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Car rental at Ottawa Airport

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals at Ottawa Airport

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Standard
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Full-size
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Luxury
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Top tips for renting a car at Ottawa Airport

  •  A car rental at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is a convenient and reliable option for getting around. You can create your schedule and move at your pace with a car rental. Public transport like buses doesn’t give you such freedom. Only two bus lines operate from YOW and cover only specific routes. This makes it difficult to rely on buses if the destinations on your itinerary are not covered by the buses. On the other hand, rental cars enable you to access destinations inaccessible by public transport. Rental cars are also cheaper in the long run, making them a better alternative to taxis.
  • Acquiring an Ottawa International Airport car rental comes with several perks. For instance, most car hire agencies provide the option of adding extras to your rental for an individualized rental experience. These include GPS navigation to navigate Ottawa and Canada like a local, child safety seats and an additional driver. Moreover, with a rental, you rest assured of roadside assistance in case you encounter any challenges with your rental while on the road.
  • Follow the signs to the return car lot once you enter the airport to drop off a car rental at Ottawa International Airport. Ensure you return the rental to the designated car lot of your provider. Park the car, remove all your belongings, lock it, and make your way to the rental counter to return the car keys and hand in the rental agreement contract. Record the fuel level and mileage on the rental agreement before handing it over.
  • Ottawa International Airport is the busiest airport in Canada's National Capital Region metropolitan area. The worst day of the week to travel to YOW is Thursday. Many travelers transit through the airport on this day, which can make it longer for you to make pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport. Also, avoid booking flights that land before 8:30 am or between 3 pm and 6 pm, as the airport experiences the worst traffic during these times.
  • Book your rental car at Ottawa Airport at least 5 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about renting a car at Ottawa Airport

  • Where are the car rental companies situated at Ottawa International Airport?

    Ottawa International Airport has about 10 rental companies stationed at the onsite car rental center. Some popular international car hire providers at YOW include Budget, Alamo, Hertz, and National. The center is located on Level 1 of the Parkade inside the main terminal building. It is easy to find since it is just a few steps away from the baggage claim area. The pick-up car lot is a short walk away, which makes the pick-up process.

  • Which rental companies are most convenient at Ottawa International Airport?

    If you’re looking for convenience when picking up a car rental at Ottawa International Airport, look into Alamo and Budget. These companies have favorable operating hours since they remain open till 1 am. They save renters who arrive past 10 pm the trouble of finding a car rental outside the airport. These companies also provide the renter a chance to make a drop off at their best advantage by having an after-hours return service. A valet return service is also an option when you book Ottawa International Airport car rentals at Budget.

  • What type of documentation is required to rent a car at Ottawa International Airport?

    Car rental at Ottawa International Airport is only available to renters above 21 years. Those aged 21 to 24 will still incur an additional underage surcharge. Renters require a valid driver’s license and a major credit card with matching names. If the driver’s license is in the non-Roman alphabet, you must also acquire an international driver’s permit essential for translation. An additional form of identification, like a passport, is also required.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at Ottawa Airport?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Ottawa Airport to off-airport locations include Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Discount Car & Truck Rentals, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, NU Car, and Routes Car & Truck Rentals.

Ottawa Airport car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Alamo

9.2

Wonderful

Read 19 reviews

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.2

Value for money

8.6

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 737 7264

Monday07:30 - 23:00
Tuesday07:30 - 23:00
Wednesday07:30 - 23:00
Thursday07:30 - 23:00
Friday07:30 - 23:00
Saturday07:30 - 23:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Roger, Oct 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
comfort and space

10.0 Wonderful

Rajat, Jun 2024

Premium

KAYAK
We booked the SUV for four days, nice economical and fast process. Just In & Out Good job done Alamo Team!!

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
Only a positive experience. Thank you.

10.0 Wonderful

Tina, Feb 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Pick up was simple, drop off was easy, staff was very friendly and helpful

Cons:

More signage to help find the drop off location

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Luxury

KAYAK
Great. Return was easy.

10.0 Wonderful

Rick, Aug 2023

Compact SUV

KAYAK
The young lady the helped us was excellent. I believe her name was Mariam. The only thing that would help would be to be able to supply or buy a map of Ontario and perhaps Quebec. We rented it in Ottawa and bought it back to Ottawa. We would of preferred to have dropped it off in Toronto but the drop off charge was horrendous. thank you

1 out of 7

Budget

7.6

Good

Read 27 reviews

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.9

Value for money

7.4

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway

+1 613 521 4844

Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday00:00 - 01:0007:30 - 23:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Reviews

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
When they do the inspection the area at parking lots it’s very dark they missed many scratches spots As a driver you will find and see it later when you leave the parking lots

10.0 Wonderful

Chris, Sep 2024

Pickup truck

KAYAK
I was greeted with a smile. The check in took only a few minutes. The vehicle was clean and in good condition. The agent made excellent notes of a few minor body damage. It was nice to know the damage was noticed and that I would not be charged for it. I will definitely rent from Budget again.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
Several additional fees added on top of quoted price which was the equivalent of an extra 35%. Very disappointing and dishonest to have a cost quoted on kayak as the “total cost” to then have it cost so much more.

