Direct Flights from Washington to Ottawa
Nonstop service from DCA to YOW. Here's the schedule at a glance — plus what to do once you land.
About Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southeastern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). As of 2021, Ottawa had a city population of 1,017,449 and a metropolitan population of 1,488,307, making it the fourth-largest city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.
Top things to do in Ottawa
- The National Gallery of Canada, located in the capital city of Ottawa, Ontario, is Canada's national art museum.
- Carleton University is an English-language public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Library and Archives Canada is the federal institution tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the documentary heritage of Canada.
- The Canadian Museum of History is a national museum on anthropology, Canadian history, cultural studies, and ethnology in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
- The Canadian Museum of Nature is a national natural history museum based in Canada's National Capital Region.
- The Canadian War Museum (CWM) is a national museum on the country's military history in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The museum serves as both an educational facility on Canadian military history and a place of remembrance.
- The National War Memorial, titled The Response, is a tall, granite memorial arch with accreted bronze sculptures in Ottawa, Ontario, designed by Vernon March and first dedicated by King George VI in 1939.
- The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada located on 385 Sussex Drive in the Lower Town neighbourhood. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.
- The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is Canada's national aviation history museum. The museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport.
- The Canada Science and Technology Museum is a national museum of science and technology in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The museum has a mandate to preserve and promote the country's scientific and technological heritage.
- The Bank of Canada Museum, formerly known as the Currency Museum.
- The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP) was a gallery of Canadian contemporary art and documentary photography.
Attraction descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA); place data from Wikidata (CC0).
Planning a trip to Ottawa
- Best time to visit
- The best time to visit Ottawa is May–October, when daytime highs are a comfortable 60–80°F.
- How long to stay
- Ottawa rewards a longer visit — a full week lets you explore its many sights, from National Gallery of Canada, Carleton University, and Library and Archives Canada and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a direct flight from Washington to Ottawa?
- Yes — you can fly nonstop from Washington (DCA) to Ottawa (YOW).
- How far is Ottawa from Washington?
- Ottawa is about 453 miles from Washington by air.
- What is there to do in Ottawa?
- Popular things to do include National Gallery of Canada, Carleton University, Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Museum of History, and more.
More nonstop destinations from Washington
Airports near Washington
Willing to drive a bit? These airports are closest to Washington — each opens up more nonstop destinations.