Travelling from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Nairobi: what you need to know
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3. The city is seven hours ahead of Ottawa, where Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located.
To avoid rushing for your YOW to Nairobi flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak time like August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
YOW is around 11 kilometres from central Ottawa. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near YOW. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
58.21% of flights taking off from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Nairobi
₹ 71,974 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi flight. Return flight tickets start at ₹ 93,764. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from YOW to Nairobi if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird rates.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across every month when searching for an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi ticket.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from YOW to Nairobi.
Find a cheap flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is around 14 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive will take roughly 20 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Go where the road takes you with a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and experience more of Nairobi and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport about three weeks ahead of your flight from YOW to Nairobi can help you secure the lowest rate.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Once your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is roughly 3 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near WIL. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your YOW to Nairobi flight:
Land, grab your Wilson Airport rental car, and drive away without missing a beat. Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car are popular outlets to select from here.
Pick the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left over, by securing your ride from WIL before your arrival. You can also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially during busy airport times.
Best time to go to Nairobi
Plan your trip to Nairobi during peak season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi during low season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
The warmest month in Nairobi is March, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC and 30ºC. Book your Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi flight ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 12ºC and 24ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from YOW to Nairobi around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Nairobi
Start your Nairobi trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Nairobi, explore our range of hotels including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi National Park and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are essential stops on your Nairobi itinerary.
Explore more of Kenya
Mombasa is just one of the many places in Kenya waiting to be discovered after you've seen Nairobi. Around 434 kilometres away to the south-east, its best attractions include Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another standout destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No trip is complete without seeing ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.