6.0 Okay

Sandor, Aug 2024

Pickup truck

KAYAK
The vehicle was great. The cleanliness was meh. The tires on the vehicle were a little sketchy.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Good Liked the pre check in text to speed the process along !!!!!!

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Luxury SUV

KAYAK
Excellent

1 out of 9

Routes Car & Truck Rentals

5.5

Fair

Read 46 reviews
Best rated

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.8

Value for money

5.8

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

2644 Leitrim Road,, ON

+1 613 523 3003

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

wayne, Jun 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Friendly quick and accommodating

2.0 Poor

Cah2, Apr 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
bad, they charges me cross border fees, in the same region. NO sense.

8.0 Very good

Tunji, Mar 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
The price was great. The staff were very helpful. The software and paperwork too cumbersome.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
I never got the car

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Pickup truck

KAYAK
Great service and friendly staff

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
They didn’t give me the car ‘cause my G2 was not a valid driver's license

1 out of 16

National

9.0

Wonderful

Read 9 reviews

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

9.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.5

Value for money

8.5

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 737 7023

Monday07:30 - 23:00
Tuesday07:30 - 23:00
Wednesday07:30 - 23:00
Thursday07:30 - 23:00
Friday07:30 - 23:00
Saturday07:30 - 23:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Barbara, Aug 2023

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Excellent service

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2023

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Everything was as announced. 👍

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sep 2022

KAYAK
I arrived at the rental location at Ottawa International Airport with a Quebec driver's license and an Ontario health card. The employee there told me that because I had a Quebec driver's license, I needed 3 photo IDs and 2 phone numbers to rent. This is ridiculous because I have used my Quebec license to rent cars from airports in Montreal, Toronto, and Boston without issue. There was also no warning about this before I arrived at the airport. This forced my partner to also take an Uber to the airport to bring my passport, and so we departed more than an hour late and spent extra money on transit to the airport. They also told us that because we left at 5 p.m. in stead of 4 p.m., we'd be able to return the car at 5 p.m. instead of 4 without extra charges. But the contract they sent still said a 4 p.m. return time.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Aug 2022

KAYAK
The car wasn’t ready when we arrived but it was fine. The chap in the office was pretty good, got friendlier as we were there longer. He helped us out with our insurance and we were off. They offered to drive us back to the hotel after we returned the car but then reneged the offer and left us at a local Walmart. Not great …

10.0 Wonderful

Susan, Aug 2022

KAYAK
Great staff car smelled a bit like cigarettes but I told staff who marked it down and apologized

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2022

KAYAK
Both keys were locked together by a metal strap so if you lost one key you lost them all

1 out of 3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.6

Very good

Read 6 reviews

Cleanliness

8.7

Comfort

8.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.9

Value for money

8.1

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Pvt

+1 613 248 0005

Monday07:30 - 23:00
Tuesday07:30 - 23:00
Wednesday07:30 - 23:00
Thursday07:30 - 23:00
Friday07:30 - 23:00
Saturday07:30 - 23:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Reviews

8.0 Very good

Mahmoud, Sep 2024

Pickup truck

KAYAK
I expected modern car but it was pretty old. No android car or apple car. Just a basic bluetooth!

10.0 Wonderful

James, Aug 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Great car, great staff

10.0 Wonderful

Marc, Jul 2024

Pickup truck

KAYAK
Cheaper rates

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2022

KAYAK
At a time when there are awful stories about renting cars, everything was quick, efficient and just easy. We had a brand new car. Thank you.

10.0 Wonderful

G, Apr 2022

KAYAK
Smooth and easy process.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Jan 2022

KAYAK
Too expensive, with hidden charges

1 out of 2

Avis

8.2

Very good

Read 6 reviews

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

7.7

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 739 3334

Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Wednesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday00:00 - 01:0007:30 - 23:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Reviews

6.8 Okay

Anonymous, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

We received quite a larger vehicle than booked as the type of vehicle we had booked was not available so I think the vehicle should have been the correct size. Also, the vehicle had Florida license plates and being in Canada and driving, because of the travel restrictions and people’s heightened stress, we didn’t feel comfortable driving in Canada with the Florida plates under Covid.

