Search Flights from San Francisco to Ottawa

Approximate Travel Distance
Approximate Flight Duration
Popular Airlines
Popular Airport
2436 Miles
4 hour 50 min
Gatineau Ottawa Executive Airport

Cheapest San Francisco Ottawa Flight Tickets

08 Dec 2024
from $5823
03 Dec 2024
from $11959

Transportation to San Francisco Airport from the City Center

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Last Updated: 10 Jun 2019

Transportation to Ottawa City Center from Airport

Gatineau Ottawa Executive Airport

In Ottawa, buses are very important in terms of public transportation. It is possible to reach almost every part of the city by bus. You can buy your ticket in cash after getting on the bus. You can also buy your ticket from one of the ticket offices or use Presto Card.

If you will stay in the city for a long time, using a Presto Card is both budget-friendly and practical. You can buy this card by paying 6 dollars. You can load money on your card online or from one of the ticket offices.

If you pay cash, you will need to pay a higher amount. For example, while one-way ticket price is 2 dollars per adult, it is 2.84 dollars for Presto Card holders and 3.55 dollars for cash payment. Children under 5 can travel for free. Passengers over 65 and children between 6-12 can benefit from reduced tariff. Daily ticket price is 8.30 dollars. Monthly ticket price is 103.25 dollars per adult and 82.25 dollars for children between 13-19.

Another public transportation alternative in Ottawa is O Train. O Train, which is a light rail train system, offers service on two routes. One of them is between Blair and Tunney’s Pasture, the other is between Bayview and Greenboro. You can buy your ticket from the machines at the stations. You cannot get on O Train with your ticket bus. However, you can use both bus and O Train including the express lines with the daily DayPass ticket that you can buy by paying 8.30 dollars.

You can buy your DayPass ticket from the bus driver or machines at O Train stations. The use of bicycles is very common in Ottawa. Thanks to approximately 200 kilometers long bicycle roads spreading over the majority of the city, you can comfortably and safely get on a bicycle.

In the city, there are many self-service bicycle rental points. You can rent a bicycle for an affordable amount by using your credit card and end your rental process by delivering your bicycle at one of these points anytime you want. A fair amount of provision is added to your credit card in order to prevent any possible theft or damage.

Taxi is also a means of transportation that you can easily find in the city of Ottawa. All taxis are equipped with a taximeter and a standard fare is applied in all taxis. Taxi fares are higher at late hours. You can rent a car or motorcycle from one of the car rental companies located in the city center or at the airport during your stay in Ottawa.

If you rent a car, you can comfortably and quickly visit the nearby cities and towns in addition to travelling in the city. Traffic is not very heavy in the city and drivers are very careful about the traffic rules. However, you shouldn’t forget that you need to have an international driver’s license in order to rent a car abroad.

If your driver's license isn’t suitable for international use, you can rent a car with a driver. Ottawa Municipal Airport, which is located in Ottawa, is 4 miles south of the city and offers service for small private jets and airplanes. While Ottawa Rockcliffe Airport was used as a military base until 1994, it is currently home to the Ottawa Aviation Museum.

Domestic and international flights of the city are performed from Macdonald - Cartier International Airport. You need to transfer by getting on a bus if you want to reach the city center from Macdonald - Cartier International Airport by using a means of public transportation. For an easier and quicker transportation, you can get on a taxi. If you wish, you can rent a car at the airport. In addition, airport private shuttles carry passengers to the city center. You can find all of the licensed transportation vehicles in front of the “Arrivals” terminal.

You can get information about the transportation alternatives by visiting the “Ground Transportation” desk located on the first floor of the “Arrivals” terminal.

Bus

You can reach the transfer center where you can change busses or get on the O Train by using the bus route 97. The bus route 97 operates as an express route and ticket price is 4.28 dollars for Presto Card holders. If you will pay cash, this price is 5 dollars. If you buy ticket, this price is 3 dollars. Travelling from the airport to the city center by bus or O Train lasts about 1 hour including transfers.

Taxi

You can see the taxis waiting for their passengers in front of the “Arrivals” terminal of the airport. Travelling to the city center from the airport by taxi lasts about 20 minutes.

Car Rental

At Macdonald - Cartier International Airport, there are many car rental offices of many companies such as Hertz, Avis and Budget. You can save time by completing your rental process online before your travel. You need to cover a distance of about 15 kilometers in order to reach the city center. You can reach the city center in about 25 minutes by driving through the highway 79N.

Hotel Shuttle

Some accommodation centers in the city center offer airport shuttle service for their guests. You can get in contact with your hotel in advance to learn whether they offer this service and if they do, you can make a reservation by giving your flight information.

