Renting A Car In Ottawa

Tourists and Business Travelers Guide to Renting a Car in Ottawa, Canada

Car rental services are among the best transport options in Ottawa, Canada. Renting a car for a holiday or business trip can be the best choice ever, especially if you want a no-time-pressure vacation, enjoying a lot of freedom and adventure.

This information page will give you some tips that could help your Ottawa journey be more convenient and memorable, particularly in renting vehicles. Articles about hotel accommodations and tourist attractions are also available.

Choosing the Right Car Rental Company in Ottawa

Renting a car during your trips is a tricky task. You pay for the rental service, and hopping in your preferred ride is only sometimes the case for some.

Various renters may have different needs from others, which should always be considered when choosing a car rental company. Below are some special tips on how to choose the right car rental agency in Ottawa.

Determine your car rental needs. Modern car rental companies offer different vehicle choices to cover every need. Therefore, it is necessary to define your travel needs before deciding. It will help if you consider the distance of your trip, comfort level, budget, etc. The more specific your needs are, the more you can confidently choose the right car rental company for your necessities.

Stick to your budget. Most car rentals in Ottawa charge kiosk fees from their clients. That is why most renters choose an offsite location to rent a vehicle. In this case, consider taking a taxi or rideshare.

Vehicle size matters. Some car rental companies offer limited vehicle sizes, from sedans to SUVs. It is better to check them online before your trip to Ottawa so that you still have enough time to choose the right car rental company. Also, always weigh the pros and cons of renting your preferred vehicle size. Suppose you're going to an unfamiliar location for the first time. In that case, it pays to search the internet about the area and its road. Some have narrow lanes, and others may have wider roadways.

Avail or purchase insurance. Choose the car rental company that offers reliable and legit insurance for emergency purposes. Most of the car rental firms in Ottawa offer insurance. All renters are advised to avail of insurance in case of road mishaps, which could cover the entire value of the damaged car.

Find detailed information about car rental services in Ottawa, including prices and car availability, to make an informed decision that suits your budget and preferences

Benefits of Renting a Car in Ottawa

It is best to spend your holiday break with freedom. That is why most tourists in Ottawa would casually opt to rent a car to explore the capital city of Canada.

You can experience more. You are entitled to a more adventurous trip than ever, which could satisfy your desire for independence, whether with friends, family, or you are going solo. A journey where you can explore remote locations that public or tourist transportation cannot reach.

Convenient travel for foreign travelers. Traveling at your own pace without nagging yourself at least every minute about time and itineraries is fun and convenient. However, you should always choose the right car rental company and vehicle.

Uncomplicated bookings and payment methods. Renting a car can be a brilliant way of transportation due to its online availability. You can easily reserve your car, choose where you can pick it up, and pay using your credit or debit cards.

Car Rental Options in Ottawa

Ottawa has many car rental partners that provide quality renting services to all its clients. Local and international car rentals such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and more are ready to serve all interested renters.

Most car rental desks are conveniently located on Parkade 1 (P1), Level 1 of the Airport, except for Routes Car Rentals, at 2644 Leitrim Road. Shuttle service is available for Routes clients. Almost all car rental agencies in Ottawa open from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM except for National, which operates only from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM.

Various vehicle sizes and selections are available at Ottawa Airport, such as a 7-seater minivan, Compact, Convertible, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Large SUV, Luxury, Medium SUV, Mini, Minivan, Premium, Small/medium truck, Standard, and SUV. There are also Automatic transmission vehicles available at the Airport. Determining your car rental needs is vital to choose the right vehicle.

Some additional equipment, such as booster seats, child toddler seat, GPS, infant child seat, ski racks, and snow tire sets, are also available to rent.

Lastly, fuel is included in the rental rate upon renting a vehicle. However, returning the car with its tank full is also a standard procedure for renters.

Driving Directions to Ottawa Airport

Downtown Ottawa is a 15-minute drive or approximately 13 km from Ottawa Airport via Route 79 S, the fastest route a traveler could take. Another alternative way is via Queen Elizabeth Driveway through Route 79 S, about 18 minutes by car or almost 15 km of travel to the town center.

Ottawa is well provided with road signages and directions. However, travelers must take precautionary measures and strictly follow traffic rules. For foreign visitors exploring the city, it is a must to have a Global Positioning System device (GPS) to easily navigate the area, especially unfamiliar places.

Note that you must drive on the right-hand side of the road in Ottawa.

What are the requirements for foreign travelers to rent a car in Ottawa?

Renting a car is a well-recommended mode of transportation in Ottawa. It will also help if you are well-equipped with the following requirements when renting a vehicle.

