Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ottawa: what you need to know
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Following the UTC-4 timezone, Ottawa is three hours ahead of San Francisco.
For a relaxed start to your SFO to Ottawa flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for plane tickets from SFO to Ottawa, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
SFO is around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near SFO. Whether you have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa or just don't like being rushed, these hotels put convenience first:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, data shows 77.36% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ottawa
109 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa flight. A return ticket right now is 261 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To pick up cheap flights from SFO to Ottawa, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer lower fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa across each month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from SFO to Ottawa by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) is around 24 kilometres from central Ottawa. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa? Pick up your bags and head straight to the convenience of a nearby hotel. Two options close to YND are Meilleure Auberge and Lovely Room 4mins From Gatineau-Ottawa Airport.
Start your adventure the moment you land with an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Ottawa that most tourists miss.
To secure the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Ottawa Gatineau Airport a few weeks ahead of your flight from SFO to Ottawa. Prices typically go up closer to your date of travel.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is roughly 13 kilometres from the centre of Ottawa. After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa, it'll take you around 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 45 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near YOW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your SFO to Ottawa flight at one of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Grab an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the rates and availability from Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget.
Score the best price by booking your ride from YOW two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport at 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Before you book your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Ottawa offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the off-season means you'll get better hotel deals and fewer crowds.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa plane ticket with a departure in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 13ºC (55ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SFO to Ottawa around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Ottawa
Start your Ottawa trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill and National Gallery of Canada are must-do's during your Ottawa adventure.
Explore more of Canada
You've seen Ottawa, now it's time to discover other parts of Canada. Journey around 354 kilometres south-west to Toronto to check off its leading sights. From CN Tower to Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District, your itinerary will be busy.
Montreal is another must-experience destination in Canada and is around 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. No trip is complete without seeing Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.