Decided on a Car Rental in Ottawa? Here’s All You Need to Know:
Ottawa is an amazing city on the banks of the Ontario River, which became the capital of Canada by order of Queen Victoria. In the mid-19th century, a lumberjack camp in North America changed its name from Bytown to Ottawa, acquired the Houses of Parliament and received the status of a capital city. It is often thought that Canada is almost a snowy plain, and tourists are genuinely amazed at the sight of luxurious parks in vibrant greenery and beautiful examples of British architecture. The monumental complex of buildings of the Parliament built in the Victorian style has become the hallmark of the city.
Now it is a beautiful tourist town with beautiful green parks and water bodies, full of attractions and safe to visit.
International Airport. McDonald - Cartier accepts planes from all over the world, it is also convenient to arrange a car rental contract through the Bookingautos website.
What to see in Ottawa
Canadian museum of nature. Very interesting interactive museum of nature. On the first floor, the exposition shows statues and interactive fossil creatures, the second floor is dedicated to the aquatic world in all its diversity, above are expositions with animals and birds of Canada. There are quests for children with different plots, many of them are interesting for adult visitors as well.
Parliament Hill beautiful in every way. A real castle, the entrance to which is allowed for tourists as part of excursion groups. It is located in the geographical center of Ottawa, and the neat English lawns around regularly serve as festival sites. Inside the castle there are viewing platforms that offer stunning views of the river and the city.
Notre Dame Basilica. A very beautiful functioning cathedral, built in two styles: the lower part is neo-classical, and the towers and vaults are created in the neo-Gothic style. Inside, the basilica impresses with murals and stained-glass windows, high ceilings give a great sound to the choirs during worship. This wonderful example of Gothic architecture is especially beautiful in the evening and at night.
National Gallery of Canada. A modern spacious and bright museum with a decent collection of art paintings from the Impressionists and Renaissance masters to contemporary art.
Where to go near Ottawa for 1-2 days.
The nature of Canada is beautiful and original, it is worth renting a car and driving around the capital's suburbs. Near the city is the huge Morris Island Preserve.
Beautiful trails run along the wooded banks of the Ottawa River. Fishing is allowed in some places; kayaks and canoes can be navigated within the bays of the island. There are equipped toilets and places for picnics, recreation areas with beautiful views. The reserve is wheelchair and pram accessible.
Arboretum (Experimental Farm). The arboretum and experimental farm amaze their guests with the well-groomed park and local animals.
The paths are laid among trees and bushes, equipped with explanatory signs. On the way, there are graceful man-made bridges across ponds and a canal, fields are replaced by wooded areas. The terrain is hilly, you need to be prepared for this.
There are areas for recreation and picnics, you can rent a kayak for walking on the water. The arboretum is beautiful at any time of the year: immersed in flowers in the spring, giving shade and coolness in the summer, and painted with bright autumn colors in the pre-winter. In winter, this place becomes a huge skating rink for citizens and guests of the city.
The best restaurants in Ottawa.
Traditional Canadian cuisine is meat, more meat and some fish. Roast beef, fried chicken, languette, skewered beef with onions and mushrooms, offal and hare pies, thick cream soups and of course maple syrup.
Great steaks in any doneness, fantastic Roast beef and seafood of the highest quality form the backbone of the restaurant's menu. An extensive wine list allows you to choose a worthy addition to any dish. Traditional Canadian high-level service with fast and attentive service by waiters. The restaurant is popular and reservations are recommended.
BeaverTails phone +1 613- 241-1230, 69 George St Byward Market, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 0E7 Canada.
Great patisserie in Ottawa for the traditional beaver tail dessert. This delicacy is considered to be a mandatory program for all those who come to Ottawa. A fried wide strip of dough resembles a small pizza with a filling of chocolate paste, nuts, fruits and cookies.
Ottawa parking lots
There are enough parking lots in Canada, but almost all of them are paid. Residents of some hotels can leave their cars for free for a while, there are restaurants that provide their guests with such a service.
Parking areas are divided into those in residential areas, private and municipal. When stopping for a short time, it is advantageous to use those equipped with parking meters, for a long period, a car park with a daily payment system is better suited. Parking costs start at $1.5 and end at $5, depending on its type.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
24 € / Day
Best price
17 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€174
February
€130
March
€118
April
€152
May
€174
June
€223
July
€242
August
€179
September
€124
October
€128
November
€120
December
€176
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Ottawa rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Ottawa is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Audi A4 is €79per day.
In Ottawa you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Ottawa, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Focusmodel can be rented for just €16 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €14. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Audi A4, Renault Megane Estate, VW Tiguan, which can be rented for as little as €34-€27 per day. Approximately for €79in Ottawa you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €140 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
Recently, in Ottawa has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Ottawa, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be BMW i3.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book in advance
Ottawa is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Fiat Panda or Ford Focus. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Renault Megane Estate in Ottawa will cost €29 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Ottawa, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Ottawa - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Ottawa
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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