Foreign renters must be driver's license cardholders for at least one year. They must also acquire an International Driver's Permit (IDP) for those licenses not written in English.

Renters must be 25 years old to freely rent a car in Canada. If you are below 25, you may be required to pay a surcharge fee for young drivers, which also varies depending upon your chosen car rental company.

Additional valid documents or photo IDs, such as a passport or government ID, are needed.

The renter must have a credit or debit card with sufficient balance to pay the rental fee. You should always check beforehand the acceptable forms of payment at the location of your chosen car rental company where you are renting from.

What are the payment methods for renting a car in Ottawa?

Car rental bookings can be made using the following payment card types MasterCard, American Express, Visa, JCP (Japan Credit Bureau), and Discover Network (only accepted in all major Airports in Canada).

Renters without a return itinerary will need to provide a credit card with adequate available credit to cover the estimated sum amount for the rental and a deposit fee between $200-$850, depending on the rental location and type of vehicle hired.

Debit or check cards are non-credit cards carrying the Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo. Non-credit or prepaid cards without the symbols mentioned above are not accepted. For most car rentals at the Airport, debit cards are solely accepted while renting a car at the location with your return travel itinerary.

Cash payments are also accepted in some car rentals. However, they prefer credit cards for security reasons. Always check your rental location or chosen car rental company to see if they accept cash payments at the end of the rental.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) when Renting a Car in Ottawa?

Q: What are the age prerequisites to rent a car in Ottawa?

A: The minimum and legal age to rent a car is 21 throughout Canada. Renters 21-24 could incur young driver fees associated with their rental. The average price is approximately $25/day, depending on the rental location. Note that young drivers are only given limited vehicle selections. Check with your chosen car rental company for further information.

Q: Is a deposit required to rent a car in Ottawa?

A: Yes, payment deposits are needed when renting a car in Ottawa. However, the amount varies depending on your car rental company and location. Therefore, we encourage you to read the terms and conditions of your car rental company.

Q: How much is it to rent a car in Ottawa?

A: The rental cost of vehicles in Canada depends on many aspects and can significantly vary. These factors include the length or duration of time you rent the vehicle, the type of car you have picked, the rental location of your chosen car rental agency, additional fees for purchasing insurance, and other rental products. However, Canada's average car rental cost ranges from C$50 to C$100.

What should a foreigner do when driving for the first time in Ottawa?

Planning a trip to Ottawa, means familiarizing the essential things to do, especially when you opt to rent a vehicle. Driving is part of most Ottawa residents' daily routine, and safe driving is strongly advised to everyone to avoid untoward road accidents.

Concentrate and stay focused when driving. Distractions are dangerous and can lead to deadly outcomes. Only text, receive calls, look through your music playlist or even eat while driving with a companion to assist you. It could affect your driving abilities and harm you or other drivers on the road. Drive safely.

Watch out for pedestrians. That is why all drivers must be cautious enough when driving, especially when approaching pedestrian lanes and intersections.

Remember your snow tires. Ottawa has four seasons, winter, spring, summer, and fall. During winter, snow tires are utilized to prevent road casualties. These tires are made with unique rubber compounds designed to forcibly grip slush, snow, and ice, helping every driver to take the road during the ice season.

Familiarize and get comfortable with roundabouts. It is normal to feel uncomfortable driving in unfamiliar places. However, familiarizing the area is crucial to reducing vehicular accidents such as collisions and crashes. Ottawa is a metropolitan zone with many intersections, an intelligent way of developing the urban area to reduce car fatalities.

Leave an extra space. Always leave ample room between the car in front of you, about a car's length or more. This means you could provide much time to reach a complete full stop if you need to pull the hand brake abruptly.

Be patient at all times. Patience is essential to safely drive around Ottawa town and its nearby places. While on the road, rage can cause impulsive decisions, leading to detrimental consequences. Always remember to remain patient and calm amidst challenging situations.

What to do if you're stopped by traffic police in Ottawa?

When driving a vehicle in a foreign country, studying and familiarizing with all the road rules and regulations is necessary. However, being caught by traffic police is sometimes inevitable, even if you already know all the imposed laws.

It will help if you remain calm. When you are requested to pull over by a cop in Canada, do it in a secure zone. Cautiously and legally stop your car with enough space for two.

Ensure that your car will not move. When you have already come to a complete stop, ensure your vehicle is in the parking gear (Automatic) or neutral gear (Manual). Set your car in an emergency parking brake and remain inside.

Prepare yourself and your vehicle. Roll down your car window, turn off your music (if your playlist or car stereo is on), turn on your interior light if it's dark outside, and keep your hands resting on the steering wheel.