Shuttle

You can use the shuttles of Yow Airporter Shuttle company in order to reach Ottawa city center from Macdonald - Cartier International Airport. These shuttles offer service as limousines or buses. If you wish, you can make a reservation in advance.

Last Updated: 25 May 2018

Ottawa Macdonald - Cartier Intl. - Macdonald Cartier Intl. Airport

Taxis can be easily found at any point of the day to take to the center of Ottawa, Canada's capital city, from Ottawa International Airport. If you prefer rental cars to reach the city in province of Ontario, there are many rental options at the airport terminal. You can also use shared car services such as UBER. Shared car services have the same comfort and convenience of taxis, as well as being more affordable.

Taxi

Taxis at Ottawa International Airport are one of the best options as they are comfortable and give you the freedom to travel whenever you want without being dependent on public transport times. The distance between the airport and the center of the city isn’t that far so you can take a taxi from the airport without paying too much. If you prefer a more economic option then you can also take an UBER or public transport. Before getting into the taxi you can get some idea of how much the journey will cost by telling the taxi driver your destination. However, you should keep in mind that this fee is only an estimate, and you should keep in mind that the taxi fare may increase further depending on factors such as road conditions and traffic. You can also make reservations for more passenger services or luxury vehicles by calling (905) 468-7727.

Limousine Rental

You can choose to get to Ottawa city center in a more private and privileged way from the airport by renting a limousine. You can make reservations for limousines almost every hour of the day. If you complete your pre-limousine reservation in advance, you can be picked up without losing time and dropped off in Ottawa center. If you decide to rent a limousine in the last minute, you can go to the consultation desk at Ottawa International Airport to get some guidance.

Ambulance Services

You can use ambulance type patient services when you want to come to the city center hospital from the airport. Ambulance services take their passengers from airport terminal gates and take them directly to the hospital in the center. You can contact 1-866-561-7787 to make a reservation or find out more information about ambulance services,

Public transport

You have the opportunity to travel from Ottawa International Airport to the center using public transport for most of the day. By taking the buses that leave in front of the terminal to the metro and train stations, you can quite quickly access many places in and around Ottawa. You can get information about bus tickets from the airport advisors or bus drivers.

UBER

UBER, one of the next generation transportation systems, is often used in Ottawa to get from the airport to the city center. You can call your car to the terminal with the help of the app that you download to your phone. UBER vehicles are among the best alternatives you can choose for a comfortable and fast journey in Ottawa. They usually wait at a certain point at the terminal exit. If you do not see your vehicle when you leave the airport, you can get information by communicating with the driver through the application. With UBER vehicles, the average fare of the journey from airport to Ottawa city center starts at $ 22. If you travel to Hintonburg you can travel at 19 dollars, 22 dollars towards Byward Market and 16 dollars to Carleton University with these cars. Before you get in the car, talk to the UBER drivers and find out how much you will pay for the average fare. With UberX vehicles you can travel with a cheaper fare, and if you’re travelling with a more crowded group of up to 6 people then you can make use UberXL and enjoy an easy and pleasant journey.

Rent a car

You also have the opportunity to rent a car from Ottawa International Airport to the offices of companies such as Alamo, Budget, AVIS, Entreprise, National and Hertz. Remember to prepare your documents in advance, such as your passport and international driver's license. If you want to rent your car from Alamo, you can make a car reservation before you arrive at the airport by calling 613-737-7023. Or do the same by calling 613-739-3334 for AVIS, 613-521-4844 for Budget, 613-248-0005 for Enterprise, 613-737-7023 for National and 613-521-3332 for Hertz. You can also make reservations in advance via the Internet for all of these companies.

Last Updated: 29 May 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wingie offer the cheapest San Francisco-Ottawa flights?

When you search for San Francisco-Ottawa flights, Wingie directly gathers and compares instant data from all airlines. You can see all San Francisco-Ottawa flights together for the date you are looking for and choose the most suitable flight.

Which airports can I use for San Francisco-Ottawa flights?

For San Francisco-Ottawa flights, you can use Embarkader Airport, San Francisco Intl. Airport as departure airport, and Gatineau Ottawa Executive Airport, Ottawa Macdonald - Cartier Intl. - Macdonald Cartier Intl. Airport, Ottawa Railway Station, Rockcliffe Airport for arrival.

How many kilometers is the flight distance from San Francisco-Ottawa and how long does the flight take?

The flight distance between San Francisco-Ottawa is 3919 kilometers in total. The flight between the two cities takes 4 hour 50 minutes.

Which day is the most convenient for San Francisco-Ottawa flights?

When the average prices are examined, the most suitable day for San Francisco-Ottawa flights is Monday.

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