Transit in Ottawa

Ottawa's public transit system is run by OC Transpo.

Simplified O-Train map

Fare#

$4.10 per ride (plus at least 90 minutes of transfer time)

How to pay#

Place one of these cards on the green pad:

• MasterCard/Visa credit card
• Presto card with money loaded

Credit cards#

You can pay with MasterCard and Visa credit cards.

Fare cap: maximum $12.25 per day

After that, all rides are free for the rest of the day!

Presto#

Ottawa uses the Presto transit card, which is also used in many other cities in Ontario.

You can buy one for $4 at:

• vending machines in O-Train stations
• OC Transpo customer service office, Rideau Centre floor 3
• most Shoppers Drug Marts

Then load it with money at that location.

Which to use?#

• For least hassle: use a credit card
• For a souvenir: buy a Presto card to keep as a souvenir and use a credit card anyway

It's probably not practical for you to actually use a Presto card given that you also have to load it with money. But maybe that might reduce the pain of your credit card's currency conversion fee?