Car rental at Ottawa Airport

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals at Ottawa Airport

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Mini car
Mini
M
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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
M
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
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Standard car
Standard
M
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Full-size car
Full-size
M
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Luxury car
Luxury
M
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People mover car
People mover
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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SUV car
SUV
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Ottawa Airport car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Ottawa Airport with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in Ottawa Airport?

You should book your rental car in Ottawa Airport around 90 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car rental company in Ottawa Airport?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Ottawa Airport are Alamo (9.3, 21 reviews), Budget (7.7, 27 reviews), and Routes Car & Truck Rentals (5.5, 48 reviews).
Alamo
Alamo
Rated 9.3/10
Budget
Budget
Rated 7.7/10
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
Rated 5.5/10
National
National
Rated 9.1/10

What is the most popular rental car in Ottawa Airport?

Intermediate rentals (Toyota RAV4 or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Ottawa Airporte. Intermediate cars in Ottawa Airport cost $103/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $103/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Ottawa Airport?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Ottawa Airport is March at an average cost of $43/day. August is the most expensive month to hire a car in Ottawa Airport when prices are $84/day on average, which tends to be 154% above the yearly average hire price for Ottawa Airport.

What rental car company in Ottawa Airport has the most locations?

Discount Car & Truck Rentals, Europcar and keddy by Europcar operate 2 locations each in Ottawa Airport, more than any other rental company.
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Top tips for hiring 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 car hire 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

9.3

Wonderful

Read 21 reviews

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.2

Value for money

8.7

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

Anonymous, Jun 2025

Economy

KAYAK
Fast and efficient

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2025

Premium SUV

KAYAK
Nice, friendly and available.

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.

1 out of 7

Budget

7.7

Good

Read 27 reviews

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.1

Value for money

7.6

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway

+1 613 521 4844

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
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

8.0 Very Good

Kate, Apr 2025

Intermediate

KAYAK
Great check in and return. Car USB wasn’t working and couldn’t connect CarPlay but everything else was working fine.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
It's a big ask, but Budget might want to consider putting snow tires on their vehicles during the winter months. I absolutely loved the Mini Countryman I got for my rental, but had more than a few white-knuckle moments during a pretty moderate snowfall because the sporty tires were absolutely useless off of dry asphalt. I think the cost of winter tires would be hugely offset by the avoidance of some winter-related accidents.

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, Sept 2024

Pick-up 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

Pick-up truck

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

1 out of 9

Routes Car & Truck Rentals

5.5

Fair

Read 48 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

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2025

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
They would not rent the vehicle without a $1500 deposit that was not disclosed prior to rental. So... I was not able to rent the vehicle

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2025

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Real easy to pickup and drop off. Everything was fast, car was brand new.

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

1 out of 16

National

9.1

Wonderful

Read 10 reviews

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.6

Value for money

8.6

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

Timothy, Dec 2024

Pick-up truck

KAYAK
The truck's stereo system and display.Different traction options.Didn't like burnt plastic smell that was persent occasionally(fanbelt).

1 out of 4

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.7

Very Good

Read 6 reviews

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

8.2

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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Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Mahmoud, Sept 2024

Pick-up 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

Pick-up truck

KAYAK
Cheaper rates

1 out of 2

Avis

8.1

Very Good

Read 6 reviews

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

7.6

One location in Ottawa Airport

Show locations

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 739 3334

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday07:30 - 23:0000:00 - 01:00
Sunday07:30 - 23:00
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Filters

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.

1 out of 2

Hertz

7.3

Good

Read 2 reviews

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.4

Value for money

6.8

One location in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1003 Airport Parkway Private

+1 613 521 3332

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
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Moe, Feb 2025

Compact

KAYAK
Everything was great however I didn’t like how cheap the company was not to include winter tires and have it as an additional item. It’s cheap, unprofessional and jepredizes safety for a little money

Europcar

5.7

Fair

Read 17 reviews

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.8

Value for money

6.2

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, Mar 2025

Intermediate

KAYAK
Can you please send me a receipt? I never got one

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2025

Compact SUV

KAYAK
It was a terrible experience from start to finish.

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.

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
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6.2

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

2 locations in Ottawa Airport

Locations in Ottawa Airport

1749 Bank Street N

+1 613 667 9394

Opening times not available

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

240 travellers who rented a car in Ottawa Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.7

Car rental locations at Ottawa Airport

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Everything you need to know for your car rental at Ottawa

Car Rental YOW: Flying into Ottawa Airport? Find the cheapest Ottawa Airport car rental now with KAYAK. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the best rental car deal at Ottawa Airport.

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