Dollar Car Hire
Ottawa

After collecting your luggage from the domestic arrivals baggage claim, proceed to the main terminal area. Follow the overhead signs for "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Cars." The Dollar rental desk is located in the car park (P1), directly across the road from the terminal building on Level 1. A covered walkway provides easy access, sheltering you from the elements as you complete the paperwork and collect your vehicle.

Even late at night the route is straightforward as the airport is well lit and clearly signposted. From the arrivals hall, look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars." These will guide you across the road from the terminal into the main car park, known as P1. The Dollar desk is on the first level of that structure, making it one of the first services you encounter on entry.

To ensure a smooth and efficient pickup, have all necessary documents organised beforehand. The primary renter should have their driving licence and reservation confirmation easily accessible. If you’ve named additional drivers, it helps if they are present with their licences too. Having these items ready at the counter enables the agent to process the rental agreement quickly so you can get on your way.

Yes — there are a couple of convenient options to get ready before you head onto the main roads. The airport’s phone waiting area (cell phone lot) is an excellent choice: a designated spot where you can park for a few minutes free of charge. This lets you programme your navigation and connect devices without feeling rushed. Alternatively, quieter outer car parks or nearby petrol stations just off airport property also work well.

For a straightforward route, take the Airport Parkway north from the airport. This road becomes Bronson Avenue as you get closer to the city centre. Continue on Bronson then turn right onto a major eastbound street such as Laurier Avenue West or Slater Street. These streets take you directly into the heart of downtown and provide a relatively simple path to the Rideau Centre area while avoiding the most complex interchanges.

The downtown core, particularly Centretown, features a grid of one-way streets that can be tricky for newcomers. Streets like Albert Street and Slater Street run one-way east–west, while Metcalfe Street and O'Connor Street run one-way north–south. Rely on your GPS and watch street signs closely, as an unplanned turn can mean circling several blocks to get back on course.

Ottawa’s bus-only lanes are clearly marked with a painted diamond symbol and signs showing their hours of operation. Stay alert and avoid driving in these lanes. When you need to make a right turn across a bus lane, look for dashed lines indicating where you may enter the lane just before your turn. Always double-check junction signage, as some turns are restricted during peak times.

The narrow streets of ByWard Market can be challenging for stopping. First check whether your hotel has a designated guest check-in or loading zone — that’s the safest option. If not, look for short-term paid parking or 15-minute loading bays on slightly wider streets such as George Street or York Street. Often it works best for one person to stay with the car while another unloads quickly.

For a relatively stress-free crossing, the Macdonald–Cartier Bridge is often the best choice. It’s wide and multi-lane and connects directly from major Ottawa arteries like King Edward Avenue and Sussex Drive. This route generally has clearer signage and less complex merging than some of the older, narrower bridges, and leads directly to Autoroute 5 in Gatineau.

During peak periods such as the fall colour season in October or summer weekends, allow plenty of time. Plan to leave downtown at least 75 to 90 minutes before your scheduled entry. This buffer covers possible delays on the bridges, congestion on parkways within Gatineau, and the time needed to find parking at popular trailheads.

The common point of confusion comes after you leave Autoroute 5 in Gatineau and move onto the local roads into Old Chelsea. Turn-offs can be subtle and some smaller roads are not clearly signed. Trust your GPS but also watch for the specific signs to Nordik Spa–Nature; the final approach involves smaller, winding roads, so stay attentive.

To improve your driving experience, avoid Montréal’s morning and evening rush hours. Aim to leave Ottawa early enough to arrive in Montréal before 07:00, or delay departure until you’ll arrive after 09:30. For the return, it’s best to leave before 15:00 or wait until after 18:30. This helps you miss the heaviest congestion on the bridges and surrounding highways.

A sound approach is to see Ottawa’s main sights in the morning when you have the most energy for busier spots like Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market. Then drive to Kingston in the early afternoon — about a two-hour trip. Arriving in Kingston as daytime crowds thin makes it easier to find parking and enjoy a more relaxed evening exploring the waterfront and downtown.

