Learn about Ottawa
Ottawa extends for more than 50 kilometres along the Ottawa River, and neighbouring Gatineau is equally geographically dispersed along the Quebec side of the river. Many tourist and visitor attractions are clustered in the central parts of the two cities, making them a short cab ride from city-centre hotels. Blue Line cabs are the most common on the Ontario side, and they serve all of Ottawa. Other firms operate mostly in local areas. There are a number of accessible London-style cabs that give priority to calls from disabled clients. Cabs can usually be found at major Hotels such as the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and during the day at major government office buildings. From most locations, it is bes to call and request a cab. A handy list of taxi firms and the phone numbers for their dispatchers is at http://www.foundlocally.com/ottawa/Trans/Trans-TaxiListing.htm
Because of the distances between places of interest, travel by cab can be expensive. Expect to pay $25 or more (depending on traffic) to get from downtown to the airport. Hotel shuttles offer a less expensive alternative.
One economical option is often overlooked, even by local residents. Ottawa does not have a subway, but its Transitway system has dedicated bus-only roads and highway lanes that run from east to west along the river and from downtown to the airport and train station. Basic bus fare is currently $3, but only about $1.90 if you have tickets. Buses are wheelchair accessible and the drivers will call out your stop if you let them know where you want to get off. OC Transpo (the Ottawa transit system) has a very user friendly Web site at http://www.octranspo.com/. It provides fares, schedules, information about passes, and even a utility to tell you which bus or buses to use to get from one specific point to another anywhere in the city.
As with any public transit system, Ottawa buses can be crowded at rush hours, and at the best of times they do not provide the comfort or convenience of a taxi or hotel shuttle. But for the budget traveller, it is a safe and very efficient option. Number 97 buses are usually waiting just outside the doors at the airport and leave for downtown every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day. The VIA Rail station is on the main east-west Transitway and there are buses every few minutes heading downtown.
At peak hours, make sure you are getting onto a regular bus and not one of the dedicated "express" buses that charge premium fares for trips from the far outskirts of the city into downtown. The express buses will still get you downtown, but will cost an extra dollar or two. Your "proof of purchase" POP transfer will allow you to transfer to any other bus up until the time indicated on the transfer, and day passes are available for unlimited travel.
The Gatineau side of the river is even more automobile oriented than the Ottawa side, but it does have bus service, and connections can be made in downtown Ottawa on Rideau Street near Sussex Drive. The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) has a web site specifically for tourists at http://www.sto.ca/tourisme/index_e.asp
During the summer, visitors to the Byward Market can get around by rickshaw, and there are horse-drawn carriages that provide a traditional way of seeing this historic part of the city. And believe it or not, there is a horse stable tucked away behind a row of store fronts in the Market. The carriages and rickshasws often wait just across the street from the main Market Building, or try Lucky Luc Carriage & Sleigh Services at (613) 789-5710 for information.
