Travelling from Brussels to Ottawa: what you need to know
Brussels is home to two main airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Brussels to Ottawa departing from Brussels Airport (BRU) or Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL).
Come in for landing at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), the chief entry point to Ottawa.
The timezone in Ottawa is UTC-4, which is five hours behind Brussels.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your Brussels to Ottawa flight.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Brussels to Ottawa
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Brussels to Ottawa flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Brussels to Ottawa.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Brussels to Ottawa is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Brussels to Ottawa flights.
Flying from Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your Brussels to Ottawa flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Brussels Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
The journey from central Brussels to BRU takes about 40 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a handy hotel close to Brussels Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Brussels to Ottawa, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
Of the flights that depart from Brussels Airport, 71.97% land on schedule at their destination.
Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Brussels to CRL in around 1 hour 35 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Brussels to Ottawa? Kick back in a hotel near Brussels S. Charleroi Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Brussels S. Charleroi Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 72%.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
The distance from Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) to central Ottawa is approximately 14 kilometres. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Brussels to Ottawa. Book one of these accommodation options near YND instead:
Venture beyond Ottawa and explore places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can pick up an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car from Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Ottawa Gatineau Airport at least a few weeks in advance to secure the best deal. If you're travelling during a peak period, it's wise to book your Brussels to Ottawa flight even earlier.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
As soon as your flight from Brussels to Ottawa has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Ottawa is approximately 11 kilometres from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget make collecting an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car quick and easy. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from YOW two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Plan your trip to Brussels during the high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Brussels to Brussels in the low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
The warmest month in Ottawa is July, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Brussels to Ottawa ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF). Search for cheap flights from Brussels to Ottawa around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Ottawa
Start your Ottawa trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Brussels to Ottawa, browse our range of accommodation options including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are must-visits when exploring Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
You've done Ottawa, now it's time to discover more of Canada. Journey about 354 kilometres south-west to Toronto to tick off its leading attractions. From CN Tower to Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Montreal is another favourite destination in Canada and is around 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. No journey is complete without experiencing Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.