Montréal to Ottawa: day trip guide
Montreal Private Day Tour to Ottawa
Duration: 8-10 hours
Is Ottawa worth a day trip from Montréal?
Yes. Ottawa is 2 hours from Montréal and has an extraordinary concentration of free world-class museums, Parliament Hill with free tours, and the historic ByWard Market. In winter, the Rideau Canal becomes the world's longest outdoor skating rink. A very rewarding day out.
The capital next door
Ottawa is one of Canada’s most underrated cities — and it happens to be 2 hours from Montréal. For a day trip destination, it punches far above its weight: the national museums are world-class and mostly free, Parliament Hill is actually interesting, and ByWard Market feeds you well. You cross an invisible provincial border (Québec into Ontario) but there’s no checkpoint, no passport, no formalities.
Getting there
By car
Route: Montréal island → Highway 40 west → Ontario border → Highway 417 east (Queensway) → Ottawa downtown. Distance: ~200 km. Time: 1h45-2h15.
Parking in central Ottawa is available in lots around the ByWard Market and the museum strip on Elgin Street (approximately $15-25 CAD/day). Some museums have free parking on weekends.
Leave Montréal by 08h00 to reach Ottawa by 10h00 and have a full day.
By Via Rail
Via Rail operates Ottawa–Montréal service (roughly 5 trains/day). Journey time: 2 hours. Fares: $40-80 CAD one way. The Ottawa station (Gare d’Ottawa) is in the Tremblay neighbourhood, about 4 km from Parliament Hill — take bus route 95 or a taxi ($20 CAD) to downtown.
By guided tour or private transfer
A private tour or transfer takes the driving stress out and can include a guide:
Montreal Private Day Tour to OttawaFor airport-based travellers starting or ending in Montréal:
Private Transfer to Ottawa from YULA day in Ottawa: what’s worth your time
Parliament Hill
The most architecturally dramatic part of Ottawa. The Gothic Revival Centre Block sits on a hill above the Ottawa River, with the Peace Tower visible from across the city. Free guided tours of the interior run regularly throughout the day — book at the visitor centre or online at parl.gc.ca. The Centre Block is undergoing long-term renovation; some areas may be restricted depending on the year.
Changing of the Guard (late June–late August): 10h00 on the front lawn. A 30-minute ceremonial inspection with the full Governor General’s Foot Guards in bearskin hats. More impressive than it sounds — the procession marches from Cartier Square barracks along Elgin Street.
National Gallery of Canada
Immediately east of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery is one of the finest art museums in North America. The Moshe Safdie building (1988) is itself a landmark — a spiral glass tower overlooking the Ottawa River. The permanent collection spans Canadian art from New France to contemporary, plus strong international works including a major Rembrandt, Mantegna, and several Group of Seven masterpieces.
Entry: Free for the permanent collection. Temporary exhibitions charge admission ($15-25 CAD). Hours: 10h00-17h00 (Thursday to 20h00). Closed Mondays.
Allow 1.5-2.5 hours. Don’t try to see everything.
ByWard Market
Four blocks east of the National Gallery, the ByWard Market is Ottawa’s historic market district. The covered market hall (farm produce, flowers, artisan goods) is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and independent shops. This is the best lunch stop in Ottawa.
Lunch picks: Zak’s Diner (comfort food, open 24h), Ahora (Mexican), Town (neighbourhood bistro), or just buy provisions from the market stalls for a picnic on the Hill.
The beaver tail (a flat, deep-fried pastry topped with cinnamon sugar or Nutella) is Ottawa’s street food signature — available from the BeaverTails stand at the market and several canal-side kiosks. Touristy but genuinely good.
Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, across the river)
The Canadian Museum of History is technically in Gatineau, Québec — across the Alexandra Bridge. The building by architect Douglas Cardinal (Blackfoot Nation) is extraordinary: organic curves of pale stone on the riverbank, designed to evoke the landscapes of the Canadian Shield. The Canada Hall inside recreates the entire sweep of Canadian history from pre-contact to present.
Entry: ~$20 CAD adults (discounts for families, seniors).
The 15-minute walk from Ottawa downtown over the Alexandra Bridge is one of the best perspectives on Parliament Hill.
Rideau Canal (year-round)
The Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site runs from downtown Ottawa south 202 km to Kingston. In the city, the canal is flanked by a pleasant greenway — cycling and walking paths that stretch 8 km from the Parliament Hill end to Hog’s Back Falls.
