Car Hire at Ottawa Airport

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies at Ottawa Airport, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes extra benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your hire
• Premium travel medical assistance for up to 5 passengers in case of emergency, covering up to CAD 200,000 (pre-existing conditions excluded)
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All at no additional cost, ensuring a unique hire experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip at Ottawa Airport.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at Ottawa Airport are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter at Ottawa Airport charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

The hire car counters at Ottawa Airport are located in the Parkade (P1) on Level 1, at 1003 Airport Parkway Private, directly across the street from the terminal via a short outdoor walkway. No shuttle or people mover is needed.

Note that due to ongoing construction, counters for some brands including Alamo and Enterprise have been relocated to the International Arrivals area, directly across from baggage claim. After collecting your luggage, check the signs in the arrivals hall before heading to the parkade.

The general pickup flow at Ottawa Airport is:

• Clear Canadian immigration and customs, then collect your baggage
• Follow Ground Transportation and Parking signs from the arrivals level
• Proceed to the Parkade Level 1 counter (or International Arrivals for Alamo and Enterprise)
• Present your driver’s licence, credit card, passport, and reservation confirmation
• Receive your keys, hire agreement, and Vehicle Condition Report
• Walk to your assigned stall in the parkade for a full vehicle inspection before driving away

The parkade has limited lighting, so use your phone flashlight when inspecting the vehicle and document any pre-existing damage with a timestamped video.

From the moment your plane lands at Ottawa Airport, allow 45 to 90 minutes before you are driving away in your hire car.

The time breaks down roughly as follows:

• 20 to 40 minutes for Canadian immigration, customs, and baggage claim (international arrivals)
• 5 to 10 minutes to walk from the arrivals hall to the hire counters in the Parkade on Level 1
• 10 to 20 minutes at the counter to present documents and review the agreement
• 15 to 30 minutes for a thorough vehicle inspection in the parkade

If your brand offers an express or kiosk check-in option at Ottawa Airport, such as Alamo's self-service kiosk, the counter portion can be significantly shorter. Budget's Fastbreak programme also allows eligible members to go directly to the vehicle with minimal counter time.

To keep things moving, have your driver’s licence, passport, credit card, and reservation confirmation ready before you reach the counter. If your licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, bring your International Driving Permit as well.

To collect your hire car at Ottawa Airport, you must present the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Original, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• International Driving Permit (IDP), recommended if your licence is not in English, and mandatory if it uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic
• Passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for non-residents)
• Major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for payment and the authorisation hold
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for foreign visitors)

At Ottawa Airport, the credit card must be in the main driver’s name. Prepaid cards, virtual cards, and debit cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold. The typical deposit hold in Canada ranges from GBP 200 to GBP 500 depending on the hire company and vehicle class.

Name mismatches between your licence, passport, and credit card are one of the most common reasons a hire is delayed at the counter, so verify all documents match before you travel.

The main toll road relevant to drivers departing Ottawa Airport is Highway 407 ETR, a privately operated, all-electronic highway spanning 108 km across the Greater Toronto Area. It is not near Ottawa itself, but renters driving towards Toronto may encounter it.

The 407 ETR is 100% cashless. There are no toll booths. The system photographs your hire car's licence plate and bills the hire company, which then charges your credit card for the toll amount plus an administrative fee. A sample 25 km peak-period trip can cost approximately GBP 20.50 in total, including a trip charge and a camera charge for vehicles without a transponder.

Other major Ontario highways such as the 401 and 416 are toll-free. The roads immediately around Ottawa Airport, including Highway 417 (Trans-Canada) and Airport Parkway, carry no tolls.

If you plan to use the 407 ETR, ask about a toll pass programme at the counter. Options typically include a flat daily rate or a per-use administrative fee added to each toll. Driving through a toll without enrolling will still result in charges billed after your hire ends, sometimes weeks later.

All bookings include Tolls Cashback from Hola Car Rentals: you can recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire. Submit your toll receipt and hire agreement to [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle.

Counter hours at Ottawa Airport vary by brand. Based on available information, the approximate operating hours are:

• Avis: Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Saturday 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM, Sunday 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM
• Budget: Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Saturday 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM, Sunday 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM
• Enterprise: 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM daily
• Alamo: Limited service between 1:00 AM and 6:30 AM

If you arrive at Ottawa Airport outside counter hours, after-hours returns are available. For Alamo, park as instructed and drop your keys in the drop box outside the office door. Budget's Fastbreak return allows you to record mileage and fuel on the agreement and drop it in the return box without counter interaction. Enterprise also supports after-hours returns.

If your flight is delayed, hire companies at Ottawa Airport will generally hold your booking for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact your booking provider as soon as possible to avoid losing your reservation.

Yes, after-hours returns are available at Ottawa Airport for most major hire brands.

The process depends on your hire company:

• Alamo: Park in the designated area as instructed in your hire agreement, then drop your keys in the drop box located outside the office door
• Budget: Use the Fastbreak return process. Record your mileage and fuel level on the hire agreement and place it in the return box. No counter interaction is needed and your agreement will be mailed to you
• Enterprise: After-hours returns are supported. Follow the instructions on your hire agreement for the Ottawa Airport location

Before returning, refuel the vehicle to the level recorded at pickup. The fuel policy is Full to Full: you receive the car full and must return it full to avoid a refuelling charge plus a service fee billed at the hire company's rate, which is typically higher than pump prices. Refuel within approximately 15 km of Ottawa Airport so the gauge does not drop before you reach the return area.

