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Travelling to YOW

Planning for your arrival in Ottawa starts long before you take off. 

Welcome to Ottawa!

Whether you’re heading downtown, getting picked up by a loved one or taking the bus, the ground transportation options are all available on Level 1. Find out how to make the process from cabin to curb as seamless as it can be!

Is someone picking you up?

Collect your bags and proceed through the doors to the furthest roadway from the terminal. Send a mobile message to the driver letting them know you’re ready and at which pillar they can pick you up. Drivers should wait in the Cell Phone Lot.

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Do you need to rent a car?

Many car rental companies operate at YOW and most of their offices are located on Level 1 of the Parkade, across the street from the terminal.

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Are you leaving YOW using a paid service?

Many authorized transportation service providers operate at YOW, including taxis, public transportation, airport shuttle, and rideshare.

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Arriving from within Canada

Passengers originating from a city in Canada will exit the Canada/International secure area near gate 17 and proceed down to Level 1 to claim their checked luggage and exit the terminal.

Connecting through YOW 

Arriving from outside of Canada

Passengers arriving from an international or U.S. city will be required to meet Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requirements upon arrival and clear Canadian Customs and Immigration prior to collecting their baggage. 

After collecting baggage and proceeding to the Customs Hall exit, a CBSA agent will either direct them to the public area of the terminal, or to secondary screening.

Primary inspection kiosks

When you arrive at YOW, you will need to verify your identity and make an on-screen declaration at a primary inspection kiosk.

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Advance Declaration

You can make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before your arrival at YOW using Advance Declaration in the ArriveCAN app, then use the dedicated express lanes at the Airport

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NEXUS

This program, jointly run by the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, speeds up border crossings into Canada and the U.S. for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. NEXUS members can avoid long line-ups by using dedicated arrival kiosks at YOW.

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Connecting through YOW 

Restricted and prohibited goods

Ensure that you have the information you need before attempting to import items into Canada.

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Travelling with an animal

There are several canine units working at YOW to keep the Airport safe.  

While we welcome service animals and animals who are travelling through the Airport, it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid interactions with our working dogs.

  • Unless the animal you are travelling with is a service animal, your animal must remain in a carrier from the time you arrive at the Airport until you exit the terminal. 
  • A designated animal relief area is located across the street from the terminal (Level 1) along the Parkade (P1). The area is clearly marked and plastic bags and garbage containers are available for disposal.