Option 1: Driving
- Travel time: ~5-6 hours
- Highway 401 followed by Highway 416 directly connects Toronto and Ottawa by freeway. The more remote Highway 7 is another option should the 401 be closed due to a collision.
- Pros: Fastest option outside of rush hour, direct, flexible if your destination is in the suburbs
- Cons: Rush hour traffic in both cities, paying for parking can be expensive
- The gist: Driving between Toronto and Ottawa is a convenient option but be wary of traffic and expensive pay parking.
Option 2: Intercity Train
- Travel time: ~4-5 hours
- Via Rail Canada offers multiple daily departures between Toronto Union Station and Ottawa Station.
- Fares: Starting at $55 CDN
- Pros: Fast, comfortable seating, business class, wi-fi, drinks and food available to purchase, convenient onward transit connections
- Cons: Few late night options, delays, very expensive if not booking in advance, Ottawa Station is not downtown
- The gist: VIA Rail is a fast and relaxing way to travel but be sure to book well in advance to save and be aware of delays.
Option 3: Intercity Bus
- Travel time: ~5-6 hours
- Intercity carriers all offer frequent, direct, daily coach bus service between Toronto and Ottawa. Some buses (where noted) also stop at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) for added convenience. Kind in mind that not all buses depart from the main Union Station Bus Terminal in Toronto. Unfortunately, Ottawa does not have a central bus terminal. Coaches depart from either Ottawa (Tremblay) Station (VIA Rail, O-Train) or the nearby St-Laurent Station (O-Train).
- Fares: Starting at $40 CDN
- Pros: Budget friendly, flexibility, lots of options, express services, wi-fi, outlets
- Cons: Long travel time, less space than train, traffic delays, different agencies run different routes and not all stop at a central terminal in Ottawa.
- The gist: Coach bus service between Toronto and Ottawa is competitive and frequent with multiple options to choose from. Some routes conveniently stop at the
Option 4: Airplane
- Travel time: ~1 hour not including check-in, security and transit to downtown (~3.5 hours total when factored in)
- Air Canada,WestJet, andPorter Airlines offer multiple daily flights between Toronto International Airport (YYZ) and Ottawa Airport (YOW). Additionally, Air Canada and Porter Airlines fly out of the downtown Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
- Fares: Starting at $160 CDN
- Pros: Fastest, direct, multiple carriers to choose from
- Cons: Expensive, travelling to/from the airport, check in/security times, high carbon output, less scenic
- The gist: Flying is a fast and convenient option. But a very expensive option if you don’t book far enough in advance.