Take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer before leaving the vehicle, and keep your fuel receipt in case of any dispute.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to hire a car at Ottawa Airport. The card must be a physical card with the driver’s name printed on it. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

At Ottawa Airport, the hire company will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card at pickup. This hold is not a charge but reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the vehicle. Typical hold amounts in Canada range from GBP 150 to GBP 400 depending on the hire company, vehicle class, and location.

A few things to prepare before arriving at Ottawa Airport:

• Confirm your card is enabled for in-person and international transactions
• Set a travel notice with your bank to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation
• Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined
• Make sure your available credit covers the hold amount plus any expected charges

Even if you prepaid your booking in full, you must still present a physical credit card at the Ottawa Airport counter for the deposit hold.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended but not strictly mandatory at Ottawa Airport if your licence is in English. However, it is effectively required if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, since hire staff and Canadian authorities cannot read it without a translation.

Key points to know before picking up at Ottawa Airport:

• A valid foreign driver’s licence is generally accepted in Canada
• If your licence is not in English, bring an IDP alongside your original licence
• The IDP is a translation document only and is invalid without your original licence
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling. It cannot be issued to non-residents once you are abroad
• All documents presented at the Ottawa Airport counter must be physical originals. Digital copies are not accepted

Carrying an IDP at Ottawa Airport is a low-cost precaution that can prevent delays at the counter and complications during any roadside interaction with Canadian authorities.

Most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something goes wrong during your trip from Ottawa Airport.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel and medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage is particularly useful for drivers departing Ottawa Airport into more remote areas of Ontario or Quebec, where access to medical facilities may be limited and legal support after an accident can be difficult to arrange independently.

Important: this travel assistance applies only to non-North American customers. Canadian and US residents do not qualify for this benefit.

To use the assistance, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage limits and conditions that apply to your Ottawa Airport hire.

The insurance included with your hire at Ottawa Airport depends on the rate plan you selected at booking. Here is a summary of the main coverages to understand:

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle itself, including theft and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. In Canada, provincial law requires every vehicle to carry third-party liability, so a statutory minimum is included by default when you hire at Ottawa Airport through Hola Car Rentals. You can purchase higher supplemental limits at the counter if you want additional protection.

What is not covered by either of these:

• Your own personal injuries (covered by PAI if purchased separately)
• Your personal belongings (covered by PEC if purchased separately)
• Damage from prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorised drivers

Review your booking confirmation before arriving at Ottawa Airport to confirm exactly which coverages are included in your rate and what deductible, if any, applies.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire at Ottawa Airport, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

Some Hola Car Rentals rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads Additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, the per-day fees at Ottawa Airport are approximately:

• Avis, Budget, Payless: GBP 10 per day, capped at GBP 50 per rental
• Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar: GBP 11 per day, capped at GBP 154 per rental
• Alamo, National, Enterprise: GBP 13 per day, no stated cap

To add a driver at Ottawa Airport, the additional driver must be physically present at the counter with their own valid driver’s licence and any required IDP. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the agreement is not covered by CDW, LDW, or liability protections.

For Avis, Budget, and Payless at Ottawa Airport, the additional driver must be at least 25 years old at the time of pickup.

Yes, hire cars picked up at Ottawa Airport are subject to several local fees and taxes that may not be fully visible in the base rate shown during your search.

Common charges that apply at Ottawa Airport include:

• Ontario Harmonised Sales Tax (HST) at 13%, applied to the hire total
• Airport concession recovery fees, which cover the hire company's terminal and parkade space costs. These are standard at Canadian airports and are typically embedded in the quoted rate
• Security deposit hold of approximately GBP 150 to GBP 400 on your credit card at pickup, released after return

There are no city-specific hire surcharges, customer facility charges, or tourism levies uniquely applied at Ottawa Airport beyond the standard Ontario HST and airport concession fees.

If your booking confirmation shows Taxes and Fees: Included, you should not be billed separately for those items at the Ottawa Airport counter. If you are charged for something not disclosed on your confirmation, the No Extra Charges© guarantee from Hola Car Rentals allows you to dispute and seek reimbursement after your hire is complete.

Off-airport hire locations in downtown Ottawa typically carry lower base rates because they do not include airport concession fees, though the savings need to be weighed against the time and cost of getting to and from Ottawa Airport.

There are several driving rules and local quirks worth knowing before pulling out of Ottawa Airport.

General Canadian driving rules that apply from the moment you leave Ottawa Airport:

• Drive on the right side of the road, as in the United States and continental Europe
• Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour. The highway limit on routes like Highway 417 is typically 100 km/h
• Mobile radar enforcement is active on Highway 417 ramps near Ottawa Airport. Speed cameras also operate on some downtown one-way streets and can generate fines billed to the hire company and then to your card
• Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants
• Right turns on red are permitted after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it

Route-specific notes from Ottawa Airport:

• Highway 417 (Trans-Canada) connects Ottawa Airport to the city centre and continues west. The exit split to Highway 417 east and west can confuse first-time visitors, so plan your route in advance
• If you drive north from Ottawa Airport toward Gatineau, Quebec, road signs switch to French only. Police stops in Quebec may be conducted in French
• Ontario highways such as the 401 and 416 are toll-free. The only major toll road in Ontario is Highway 407 ETR near Toronto, which is fully cashless and will bill the hire company if you use it

Winter rentals from Ottawa Airport may require winter tyres, which are standard equipment on most Canadian hire fleets during the colder months.