Most asked
- To downtownO-Train Line 4 from the station at the north end of Level 3 (Departures). Every 12 min, 6 am–midnight. Change at South Keys to Line 2, then at Bayview to Line 1 for downtown; about an hour, $4.10. Overnight take bus 105.details
- Uber / LyftLevel 1 (Arrivals). Walk out to the roadway furthest from the terminal and look for pillars 12–13. Uber's own page says pillars 13–16; trust the pillar your app shows.details
- NursingFour breastfeeding rooms, all free and open 24 h. Before security on Level 1; after security near gate 14 and gate 18 (Canada/International) and on Level 2 in the U.S. gate area.details
- TaxiLevel 1 (Arrivals), queue outside the centre door. Metered fares; accessible vans on request from the attendant.details
Getting to and from the airport 7
O-Train Line 4 (Airport station)Train Station is attached to the terminal at the north end of Level 3 (Departures). Fare gates and a ticket machine are outside the station entrance.
Open since 6 January 2025. Three stops to South Keys; change there to Line 2, then at Bayview to Line 1 for downtown. Budget about an hour to Rideau or Parliament. R4 replacement buses run when trains don't.
OC Transpo route 105 (24-hour)Bus Departures roadway, Level 3, north end (same end as the O-Train station)
Runs to Hurdman (Line 1) and St-Laurent stations; overnight as N105 it goes to Rideau downtown. Replaced the old route 97 in 2025; ignore guides still listing 97.
Taxi standTaxi Level 1 (Arrivals), queue outside the centre door on the curb closest to the terminal. Drop-off is on Level 3.
Dispatcher at the head of the queue can call an accessible van. No pickups are allowed on Level 3.
Hotel shuttles, charter buses, Park'N FlyShuttle Level 1 outer roadway. Hotel shuttles at pillars 13–15; charter buses and Park'N Fly at pillars 15–16.
Fairfield and Hilton Garden Inn shuttles are not wheelchair accessible; call the hotel to arrange alternatives.
Car rental countersCar rental Rental car corridor, Parkade (P1) Level 1, across the road from Level 1 Arrivals via the skywalk. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National.
Routes Car Rental is off-site (2644 Leitrim Rd) with a shuttle. Most companies offer hand controls and surrogate drivers free if requested at booking; none have lift-equipped vans.
Cell Phone Lot and Arrivals curb pickupPickup by car Arrivals curb (lower roadway), Level 1; pillars 1–3 are the suggested meeting points. Drivers wait free in the Cell Phone Lot, 30–45 seconds from the curb.
Curbs are active loading only; unattended cars are ticketed and towed. Text your driver your pillar number when you have your bags.
Nothing matches where you are — ground transport is all before security.
Between terminals 3
Connecting from a Canadian flightConnection flow Canada/International secure area exit is near gate 17
With a boarding pass and bags checked through, stay airside. Otherwise exit near gate 17, go up to Level 3 for check-in and re-clear security. Any U.S. connection means exiting, going to Level 3, re-clearing CATSA and then U.S. preclearance.
Connecting from a U.S. or international flightConnection flow Clear CBSA on arrival, collect bags, then Level 3
Air Canada and WestJet onward passengers can re-drop bags at the quick-drop inside the customs hall and go straight to Level 3 security. Other airlines check in again on Level 3.
U.S. preclearance (CBP) hoursBorder After CATSA screening on Level 3, before the U.S. gates on Level 2
Hours do not stretch for delayed flights. Arrive 2 h early in peaks (4:30–7 am, 3–7 pm). No Verified Traveller line on the U.S. side.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Families and nursing 8
Breastfeeding roomNursing room Canada/International gate area, near gate 14
Serves the shared Canada/International gate area. The adult change room is also near gate 14.
Breastfeeding roomNursing room Canada/International gate area, near gate 18
Serves the shared Canada/International gate area. Lounges and the indoor pet relief area are also at gate 18.
Breastfeeding roomNursing room U.S. gate area, Level 2
Airport lists only "Level 2" for the U.S. gate area; no gate number given.
Breastfeeding roomNursing room Level 1 (Arrivals), before security
Airport lists only "Level 1"; ask at the Arrivals information desk for the exact spot.
Kids play areaPlay area Canada/International gate area, near gate 15
Serves the shared Canada/International gate area. No play area is listed in the U.S. gate area.
Family and accessible screening linePolicy Level 3, Canada/International security checkpoint
Dedicated line for families and passengers needing assistance, shared with Verified Travellers. Canada/International checkpoint opens 4 am (3 am Nov–Apr). Not offered on the U.S. side.
Baby food, formula and breast milk through securityPolicy Security screening, Level 3
Travelling with a child under 2 you may carry baby food, milk, formula, water and juice over 100 ml; powdered formula up to 350 ml. Breast milk over 100 ml is allowed even without the child. Declare everything for inspection. Rules are CATSA's.
Strollers, car seats and infant carriersPolicy Security screening, Level 3
Screening officers inspect strollers, infant carriers and car seats; diaper bags go on the belt. Gate-check rules are the airline's, so confirm with them.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Lounges 3
Aspire LoungePay-in lounge Canada/International gate area. After security turn left toward gate 20; entrance is on the right just past gate 18.
- Walk-up paid entry, any airline, any fare
- Priority Pass, DragonPass, DreamFolks and bank lounge programmes
- Air Canada premium passengers while the Maple Leaf Lounge is closed (to Nov 2026)
Entry from 3 h before departure. No showers listed. Card-programme holders are asked to reserve ahead because the lounge is small. Not reachable from the U.S. gate area.
