Ottawa operates public transit through OC Transpo, which runs bus routes across the city and the Confederation Line light rail system. The Confederation Line opened in 2019 and runs 12.5 kilometres from Tunney's Pasture in the west to Blair Road in the east, serving 13 stations through downtown. Trains arrive every five minutes during peak hours and every ten minutes during off-peak periods on weekdays. A single adult fare costs $3.75 as of 2024, while a day pass costs $11.25. Transfers between buses and trains are included within the fare structure for 90 minutes from initial boarding. Payment requires a Presto card, available at stations and retail locations with a $6 refundable deposit, or paper tickets purchased at stations.
Bus routes connect to suburban areas including Kanata, Barrhaven, and Orleans, with approximately 200 routes operating across the network. Route 97 serves the airport, running between downtown and Ottawa International Airport with departures every 30 minutes during weekdays and every 60 minutes on weekends. The journey from downtown takes approximately 35 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Express routes numbered in the 60s and 70s provide faster service along major corridors during morning and evening peak periods. Night service operates on limited routes after regular service ends around midnight, with buses running hourly until approximately 2:30 AM on major corridors.
The Rideau Canal becomes a skating route during winter months, typically from January through early March depending on ice conditions. Parks Canada operates this 7.8-kilometre skateway between the National Arts Centre and Dow's Lake, making it the longest naturally frozen skating rink maintained for public use. Access points exist at multiple locations including Fifth Avenue, the National Arts Centre, and Dow's Lake Pavilion. The skateway operates free of charge when ice thickness reaches 30 centimetres, with maintenance crews clearing snow and monitoring conditions daily. Skating typically occurs between 8 AM and 10 PM when open, with heated rest areas and food concessions at several locations along the route.
Cycling infrastructure includes approximately 600 kilometres of pathways and lanes across the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The Ottawa River Pathway runs along the southern bank from Shirleys Bay in the west to Petrie Island in the east, covering approximately 35 kilometres. The Rideau Canal Western Pathway parallels the canal from downtown to Dow's Lake, continuing south toward Carleton University. Bike-sharing through VeloGO provides access to bicycles at stations throughout downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods, with single rides costing $3.50 for 30 minutes and day passes at $9.00. The system operates from April through November depending on weather conditions. Bikes are permitted on Confederation Line trains except during peak hours on weekdays from 6:30 to 9:00 AM and 3:30 to 6:00 PM.
Taxis operate through multiple companies including Blueline and Capital Taxi, with fares starting at $3.75 plus $1.95 per kilometre as of 2024. Rideshare services including Uber and Lyft operate throughout Ottawa and Gatineau. Airport trips to downtown typically cost between $35 and $45 by taxi depending on traffic and exact destination. Ride availability decreases in suburban areas compared to downtown and major commercial districts.
Walking remains practical in downtown Ottawa between major attractions. Parliament Hill sits 1.8 kilometres from the Byward Market via Wellington Street and Rideau Street, a walk of approximately 20 minutes. The Canadian War Museum on LeBreton Flats stands 2.3 kilometres west of Parliament Hill along Wellington Street, approximately 25 minutes on foot. The National Gallery of Canada faces the northern edge of downtown, 800 metres from Parliament Hill across the Alexandra Bridge approach. Sidewalks receive regular maintenance during winter, though ice and snow create hazardous conditions during storms and extreme cold periods from December through March.
Gatineau sits directly across the Ottawa River via five bridges connecting the two cities. The Alexandra Bridge carries pedestrians and cyclists between Parliament Hill and the Canadian Museum of History, with the crossing taking approximately 10 minutes on foot. OC Transpo and Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) maintain reciprocal agreements allowing passes from either system to work on the other network. STO Route 33 connects downtown Hull to downtown Ottawa via the Portage Bridge, running every 10 minutes during peak hours. The Confederation Line connects to Gatineau via the Prince of Wales Bridge, though this connection serves primarily as infrastructure for future expansion rather than current passenger service.
Car rental operates through agencies at Ottawa International Airport and downtown locations. Winter driving requires awareness of snow clearing schedules and parking restrictions. On-street parking downtown costs between $3.00 and $4.00 per hour depending on location and time of day, with evening and weekend rates reduced in many zones. Parking apps including HonkMobile and ParkMobile allow payment without physical meters. Highway 417 (the Queensway) runs east-west through Ottawa, providing access to suburban areas and connections to Highway 416 southbound toward Highway 401. Traffic congestion occurs regularly during weekday peak hours on the Queensway between 7:00 and 9:00 AM and 4:00 and 6:00 PM, particularly near the downtown exits.
Para Transpo provides specialized transit service for residents unable to use conventional transit due to disability. Registration requires assessment by an occupational therapist or physician confirming eligibility under accessibility criteria. Confederation Line stations include elevators and level boarding for wheelchair access. All OC Transpo buses feature low floors or wheelchair ramps, with designated securement areas.
The Transitway comprises dedicated bus lanes operating separately from regular traffic on several corridors through Ottawa. These lanes existed before light rail construction, with some sections converted to the Confederation Line route and others remaining as bus-only roadways. The remaining Transitway sections include the western corridor from Tunney's Pasture to Bayshore and eastern segments beyond Blair station. Future transit expansion plans include the Stage 2 Light Rail Transit project, which will extend the Confederation Line east to Trim Road and west to Moodie Drive, with southern extensions along the Trillium Line to Riverside South and Ottawa Airport. This expansion faced delays from original completion targets, with various segments entering service between 2023 and 2025.
Ferry service does not operate as regular public transit in Ottawa, though private tour boats run on the Ottawa River during summer months from May through October. Water taxis operated intermittently during past years but do not currently provide scheduled service between Ottawa and Gatineau shorelines.
Interprovincial travel between Ontario and Quebec requires no documentation for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Visitors should carry identification when crossing provincial boundaries, though routine checks do not occur on bridges between Ottawa and Gatineau. Quebec traffic signs appear in French only, while Ontario uses English or bilingual signage depending on location. Speed limits in Quebec appear in kilometres per hour, matching Ontario standards, with residential areas typically posted at 40 or 50 km/h and major roads at 60 to 90 km/h within urban boundaries.
Regional transit connections to areas outside Ottawa operate through different systems. Greyhound discontinued Canadian operations in 2021, with regional bus service now provided through other carriers. OrléansExpress serves routes to Montreal from Ottawa, with buses departing from the VIA Rail station on Tremblay Road. The trip takes approximately 2.5 hours with tickets starting around $30 to $40 depending on booking time. VIA Rail operates frequent train service to Montreal, Toronto, and other destinations from Ottawa station, with the Montreal route taking approximately 2 hours and Toronto service requiring 4.5 to 5 hours.