Car hire prices at Ottawa Airport

A good price at Ottawa Airport for an October 2026 trip is around £49 a day for a Compact car like a Nissan Versa, booked about a month ahead. An Economy car such as a Kia Rio costs around £48 a day, while an Intermediate like a Kia Forte is about £54. In the last 2 weeks before pickup, that Compact drops to £42 a day. Across the year, prices swing from £48 a day in November 2026 for an Economy up to £127 in August 2027 for a Fullsize, so check the price checker for your exact travel dates.

For October 2026 at Ottawa Airport, booking late saves money: an Intermediate car averages £54 a day booked a month ahead, falling to £47 in the last 2 weeks. Across the year, booking 9 months ahead averages £105 a day compared to £58 2 weeks before travel, so you have not missed out by waiting. Across the 395 airports we track car hire prices for, 48% of our customers book within 14 days of travel. If you travel in August 2027, daily rates reach £127 compared to £48 in November 2026.

Europcar is the cheapest company at Ottawa Airport, averaging £42 a day over the last 12 months for an Intermediate car, but it does not yet have enough reviews for a score. Budget averages £55 a day from 616 prices and scores 84/100 from customer reviews. Europcar requires a credit card and holds a £532 deposit, whereas Budget holds £266. All 5 rental companies have desks located directly at the terminal.

The cheapest company can cost you a longer queue or a bigger deposit, so check the review score and desk wait beside each car in the results before you book.

Alamo is the best-reviewed company at Ottawa Airport, scoring 93/100 from 60 reviews, with an average desk wait of 26 minutes. Alamo averages £64 a day over the last 12 months from 3,233 prices. Europcar is cheaper at £42 a day, but Europcar does not yet have enough reviews for a score. Budget provides a balance with an 84/100 score from 8 reviews and a 14-minute wait at £55 a day.

Review scores are CarTrawler customers' own, from the last five months; the score and the desk wait sit beside each car in the results.

At Ottawa Airport, deposits held on your card range from £266 with Alamo and Budget up to £532 with Europcar, and 2 of the 5 desks take a debit card. National and Alamo accept debit cards, while the other 3 desks require a credit card in the lead driver's name. Filter for a debit card on the results page before comparing prices so you only see desks that accept your card. Any optional extras charged at the desk are listed under each vehicle.

If you bring your own child seat, check your airline's rules first: most carry one free, some charge.

Debit card rules and long desk queues cause the main problems for car hire at Ottawa Airport. 3 of the 5 counters require a credit card for the deposit, so checking the payment terms before you fly avoids being turned away. Desk waits average 35 minutes at National and 26 minutes at Alamo and Avis. All 5 suppliers operate inside the terminal, so you can walk straight to the desk without waiting for a shuttle bus.

Only 53% of prices at Ottawa Airport are full tank out, full tank back, so read the fuel line under the car before you book.

For up to 5 passengers, pick a Compact car like a Nissan Versa at Ottawa Airport, costing around £49 a day in October 2026. A Compact seats 5 passengers but fits only 3 bags, meaning a full party might need luggage on laps. An Intermediate like a Kia Forte costs £54 a day and accommodates 4 bags, while an Economy Kia Rio saves little at £48 but fits only 1 bag. 100% of cars offered are automatic, so city driving is straightforward without paying a supplement.