For a very brief stop you may find limited metered parking on Wellington Street directly in front of the Parliament Buildings, but these spaces are in high demand. A more reliable option is an underground car park nearby, such as the one at World Exchange Plaza. From there it’s a short walk to the Centennial Flame and the main lawn for good photo opportunities without worrying about tickets.

Downtown Ottawa frequently has construction, particularly on main arteries like Queen Street, Albert Street and Slater Street because of transit projects. Use a real-time navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze — these show current lane closures and detours. They help you anticipate lane changes in plenty of time and avoid sudden or unsafe manoeuvres near work zones.

Driving there can be quite challenging at weekends and during events, because it’s a popular destination with limited road capacity. The streets around the museum and Jacques-Cartier Park become very congested with both vehicles and pedestrians. To reduce stress, arrive early to secure a spot in the museum’s underground car park and expect slow-moving traffic.

For a pleasant and easy-to-navigate scenic drive, the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is an excellent choice — it runs beside the Rideau Canal and offers a relaxed pace with plenty of pull-in spots. Another good option is the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, which follows the Ottawa River to the west of downtown. Both are well maintained, clearly signposted and generally have fewer complex interchanges than the major highways.

Make Parc Omega your main activity for the day. The drive from Ottawa is about 90 minutes. Leave the city by mid-morning to arrive with plenty of daylight; allow three to four hours to explore the park’s wildlife route. Plan to depart the park well before dusk, as the rural roads leading to it are not well lit.

A great option is the South Keys shopping district, just a five-minute drive north of the airport via the Airport Parkway. It has large, easy-access car parks and many family-friendly restaurants and big-box stores. It’s ideal for a snack, restroom break or letting kids stretch their legs without negotiating complicated city streets straight after your flight.

The simplest route bypasses the city centre entirely. From the airport take Hunt Club Road west until the on-ramp for Highway 416 North. Follow Highway 416 briefly, then merge onto Highway 417 West towards Kanata. The Canadian Tire Centre has a dedicated exit at Palladium Drive, making this a very direct and easy-to-follow route to the arena.

Although Lansdowne has an underground car park, exiting after a major event can be very congested. A better plan is to park in the surrounding Glebe neighbourhood. Look for a public car park or street parking a few blocks away, perhaps along Bank Street. The short walk to the venue is often much quicker than waiting in a long line to exit the on-site garage.

Main routes like the Airport Parkway are high priority for snow clearance, so they’re generally in good condition. However, during or immediately after snowfall conditions can be challenging. At night or early morning be especially cautious of black ice, particularly on bridges and overpasses where temperatures can be lower. Allow extra travel time and drive at a speed appropriate for the conditions.

Visitors should be particularly careful on bridges over the Ottawa and Rideau rivers, which tend to freeze faster than roads. Hilly sections in neighbourhoods such as the Glebe or Westboro can also be slippery and require a slow, steady approach. After heavy snowfall, snowbanks can obscure lane markings, so be especially vigilant at junctions and on multi-lane roads.

Safety is the priority. Before you set off check the official provincial road condition reports for Ontario (MTO) and Québec (Québec 511). If conditions are poor, postpone your trip. If you must travel, stick to major highways like the 417 or 416, which are cleared first. Ensure the vehicle is winter-equipped and carry an emergency kit.

In Ottawa and Gatineau, mobile coverage and GPS navigation are highly reliable. However, as you venture deeper into Gatineau Park, particularly on the northern parkways and remote trails, signals can become weak or non-existent. It’s a good idea to download offline maps of the area to your phone before you go to ensure navigation without a live data connection.

A popular scenic loop is to cross into Québec and drive through Gatineau Park first. After exploring the park, continue north to the charming town of Wakefield. From there take Highway 105 and cross back into Ontario at Portage-du-Fort. This returns you to Ottawa via the rural roads of the Ottawa Valley, creating a diverse circuit without retracing your route.

