Dollar Car Rental
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 car counter is conveniently located in the Parkade (P1), which is directly across the street from the terminal building on Level 1. A covered walkway provides easy access, protecting you from the elements as you head over to complete your paperwork and pick up your vehicle.

Even late at night, the process is very straightforward as the airport is well-lit and clearly signed. From the arrivals hall, simply look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars." These signs will guide you across the street from the terminal into the main parkade, known as P1. The Dollar counter is situated on the first level of this structure, making it one of the first services you'll encounter once inside.

To ensure a smooth and efficient pickup experience, it's best to have all your necessary information organized beforehand. The primary renter should have their driver's license and reservation confirmation details easily accessible. If you have designated any additional drivers, it is helpful for them to be present with their licenses as well. Having these items ready when you approach the counter will help the agent process your rental agreement swiftly so you can get on the road.

Yes, there are a couple of convenient options for getting settled before you hit the main roads. The airport's cell phone lot is an excellent choice, offering a designated area to park for a few minutes free of charge. This allows you to program your navigation and connect your devices without any pressure. Alternatively, you can find a quiet spot in one of the less-trafficked outer lots or nearby gas stations just off the main airport property.

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

The downtown core, particularly the area known as 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 and west, while Metcalfe Street and O'Connor Street run one-way north and south. It's crucial to rely on your GPS and pay close attention to street signs, as an unplanned turn can require you to circle several blocks to get back on track.

Ottawa's bus-only lanes are clearly marked with painted diamond symbols on the pavement and signs indicating their hours of operation. The key is to stay observant and avoid driving in these lanes. When you need to make a right turn across a bus lane, look for dashed lines that indicate where you are permitted to enter the lane just before your turn. Always double-check signage at intersections, as some turns may be restricted during peak traffic hours.

The ByWard Market's narrow streets can be challenging for stopping. Your best strategy is to check if your hotel has a designated guest check-in or loading zone, which is the safest option. If not, look for short-term paid parking spots or designated 15-minute loading zones on slightly wider streets like George Street or York Street. It's often easiest to have one person stay with the car while the other quickly unloads the luggage.

For a relatively stress-free crossing, the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge is often the best choice for visitors. It's a wide, multi-lane bridge that 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. It provides a direct path to Autoroute 5 in Gatineau, which is the main highway for accessing attractions like Gatineau Park.

During peak seasons like the fall colors in October or on summer weekends, it's wise to allow for significant travel time. To be safe, plan to leave downtown Ottawa at least 75 to 90 minutes before your scheduled entry time. This buffer accounts for potential traffic delays on the bridges, congestion on the parkways within Gatineau, and the time needed to find parking at popular trailheads, which can fill up quickly.

The most common point of confusion occurs after you exit Autoroute 5 in Gatineau and transition onto the local roads leading into Old Chelsea. The turn-offs can be subtle, and some smaller roads may not be clearly marked. It's important to trust your GPS but also watch carefully for the specific signs directing you to Nordik Spa-Nature. The final approach involves navigating smaller, winding roads, so driving attentively is key.

To have a more pleasant driving experience, aim to avoid Montréal's morning and evening rush hours. Plan to leave Ottawa early enough to arrive in Montréal before 7:00 a.m., or delay your departure to arrive after 9:30 a.m. For your return journey, it's best to leave Montréal before 3:00 p.m. or wait until after 6:30 p.m. This strategy helps you miss the heaviest congestion on the bridges and highways surrounding the city.

A good approach is to explore Ottawa's main attractions in the morning when you have the most energy for busier sites like Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market. Then, plan to drive to Kingston in the early afternoon, which is about a two-hour trip. This allows you to arrive in Kingston as the daytime crowds are thinning, making it easier to find parking and enjoy a more relaxed evening exploring its historic waterfront and downtown.

For a very brief stop, you might find limited metered parking on Wellington Street directly in front of the Parliament Buildings, but these spots are in high demand. A more reliable and less stressful option is to use one of the nearby underground parking garages, such as the one at the World Exchange Plaza. From there, it's just a short walk to the Centennial Flame and the main lawn for excellent photo opportunities without the worry of a parking ticket.

Downtown Ottawa often has construction, particularly along major arteries like Queen Street, Albert Street, and Slater Street due to transit projects. The best way to avoid surprises is to use a real-time navigation app like Google Maps or Waze, which will show current lane closures and detours. These apps help you anticipate necessary lane changes well in advance, preventing sudden or unsafe maneuvers as you approach a work zone.

Driving in that area can be quite challenging on weekends and during events, as it's a popular destination with limited road capacity. The streets around the museum and the adjacent Jacques-Cartier Park become very congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. To minimize stress, plan to arrive early in the day to secure a spot in the museum's official underground parking garage and be prepared for slow-moving traffic.

For a beautiful and easy-to-navigate scenic drive, the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is an excellent choice. It runs alongside the iconic Rideau Canal and offers a relaxed pace with plenty of spots to pull over. Another great option is the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, which follows the Ottawa River west of downtown. Both are well-maintained, have clear signage, and generally feature less complex interchanges than the region's major highways.

A comfortable plan involves making Parc Omega your main activity for the day. The drive from Ottawa takes about 90 minutes. Aim to leave the city by mid-morning to arrive with plenty of daylight. You can easily spend three to four hours exploring the park's wildlife route. It's highly recommended to plan your departure from the park to ensure you are back on the main highways before dusk, as the rural roads leading to it are not well-lit.

