Travelling from Nanaimo to Ottawa: what you need to know
Many great adventures start at one of Nanaimo's main airports, Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) or Nanaimo Airport (YCD). Explore the options for booking a flight from Nanaimo to Ottawa taking off from either of these.
When it comes to where you'll hop off the plane, Ottawa's major arrival point is Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Ottawa is four hours ahead of Nanaimo and is in the UTC-4 timezone.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Nanaimo to Ottawa flight.
Travelling over a peak time such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nanaimo to Ottawa
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Nanaimo to Ottawa flights if you book in advance. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your plane ticket from Nanaimo to Ottawa.
You don't need to check every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Nanaimo to Ottawa.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Nanaimo to Ottawa flights.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
The distance from Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa is roughly 14 kilometres. It'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near YND if you're coming in on a late flight from Nanaimo to Ottawa. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Venture beyond Ottawa and discover places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can grab an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car from Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Ottawa Gatineau Airport a few weeks before your departure date to lock in the best possible deal. If you're going away during a busy period, it's smart to book your Nanaimo to Ottawa flight even earlier.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Central Ottawa is located around 11 kilometres from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). As soon as your flight from Nanaimo to Ottawa has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 20 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 45 minutes or so.
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Alamo or Budget and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride two weeks before your arrival at YOW can help you lock in a better rate.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
More about Ottawa
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Ottawa right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Nanaimo to Ottawa:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are must-visits when exploring Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
Ottawa has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Canada just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres south-west of Ottawa, a visit to Toronto will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Canada, consider Montreal, about 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal are among the biggest draws.
