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Ottawa tours and vacation packages cover Canada's capital, on the Ottawa River in eastern Ontario. Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal sit alongside each other in the centre — the canal is Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in winter it freezes into the world's largest skating rink. Day tours reach the city from Montreal. On the longer routes from Toronto and New York, Ottawa is one stop among several eastern Canada cities. Hotels, transport and a guide are included on multi-day trips.
Our best-selling trips that reach Ottawa. Day tours run from Montreal and stay in the city; routes from Toronto and New York take in Ottawa alongside Montreal, Quebec City and the Thousand Islands. Coach transport and a guide are included on every trip; multi-day trips include hotels.
Montreal is the only departure close enough for a day tour that stays in Ottawa. From Toronto and New York, Ottawa is one stop on a longer eastern Canada route. Pick a departure city to see the routes that leave from it, prices and how many days you'll need.
| Trip | Days | You'll see | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day trips | 1 Day | Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the museums, on a single day out from Montreal | $40 | A day in the capital |
| Short trips | 2-4 Days | Ottawa with Montreal, Quebec City and the Thousand Islands on one loop from Toronto | $141 | A first trip east |
| Vacation packages | 5+ Days | Longer eastern Canada routes adding Niagara Falls, Halifax and Prince Edward Island | $404 | The whole east |
Parliament Hill stands on the bluff above the Ottawa River, with the Rideau Canal running into the river beside it — the canal is Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in winter it freezes into the world's largest skating rink. The Canadian War Museum sits downstream on the same bank, about two kilometres west. Both are short stops on the multi-city routes and get more time on the day tours from Montreal.
For most travelers it works better as part of an eastern Canada route. The centre is compact — Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the museums sit within walking distance of each other — so a day covers the main sights. That is why the tours that focus on Ottawa are day trips from Montreal, and why the longer routes treat it as a stop between the Thousand Islands and Montreal rather than a base.
One day covers the city centre. From Montreal that works as a day tour and gets you back the same evening. Three to four day routes from Toronto take in Ottawa alongside Montreal, Quebec City and the Thousand Islands. A week and up adds Halifax and Prince Edward Island, or Niagara Falls at the other end.
Ottawa is in Ontario, Canada, so travelers arriving from the United States need a valid passport, and entry requirements differ by nationality and by US immigration status — green card and visa holders should confirm their own before booking. Routes arriving from New York cross the border, so keep documents with you rather than in a bag in the hold. Otherwise: shoes you can walk in, and a warm layer — Ottawa is one of the coldest capital cities in the world.
May brings the Canadian Tulip Festival, when beds are planted across the city and along the canal. Summer is the widest choice of routes, and Parliament Hill runs its outdoor programme. Autumn is quieter and the drive in from either direction runs through colour. Winter is when the canal may freeze into the Skateway, though that depends on the weather each year.
The city centre is level and the main sights are close together, so Ottawa is one of the easier stops on an eastern Canada route. Parliament Hill is viewed from the lawn in front, with no climbing involved. The Canadian War Museum is indoors and flat throughout, which makes it the reliable choice in bad weather. Day tours from Montreal avoid the hotel changes that come with the longer routes.
Meal stops are usually at cafeterias and food courts rather than set restaurants, so travelers order their own and vegetarian options are available at every stop. Stricter requirements such as Jain or halal depend on what each stop carries, so raise them before departure rather than on the day. Ottawa's Byward Market, just east of Parliament Hill, has the widest choice in the city. Day tours do not include meals; some multi-day routes include breakfast.
Choose a departure city and a date, and book online. Your confirmation gives the pickup point and time — these are set by the route rather than chosen at checkout. Day tours leave from Montreal; longer routes arrive from Toronto or New York. Prices are per person and change by season.
It depends on the route. Day tours from Montreal spend the day in the city. On the multi-city routes from Toronto and New York, Ottawa is one stop among several — usually a few hours around Parliament Hill and the canal before the coach moves on to Montreal or Quebec City. Each tour page sets out the itinerary day by day.
In winter, when the ice is thick enough. The Rideau Canal Skateway is free and open around the clock, and stretches 7.8 km through the middle of the city. The season usually runs from January to early March, but it depends entirely on the weather — in the winter of 2023 to 2024 it did not open at all. Skate rental is available on site. No tour can guarantee it.
Routes arriving from New York cross the border, and the crossing is checked in each direction. Everyone on board needs documents valid for both countries. Requirements differ by nationality and by immigration status, so confirm your own before booking rather than at the border. Routes from Toronto and Montreal stay within Canada.