Air Canada Maple Leaf LoungeAirline lounge Canada/International gate area, near gate 18, next door to the Aspire Lounge
- Air Canada / Star Alliance business class
- Aeroplan 50K, 75K, Super Elite and Star Alliance Gold
- Eligible Aeroplan premium credit cards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve / J.P. Morgan Reserve (space permitting)
While closed, eligible passengers are directed to the Aspire Lounge next door. Guest fee $59. Not accessible from the U.S. gate area.
No lounge in the U.S. gate areaLounge U.S. preclearance gates, Level 2
Both YOW lounges are in the Canada/International gate area, which you cannot reach after U.S. preclearance. Visit a lounge before you clear preclearance; you cannot come back.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Accessibility 8
Adult change roomAssisted changeroom Level 3, south end, near security screening
Accessible washrooms are on every level before and after security.
Adult change roomAssisted changeroom Canada/International gate area, near gate 14
Adult change roomAssisted changeroom U.S. gate area, near the elevator
Wheelchair and mobility assistancePolicy Curb to check-in and baggage claim to curb from the airport (call 613-248-2025 on arrival); check-in to gate from your airline
Airport staff meet you at the curb, provide a wheelchair and escort you to your airline. Everything past check-in, including boarding, is the airline's job, so request it when booking. Call the same number if the airline doesn't bring you to the curb on arrival.
Accessible taxis and Para TranspoGround transport Taxi queue outside the centre door, Level 1; Para Transpo picks up between pillars 9–10 on the inner curb, Level 1
Ask the taxi dispatcher at the head of the queue for a fully accessible vehicle, or call 613-523-1234. Para Transpo needs advance registration and booking (613-244-7272). Accessible pickup spot for private cars is at pillar 5 on the Arrivals curb.
Hearing loop at information deskHearing loop Information desk, Arrivals area, Level 1
Switch your hearing aid to T mode (telecoil). TTY phones are throughout the terminal. Info desk is staffed 2–6 pm; staff rove nearby otherwise.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyardHidden disabilities PARS 2000 counter, Level 1, south end beside carousel 5; or the parking office, Parkade P1 Level 1
Wearing the lanyard discreetly tells staff you may need extra time or help. The airport also supports the Aira visual-interpreter app.
Accessible parking and drop-offParking / drop-off Accessible spaces on all four levels of the Parkade (P1) nearest the terminal doors, and in lot P4. Accessible drop-off at the Departures curb; accessible pickup at pillar 5, Arrivals curb.
Parkade connects to the terminal by two skywalks. P4 accessible spaces cannot be reserved.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Pets and service animals 3
Outdoor animal relief areaPet relief area Across the road from Level 1 (Arrivals), along the Parkade (P1). Signed, with bags and bins.
Pets other than service animals must stay in a carrier inside the terminal.
Indoor animal relief areaPet relief area Canada/International gate area, near gate 18
Serves the shared Canada/International gate area.
Indoor animal relief areaPet relief area U.S. gate area, Level 2, near the bottom of the escalator
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Services 13
Free airport Wi-FiWi-Fi Throughout the terminal
Connect and accept the terms page. The airport does not publish the network name or any time limit; pick the YOW-branded network.
PARS 2000 coat check and baggage storageLuggage storage Level 1 (Arrivals), south end, beside baggage carousel 5
Stores coats, boots and bags for hours or months. Same counter handles lost and found.
Lost and found (PARS 2000)Lost and found Level 1 (Arrivals), south end, beside carousel 5
For items left on the aircraft, contact the airline. Also the pickup point for Sunflower lanyards.
Information desksInformation Arrivals, Level 1 (staffed 2–6 pm); Centre Court, Canada/International gate area (staffed 2–6 am)
Bilingual customer-service reps handle wayfinding and accessibility help; outside posted hours they rove nearby. Hearing loop at the Arrivals desk.
Free baggage cartsBaggage carts Between carousels on Level 1, at each Departures entrance on Level 3, and on every level of the Parkade and in lot P4
ICE International Currency ExchangeCurrency exchange Two counters, both before security, Level 1 (Arrivals) and Level 3 (Departures)
No exchange after security. Airport rates are poor; an ATM is usually cheaper.
Cash machinesATM Before security on Level 1 and Level 3; after security on Level 2 in both the Canada/International and U.S. gate areas
Hydration stationsWater refill Level 1 before security; Canada/International gates 15, 18 and 22; U.S. gate area Level 2
Bring an empty bottle through security and fill it airside.
Relay convenience stores (no pharmacy)Convenience store Before security at Arrivals (Level 1) and Level 3; after security at gate 24 (Canada/International) and gate 12 (U.S.)
There is no pharmacy at YOW. Relay stocks basic health and beauty items, snacks and electronics.
NEXUS enrolment centre / CBSA officeBorder services Level 1, before security
SAVM VIP assistance (paid concierge)Meet and assist Meets you at the curb; by appointment only (1-888-985-7286)
Curb-to-cabin escort, arrivals meet-and-greet, unaccompanied minors. Cannot speed up customs or security.
Bike racksBike parking Indoor racks at each end of the car rental corridor, Parkade P1 Level 1; outdoor racks between the two roadways on the Arrivals level
Alt Hotel Ottawa AirportHotel Beside the Parkade exit, reached from the terminal by a fully enclosed, step-free walkway through the Parkade
Only hotel attached to the terminal. 24-h gym and a pizzeria. Fairfield and Hilton Garden Inn are 1 km away with shuttles from pillars 13–15.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Last full review 2026-10-26. "Unconfirmed" means a reputable third-party source we couldn't confirm on the airport's own pages. Gates and pickup zones change; report an error.