Cheap Flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

Compare Ottawa to Thunder Bay flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Thunder Bay

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Flight deals from Ottawa to Thunder Bay Airport

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 5,092. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Ottawa to Thunder Bay flights are currently cheapest in April.

Direct flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

Ottawa to Thunder Bay: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Ottawa to Thunder Bay below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Thunder Bay.

Ottawa to Thunder Bay: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 2,795
Cheapest month to flyApril
Average flight time2 hrs, 28 mins
Most popular airlineAir Transat
Average flights per week22

Finding cheap flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is R 5,045. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
2 hours and 28 minutes is the average flight time from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
Air Transat, Porter Airlines and Porter Airlines Inc fly direct from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
As of March 2026, there are 22 flights per week flying from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
The cheapest month to fly from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is usually June.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Ottawa to Thunder Bay Airport on Friday, 5 June 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 28 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Thunder Bay but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Thunder Bay is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
The cheapest airline that flies to Thunder Bay is Porter Airlines .

Flying from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT): What you need to know

  • Ottawa's main airport is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). Explore your options for departing from this base when searching for flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT).

  • 2 hours 25 minutes is the average duration of a direct Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport flight.

  • Thunder Bay's timezone is UTC-5, which is the same as Ottawa. Thunder Bay International Airport is located in Thunder Bay.

  • The most popular route is from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT), with 13 direct weekly services. If you'd rather get moving right away, the earliest flight from YOW to YQT is the 8:50am Porter Airlines option. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the last departure is at 7:10pm with Porter Airlines.

  • For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Ottawa to YQT.

  • Popular months like August or other busy periods mean longer lines and potential delays. Stick to your schedule by getting to the airport even earlier. Aim for at least four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.

Airports in Ottawa

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

  • You can hop on a direct flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) leaving from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).

  • Porter Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport departing from YOW.

  • Most passengers choose to fly with Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd between YOW and YQT.

  • Among carriers operating on this route, Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd is the most consistent for on-time landings.

  • The journey from central Ottawa to YOW takes around 35 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

  • Want a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:

  • 58% of flights departing from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport make it to their destination on schedule.

  • You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.

About Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)

Getting from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) to central Thunder Bay

  • Thunder Bay International Airport is around 14 kilometres from the centre of Thunder Bay. It takes around 15 minutes or so to get to the city by car.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes.

How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)

  • Currently, R 2,795 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 5,045. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.

  • To pick up cheap flights from Ottawa to YQT, book in advance. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.

  • The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.

  • You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on plane tickets from Ottawa to YQT.

  • Find the best deal on a flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

The best time to fly from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)

  • September is the quietest month for flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT), while June is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to Thunder Bay based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.

  • Before locking in your Ottawa to YQT plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Thunder Bay, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC (52ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF).

  • If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport in January when temperatures are between -21ºC (-6ºF) and -5ºC (23ºF).

More about Thunder Bay

  • After booking your flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay International Airport, find a hotel that's got location and comfort covered. Make one of these options your base for exploring Thunder Bay:

  • You'll find loads of terrific things to do in Thunder Bay when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Head straight for Terry Fox Monument followed by Fort William Historical Park and Albany River Provincial Park.

Explore more of Canada

  • You've visited Thunder Bay, now it's time to discover other parts of Canada. Journey about 290 kilometres northwest to Dryden to check off its top attractions. From Blue Lake Provincial Park to Johnston's Park and Sandy Beach Park, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.