A great option is the South Keys shopping district, located just a five-minute drive north of the airport via the Airport Parkway. This area has large, easy-access parking lots and numerous family-friendly restaurants and big-box stores. It's an ideal spot to grab a snack, use a restroom, or let the kids stretch their legs without having to navigate any complicated city streets right after your flight.

The most straightforward route completely bypasses the downtown core. From the airport, take Hunt Club Road west until you reach the on-ramp for Highway 416 North. Follow Highway 416 for a short distance until you merge onto Highway 417 West towards Kanata. The Canadian Tire Centre has its own dedicated exit at Palladium Drive, making this a very direct and easy-to-follow path to the arena.

While Lansdowne has its own underground parking, it can be very congested to exit after a major event. A better strategy is to find parking in the surrounding Glebe neighborhood. Look for a public parking garage or available street parking several blocks away, perhaps along Bank Street. The short walk to the venue is often much faster than waiting in a long line of cars to exit the on-site garage.

Main arteries like the Airport Parkway are high-priority routes for snow clearing, so they are generally in good condition. However, during or immediately after a snowfall, conditions can be challenging. At night or in the early morning, be particularly cautious of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses where the temperature can be lower. Always allow extra travel time and drive at a speed that feels safe for the conditions.

Visitors should be extra cautious on the bridges that cross the Ottawa and Rideau rivers, as they tend to freeze faster than roads. Hilly sections in neighborhoods like the Glebe or Westboro can also be slippery and require a slow, steady approach. After a heavy snowfall, accumulated snowbanks can sometimes obscure lane markings, so it's important to be especially vigilant at intersections and on multi-lane roads.

Safety should be your top priority. Before heading out, always check the official provincial road condition reports for Ontario (MTO) and Québec (Québec 511). If conditions are poor, it's wisest to postpone your trip. If you must travel, stick to major highways like the 417 or 416, as they are cleared first. Ensure your vehicle is properly equipped for winter and pack an emergency kit just in case.

Within the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, cell service and GPS navigation are highly reliable. However, as you venture deeper into Gatineau Park, particularly on the northern parkways and more remote trails, cell signals can become weak or non-existent. It is a very good idea to download offline maps of the region to your phone before you go, ensuring you can navigate without a live data connection.

A popular and scenic loop involves crossing into Québec and driving through Gatineau Park first. After exploring the park, you can continue north to the charming town of Wakefield. From there, you can take Highway 105 and cross back into Ontario at Portage-du-Fort. This allows you to return to Ottawa via the more rural roads of the Ottawa Valley, creating a diverse and beautiful circle tour without covering the same ground twice.

In Ottawa, all official road signs are in both English and French, which is very helpful for all visitors. As you approach the bridges into Québec, you will notice signs transitioning to French-only. Key directional words to recognize are "Est" for East, "Ouest" for West, and "Sortie" for Exit. Your GPS will provide clear instructions, but being familiar with these basic terms can add to your confidence when navigating.

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

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

Your best bet is to target a grocery store in one of the suburban shopping centers located between the airport and the city center. The South Keys area, just north of the airport on the Airport Parkway, has several large supermarkets with ample, easy-access parking. This allows you to stock up on supplies conveniently without ever having to navigate the complexities of downtown traffic.

A great route that bypasses the downtown core is to take the Airport Parkway north until it becomes Bronson Avenue. From Bronson, make a left turn to head west on Carling Avenue. Carling is a major, multi-lane road that will take you directly to the vicinity of Hintonburg and Westboro. This path is more straightforward and generally less congested than cutting through the city's central business district.

To secure parking easily, timing is everything. Plan to arrive early in the morning, especially on a sunny weekend, as the dedicated lots at Dow's Lake Pavilion and along the Arboretum's edge fill up quickly. If you arrive later in the day, a good alternative is to look for paid parking in the nearby Glebe or Little Italy neighborhoods and then enjoy a pleasant walk over to the lake and gardens.

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

Ottawa's road markings are standard, but multi-lane roundabouts require attention. The key rule is to yield to all traffic already inside the circle. Before entering, choose your lane based on your exit: use the right lane if you're taking the first or second exit, and the left lane for later exits. Pavement markings with 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's not only a more pleasant drive but can often be a more reliable option during peak rush hour.

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

The airport's cell phone waiting lot is the perfect spot for this. It's located just a minute or two from the main terminal and provides free, short-term parking spaces where you can sort your belongings without being rushed. Alternatively, many of the gas stations located just off airport property offer a convenient place to tidy up the vehicle and do a final luggage check before you proceed to the rental return.

The most efficient method is for the entire group to gather their luggage and wait together inside the arrivals hall. One designated driver should proceed to the Dollar counter to pick up the vehicle. Once the rental process is complete and the driver has the car, they can call the group and drive to the passenger pickup curb on the arrivals level, loading everyone at once and avoiding stressful circling.

During major events, expect significant and widespread road closures throughout the downtown core, especially on streets surrounding Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, and Major's Hill Park. Driving into these zones is often impossible. The best strategy is to park your rental car well outside the designated security perimeter, such as in a garage in Centretown or at a public transit station, and then walk or use the O-Train to access the event areas.

The nearest crossing is at Ogdensburg, NY, about an hour's drive south of Ottawa. When planning your return, be sure to check the official 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 account for potential delays at customs, especially during evenings, weekends, or holidays when traffic is heavier.