In Ottawa, official road signs are in both English and French, which helps visitors. As you approach bridges into Québec you’ll notice signage transition to French-only. Key words to recognise include "Est" for East, "Ouest" for West and "Sortie" for Exit. Your GPS will give clear directions, but knowing these basic terms can boost your confidence when navigating.

For a hassle-free first stop head to the commercial areas along Hunt Club Road or the South Keys Shopping Centre, both just minutes from the airport. These areas are designed for easy car access, with large open car parks and a wide selection of casual restaurants. You can enjoy a meal without the stress of navigating downtown streets or searching for tight parking right after your flight.

The key is to prepare your approach. Use your navigation app to review the final few turns before you start driving. Aim to get into the correct lane one or two blocks before your hotel’s street. If you miss the turn or entrance, don’t panic; simply continue around the block. Downtown blocks are relatively small, so it’s easy to circle back for a second attempt.

Target a supermarket in a suburban shopping centre between the airport and the city centre. The South Keys area, just north of the airport on the Airport Parkway, has several large supermarkets with ample, easy-access parking. This lets you stock up conveniently without having to navigate downtown traffic.

A good route that bypasses the centre is to take the Airport Parkway north until it becomes Bronson Avenue. From Bronson turn left to head west on Carling Avenue. Carling is a major multi-lane road that takes you directly towards Hintonburg and Westboro. This route is generally more straightforward and less congested than cutting through the central business district.

Timing matters: arrive early in the morning, especially on a sunny weekend, as the dedicated lots at Dow’s Lake Pavilion and along the Arboretum fill fast. If you arrive later, a good alternative is paid parking in the nearby Glebe or Little Italy neighbourhoods and then enjoy a pleasant walk over to the lake and gardens.

For classic Parliament Hill sunrise shots consider parking on the Gatineau side near the Canadian Museum of History. At that early hour the museum lots or nearby street parking are typically empty. Another option is to drive along the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway in Ottawa, which has several lookout points with small parking areas suitable for a quick, quiet stop.

Multi-lane roundabouts require attention. Yield to traffic already in the circle. Before entering choose your lane based on your exit: use the right lane for the first or second exit and the left lane for later exits. Pavement arrows will help guide you, so look ahead and select your lane early.

To avoid the heaviest morning congestion on main roads like Bronson Avenue, consider taking the scenic Queen Elizabeth Driveway south along the Rideau Canal. This route often has a smoother, more consistent traffic flow and leads you directly towards the airport area. It can be a more pleasant and reliable option during peak rush hour.

As you approach the airport on the Airport Parkway, move into the right-hand lanes. You’ll see signs for "Arrivals" and "Departures," but look specifically for "Rental Car Return." Those signs will direct you to a dedicated entrance to the car park where the rental facilities are located, keeping you separate from passenger drop-off and pick-up loops.

The airport’s phone waiting area (cell phone lot) is ideal. It’s a minute or two from the main terminal and provides free short-term parking where you can sort your belongings without feeling rushed. Alternatively, many petrol stations just off airport property offer convenient spots to tidy the vehicle and do a final luggage check before proceeding to the rental return.

The most efficient method is for the whole group to collect luggage and wait together inside the arrivals hall. One designated driver should go to the Dollar desk to pick up the vehicle. Once the rental is complete and the car is ready, the driver can call the group and drive to the passenger pickup curb on the arrivals level, loading everyone at once and avoiding circling.

Expect significant, widespread road closures throughout the downtown core for major events, especially around Parliament Hill, ByWard Market and Major’s Hill Park. Driving into these zones is often impossible. Park your rental well outside the designated security perimeter — for example in a garage in Centretown or at a public transport station — then walk or use the O-Train to access event areas.

The nearest crossing is at Ogdensburg, NY, about an hour’s drive south of Ottawa. Check the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website for current border wait times, which can vary significantly. It’s wise to build an extra hour or more into your schedule to allow for potential delays at customs, especially in the evenings, at weekends or on holidays when traffic is heavier.