Québec’s natural beauty all around Gatineau.
Near the island escape of Parc Lac-Leamy, the exciting Casino du Lac-Leamy hosts some of Gatineau's best entertainment. With gaming, shows, and restaurants, this casino is where you go in Gatineau if you’re looking for fun under one roof.
Away from the bright lights of Théâtre du Casino, the smaller stage of Théâtre de l'Île produces stellar shows in a scenic setting. Whichever venue you choose, you’ll want to give Gatineau’s entertainment offerings a round of applause.
After a packed day trip to Gatineau, you can stay the night in one of the city’s many hotels, or head back to Ottawa, to prepare for another amazing day on your trip from St. John’s.
Horaceville
Your path to the past
200 years of Ottawa’s history are just 40 minutes away from the city, in the neighbourhood of Horaceville. Also called Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, heritage-rich Horaceville is your path to Ottawa’s past.
After serving in the Napoleonic Wars, British settler Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey was gifted this land on the shores of the Ottawa River. Naming the 88 acres of rolling hills and trees after his eldest son, Horace, Pinhey made his home on this idyllic area of the Ottawa countryside. In 1820, he began the construction of his stone manor, which now serves as the site’s historic house museum.
Get a glimpse of the Pinhey family’s history in this collection curated by the Pinhey’s Point Foundation. Portraits from the 18th century and needlework from the 19th century detail the Pinhey family’s personal and public past. The works of John Charles Pinhey, Canadian painter and descendent of Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey are among the collection highlights.
Painting programs available on the site allow visitors to follow in the brush strokes of John Charles Pinhey. Wander through the fields and parkland, then pick up a paintbrush to frame the famed natural landscapes of this area by the Ottawa River.
Continue exploring the estate with a walk on the shoreline, then break for lunch at one of the many outdoor picnic spots. With riverside views and greenery all around, a meal here will leave you with memories to savour long after you’ve returned to St. John’s.
How to get to St. John’s International Airport (YYT)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
St. John’s International Airport (YYT) is about 10 km / 6 mi from downtown St. John’s.
Transportation to St. John’s International Airport
Taxis from downtown cost about $25 CAD.
The Metrobus route 14 from downtown St. John’s costs $2.50 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
St. John’s International Airport Parking
Driving to St. John’s International Airport? There are three parking options at St. John’s Airport close to the terminal. Choose from short-term parking for $2 CAD per half hour, long-term parking for a daily maximum rate of $16 CAD or weekly rate of $80 CAD, or Gold Pass Parking with a monthly fee of $120 CAD (requires a minimum 6-month contract). Pre-pay options are available at the six pre-pay stations in the Airport Terminal Building.
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.
Ottawa Airport Transportation to Downtown
There are many options for transportation to downtown Ottawa from Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
The quick trip is about 10 km / 6 mi from the airport to downtown Ottawa.
Transportation
Uber and Lyft pickup is available at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. To find your ride, exit on the Arrivals level and head to the rideshare pickup zone at Pillars 11 and 12. Fares from YOW to downtown Ottawa start at $22.
Car rental services are available in the Parkade, across the street from the passenger terminal of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Take the OC Transpo 97 Airport / Bayshore and Bells bus from the pick-up spot outside the arrivals area. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
Taxis to downtown Ottawa 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.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
