Considering it's the capital's airport, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International is not a big air field. However, travellers who have used it have nothing but praise for it. It's a much-garlanded and admired airport. Among other awards, it was ranked number one in the world in the two to five million passenger category by Airports Council International in 2011.
Macdonald-Cartier International is part of the busy air corridor between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, known as the Eastern Triangle. Most of the flights that arrive at the airport are from other parts of Canada and the US. However, there is a London Heathrow-Ottawa route and one from Frankfurt too.
With more than four million passengers each year, it's Canada's sixth-busiest airport. Macdonald-Cartier International is a focus city for Air Canada and a base for First Air, the Northern Canadian carrier. It has United States border pre-clearance facilities, an important feature that can save travellers a little time.
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Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International is a one-terminal airport.
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Bus: Route 97 leaves from post 14 outside Arrivals (level 1). Cash fares $3.25 (adults), $1.60 (children age six to 11). Tickets are available at the Ground Transportation Desk on level 1. Shuttle buses connect Ottawa with Montreal and Toronto.
Taxi: Taxi fares to downtown average $29. Limousines are available too.
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Parking in the Parkade is free for the first 15 minutes, after that the charge is $2 per 15 minutes up to an $18 maximum for 24 hours. P4, the long-term car park, is adjacent to the passenger terminal. It costs $2 per 15 minutes, $14 per 24 hours and $65 if you park there all week.
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Money and communications: ATMs are located throughout the airport. ICE Currency Services can be found on level 2 (Domestic/International holdroom, opposite Gate 15).
Luggage: Luggage storage is located on level 1 (at the south end of the passenger terminal). Passengers who have had items confiscated from their cabin baggage may organise to have these items mailed from here too.
Conference and business: Ottawa offers a slew of business and conference rooms. The Hunt Club Executive Boardroom seats 20 in luxury and high technology. There are five other meeting facilities, ranging from small (up to eight delegates) to large (up to 16 attendees), featuring TV/DVD, Internet access and refreshments.
Facilities: Other facilities at Macdonald-Cartier International include a lost-and-found office (level 1), tour operators, police station, public phones, restrooms and baby-changing rooms.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is free throughout the airport.
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