Travelling from Philadelphia to Ottawa: what you need to know
Philadelphia's main base, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the primary point of entry to Ottawa.
Philadelphia and Ottawa are both in the UTC-4 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your Philadelphia to Ottawa flight.
Getting away during a peak month like August? Busy periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can add an hour at security. Be extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Ottawa
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Philadelphia to Ottawa flights if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to Ottawa is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices across the month and score a sweet deal.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Philadelphia to Ottawa.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your Philadelphia to Ottawa flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Philadelphia to Ottawa flights departing from Philadelphia International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Located around 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia, PHL can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Philadelphia International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Philadelphia International Airport, 78.93% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find PHL at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa takes around 20 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near YOW if you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car and explore parts of Ottawa that most visitors tend to miss. Find your ideal set of wheels with Hertz.
Reserve your vehicle from Ottawa Gatineau Airport a few weeks before your departure date to get the lowest price. If you're going away during a busy period, it's wise to book your Philadelphia to Ottawa flight even earlier.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
The centre of Ottawa is around 11 kilometres from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). After your flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in about 45 minutes.
Forget about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Grab an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Check out the availability and rates from Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Reserving your ride from YOW two weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
You'll find Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport at 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Before scheduling your flights from Philadelphia to Philadelphia, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Philadelphia offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the off-season means you'll get cheaper hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Before locking in your Philadelphia to Ottawa tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Ottawa, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC to 27ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Ottawa in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -19ºC and -2ºC on average.
More about Ottawa
Once you've booked your flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Ottawa:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are must-do's during your Ottawa adventure.
Explore more of Canada
Ottawa has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Canada waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres south-west of Ottawa, a visit to Toronto will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District.
If there's time to check out another well-known destination in Canada, consider Montreal, roughly 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal are key highlights.