Patiently listen and carefully follow police instructions. The traffic enforcer will give you instructions. Let them talk first, and remember that they have the authority to use anything you say against you as evidence in court. Please remain calm, courteous, and cooperative. Be alert when giving your driver's license, registration, and car insurance.

What are the parking and traffic regulations in Ottawa?

Driving laws are strictly enforced in Ottawa. Penalties for breaking the law are generally severe. Therefore, you must follow Canada's traffic and parking laws.

In Ottawa, road rules are strictly implemented to maintain road safety. As responsible community members, most provincial lawyers in Ottawa believe that education is vital to a driver's ability to avoid traffic collisions and crashes. Therefore, the legal team has gathered some outlined road policies to help educate motorists regarding the province's traffic laws.

• Always remember to drive in the right lane of traffic.
• Do not use handheld gadgets like mobile phones and tablets while driving.
• To legally drive around the province, drivers must be 18 years old. However, renters must be at least 21 to legally rent a car.
• All local and foreign drivers must have a valid driver's license and legit car registration.
• Strictly observe all posted vehicle speed limits. In Ottawa's freeway rural area, please keep the speed limit of 100 km/h, while in the urban zones, maintain the speed of 50 km/h.
• Slow down and/or pull your car to the right side of the road for all emergency vehicles like ambulances and police cars.

Breaking an Ottawa traffic law may result in severe penalties and fines, such as license suspensions or an officer taking or towing your car away.

Parking rules and regulations in the streets of Ottawa must also be strictly followed to avoid fines and penalties.

For more details about parking locations and traffic rules, see more about parking in Ottawa.

What are the transport alternatives to renting a car in Ottawa?

Taxis, Trains, Rideshares, Shuttles, and Buses are other transportation alternatives in Ottawa. They are casually available anywhere and any time as long as you know their schedules for train and bus rides.

Among the public transportation utilized mainly by travelers are taxis, rideshares, buses, and trains due to their affordable service. However, they are less convenient than car rental services, which are made for private use.

Some hotel accommodations in Ottawa also offer shuttle services. Yet, they could be more pricey as some would provide it for an additional charge.

Thus, renting a car is a better way to explore Ottawa and much more cost-effective than other transfer services.

Whether you prefer buses, trains, or taxis, you'll find plenty of options to make your travels hassle-free. To find the best way to get around the city easily and efficiently, see more about transportation alternatives in Ottawa.

What are the must-see attractions I can visit using a rental car in Ottawa?

Ottawa is Canada's capital and the fourth-largest metropolitan region, with over a million inhabitants, most of whom live here and the rest in neighboring cities, including Gatineau, located across the Ottawa River in Quebec. A remarkable feature of the region is that English and French are widely spoken and reflected in the city's culture and commerce.

Ottawa is magnificent, clean, and green, with giant trees, extensive parks, and lovely beaches along the three primary rivers and historic canals that define the city and region.

The city is also home to famous museums and significant attractions such as Parliament Hill, an abode to the country's government and a community hub for cultural activities.

The Canadian War Museum contains a vast collection of tanks, military cars, and firearms that fill the walls, where one can see and explore the tools used by generations of courageous men and women on the battleground. More than 330 works of art and several unique traces, such as a tall window that frames the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill.

Visit the National Gallery of Canada, a great institution of all art-related things, where almost 40,000 creations cover everything from Inuit sculpture to the latest in contemporary craftwork.

Remember the Canadian Museum of Nature on your bucket list. The museum takes on the world's natural wonders in a handful of exhibitions that will leave you pondering where the time went. An excellent place to visit for everyone who loves nature and all its wonders.

Experience the ByWard Market. The place was once a simple market and has become a food, shopping, and entertainment hub. Over 260 stands fill the need, while more than 500 businesses call the surrounding neighborhood home.

Discover the wide range of tourism offerings in Ottawa, revealing a variety of attractions and experiences that are waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

What types of accommodations are available in Ottawa?

Suppose you are looking for a place to stay in Ottawa for a night or an extended period. In that case, the town offers various hotel accommodations depending on your needs.

Most of the luxurious and contemporary hotels are available in Downtown Ottawa. In contrast, budget accommodations are located quite far from the town center. However, no matter where you are in Ottawa, with a rented car, you can always freely travel and explore everywhere and anywhere in town and other nearby places.

Prices of budget hotels range from $80 to $128, and mid-range Ottawa hotels cost around $129 to $150. At the same time, luxury accommodations cost from $151 to $200.

For top-notch options for a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the city, see a selection of the finest accommodations in Ottawa.