2.0 Poor

John, Jul 2023

Minivan

KAYAK
Please check the validity of the vendors that you work with. I searched for a vehicle rental through the Kayak platform which directed me to another third party booking site called QEEQ. When I arrived at the location for my booking, the vehicle was not available. I was told they never carry that type of vehicle. I was not able to reach anyone from the QEEQ customer service to sort out the issue. I am now out 500 USD for a vehicle I did not receive

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2023

Compact

KAYAK
Easy pickup and drop off

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Jul 2022

KAYAK
Everything was decent other than the availability, we reserved a compact SUV and got a car, not sure the purpose of a reservation if you can't reserve what you want... It would seem they try to unload the luxury vehicles on you that don't conform to the credit cards' built in insurance too, so be careful and know your coverage.

10.0 Wonderful

Hart, Oct 2021

KAYAK
Easy booking, good value and no delays at counter during pickup or drop off.

1.9 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2021

KAYAK
This company is simply not interested in renting cars to people who have money. From the se one I arrived until the second I left , the agent at the counter could not have been any more rude. Not sure if it’s the way I look ( 100% it is ) but for the life of of me I could not get him to give me the car I choose wanted and paid for! It’s was insane, I drive an Audi and wanted something comparable, so I choose premium class , I called ahead and everything was ready until I arrived. This man looked like I was bothering him and then greeted me by saying “ what” ! I politely gave him my name and said we spoke earlier I believe, he said nope not me ! Turns out that all the other 30 vehicles were unavailable and had reservations, the only car he had was a Corolla, and it might not be clean if that was ok, it was all mine! For 25 mins this man did everything he could think up of to make sure that I only got the Corolla. I understood who he was and what he was doing , and I have zero time for that kind of garbage , so I canceled politely and left. Or so he though, took less then 10 mins for someone to walk up and within 5 mins off they went in the bmw ! It’s 2021, last time I checked , my money is just the same as other peoples money. Never again AVIS YOW

1 out of 2

Hertz

8.0

Very good

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

7.5

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 521 3332

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Holly, May 2022

KAYAK
The large deposit required. You need to make the vehicle availability inclusive to ppl who don't have alot of credit cards as many of us don't want them.

Europcar

6.5

Okay

Read 14 reviews

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.6

Value for money

7.1

2 locations in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

2644 Leitrim Road

+1 613 822 2409

Opening times not available

Call 6136679394 For Disc Shuttle

+1 613 667 9394

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
The car was too big. I asked for a smaller one but didn’t get it. The car stalled twice during my two day rental. On drop off, I asked for a courtesy ride home…literally a 9 min drive and they said they couldn’t. The Europcar operates out of Routes. I won’t use them again.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
TERRIBLE, I arrived to pick-up the car rental and they told me that it was cancelled days before. I never did cancelled. I paid two taxis for nothing and with the inconvenience of having NO car. My daughter and I exhausted after sooo many hours traveling in two planes from Europe to Ottawa.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Standard

KAYAK
Fals advertaising, hidden fees. Non unlimited km. You pay by kms.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Compact

KAYAK
Kayak's description AND the confirmation both say that the Europcar location is in the Ottawa airport, but this is a total lie. It is FAR away and requires travelers to call for a shuttle, which takes 15 minutes to get there. I waited outside in freezing Ottawa for a van to take me another 15 minutes away to a ROUTES(!!!) rental location. I SPECIFICALLY didn't want a Routes car because they suck as a rental agency. I then had to sign a million pieces of paper like it was 1985 and waited an obscene amount of time in an ugly rental agency. I consider this entire experience to be a scam due to the false advertising. To add insult to injury, there was a no refund/no cancelation policy. I feel duped by Kayak and this rental agency. I will literally never rent a car from Europcar or Routes in my life again. I would rather Uber everywhere even if it cost 50 times more than the price of a rental.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Compact

KAYAK
It was highly appreciated and recommended to others

10.0 Wonderful

Roy, Sep 2023

Economy

KAYAK
It was a great experience with a great car, economical and clean, great staff also.

Thrifty

2.0

Poor

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 521 3332

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

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Reviews

2.0 Poor

eric, May 2022

KAYAK
You left us stranded in ottawa , Horrible Experiance !!!!!!

keddy by Europcar

6.3

Okay

2 locations in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

Call 613 667 9394 For Shuttle To- Discount// 1749 Bank Street

+1 613 667 9394

Opening times not available

Please Go To The Routes Counter 2644 Leitrim Road

+1 613 822 2409

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Discount Car & Truck Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

Ottawa airport

+1 613 667 9393

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

Call 6136679394 For Disc Shuttle 1749 Bank St.

+1 613 667 9394

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

214 travelers who rented a car in Ottawa Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.8

Car rental locations at Ottawa Airport

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Good to know

Most popular car type

Full-size

Everything you need to know for your car rental at Ottawa Airport