Summer: walk or cycle the towpaths. Rent a kayak at Dow’s Lake Pavilion.
Winter: the first 7.8 km from the locks at Parliament Hill to Dow’s Lake freezes and becomes the world’s longest naturally maintained outdoor skating rink. Not every year — minimum sustained cold temperatures are required. When it opens (typically late January–late February), it’s genuinely magical. Skate rentals available at multiple points along the canal.
Sparks Street pedestrian mall
Ottawa’s oldest pedestrian street connects the canal to Parliament Hill. Mostly government offices and some restaurants. The main interest is the animated public art along the strip. Worth a 20-minute walk.
What to skip (honest advice)
Rideau Centre mall: generic chain mall. No reason to go unless you need something specific.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica: fine but not in the same league as its namesakes in Montréal or Québec City. Unless you have a specific interest in ecclesiastical architecture.
The Currency Museum (Bank of Canada): surprisingly interesting and free — but only if you have time left.
Ottawa vs Montréal vs Québec City: context
Ottawa is in Ontario, not Québec. The vibe is different: English-dominant, more formal, fewer outdoor terraces. It doesn’t have Québec City’s visual drama or Montréal’s gastronomic depth. But the free museums are genuinely world-class and Parliament Hill has no equivalent in Québec. It’s worth a day trip specifically for those two things.
Suggested day itinerary
08h00: Leave Montréal 10h00: Arrive Ottawa, park near ByWard Market 10h15: Parliament Hill — Changing of the Guard (summer) or interior tour 12h00: ByWard Market lunch 13h30: National Gallery of Canada (2 hours) 15h30: Walk to Canadian Museum of History across the bridge (optional, 1h) 17h00: Coffee at Sparks Street or canal walk 17h30: Depart Ottawa 19h30: Back in Montréal
Practical tips
- Parking: ByWard Market area lots are the most central. Book via ParkWhiz or SpotHero if arriving Friday-Sunday.
- Language: Ottawa has a French-speaking minority; most downtown services are bilingual. No language issues for French-speaking visitors from Québec.
- Money: Ontario, so prices are quoted in CAD as in Québec. Taxes apply (HST 13% in Ontario, vs ~15% in Québec) — very slightly cheaper on restaurant bills.
- Cell coverage: strong throughout Ottawa.
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Frequently asked questions about Montréal to Ottawa: day trip guide
How far is Ottawa from Montréal by car?
Ottawa is approximately 200 km from downtown Montréal via Highway 40 west and Highway 417 (Queensway) east. Driving time is 1h45-2h15 depending on traffic. Montreal island traffic can add 30 minutes during morning rush hour. The crossing between Québec and Ontario is seamless — no border checks, no toll on this route.Is there a train from Montréal to Ottawa?
Yes. Via Rail operates a Montréal–Ottawa service approximately 5 times daily. Journey time: 2 hours. Fares: $40-80 CAD one way. Ottawa's Via Rail station is in the Tremblay district — not downtown. You'll need a bus or taxi ($20) to reach Parliament Hill from the station.What can I visit for free in Ottawa?
Most major federal museums and institutions are free or have suggested donations: National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History (just across the river in Gatineau), Canadian War Museum, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canadian Nature Museum, and Bank of Canada Museum. Parliament Hill tours are free (book online in advance).What time is the Changing of the Guard at Parliament Hill?
The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 10h00 every morning from late June to late August. It lasts about 30 minutes and includes the full procession across the front lawn of Parliament Hill. Arrive by 09h45 for a good viewing position. This ceremony does not happen in other seasons.When does the Rideau Canal freeze for skating?
The Rideau Canal skating rink typically opens in late January and closes in late February or early March, depending on temperatures. The 7.8 km stretch between Downtown and the Dows Lake Pavilion is maintained by the National Capital Commission. Skate rentals and hot Beavertails (pastry) are available along the route. It doesn't open every year — check the NCC website for the current season.What is a practical itinerary for a day trip to Ottawa from Montréal?
Leave Montréal by 08h00. Arrive Ottawa ~10h00. Morning: Parliament Hill tour (free, book ahead) + Changing of the Guard (summer) or ByWard Market breakfast. Afternoon: National Gallery (2 hours) + lunch in ByWard Market. Late afternoon: Rideau Canal walk or Sparks Street stroll. Depart Ottawa by 17h-18h to avoid rush hour on Highway 417. Back in Montréal by 19h30-20h.
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