Compare weekly parking rates near Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport from $49/week.
If you are flying out of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) for a week or more, parking costs add up quickly. The airport authority's on-site Economy lot charges $20-28 per day, which works out to $140-196 for a full 7-day trip. Off-airport partner lots along the Hunt Club Road corridor start from just $7/day for outdoor parking, bringing your weekly bill to as little as $49. Understanding the full range of weekly pricing helps you choose the right option for your budget, vehicle, and travel season.
The Ottawa Airport Authority manages all on-site parking at YOW. Their Economy lot charges $20-28/day, while premium covered lots run $30-38/day. By contrast, off-airport lots in the Hunt Club Road and Lester Road area start from $7/day for outdoor parking, bringing a full week to just $49. Covered off-airport options run $12-18/day, or $84-126/week -- still well below on-site economy rates.
The math is straightforward: for a standard 7-day trip, switching to an off-airport outdoor lot saves you $91 to $147 per trip. For frequent business travellers on the Ottawa-Toronto or Ottawa-Montreal shuttle routes -- who may fly weekly -- even a couple of days of parking savings per trip adds up to hundreds of dollars per year. Government and diplomatic travellers, who make up a large share of YOW's passenger base, find that off-airport rates fit comfortably within NJC travel directive per-diem limits.
Outdoor surface lots are the most affordable at $7-12/day ($49-84/week). These are open-air lots with security cameras, lighting, and regular patrols. Covered parking -- either roofed structures or carports -- runs $12-18/day ($84-126/week), offering protection from Ottawa's heavy snowfall and ice storms. Fully enclosed indoor garages near YOW cost $18-24/day ($126-168/week) and provide the highest level of weather and security protection. All lot types include free shuttle service to the terminal.
Most off-airport lots near YOW price by vehicle category. A standard sedan or compact car gets the base rate. SUVs and crossovers typically add $1-2/day to the base rate, making a weekly stay $56-98 depending on lot type. Full-size trucks and vans are the most expensive category, adding $2-4/day -- expect $63-112/week for outdoor spots. Motorcycles often receive a discount of $1-2/day below the car rate. When comparing weekly rates, always select your actual vehicle type to see accurate pricing.
Ottawa sits at the confluence of the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau Rivers, creating a microclimate prone to significant temperature extremes. Summer weeks are warm and pleasant, with outdoor parking perfectly adequate. But winter weeks at YOW are another matter entirely. From November through March, Ottawa experiences average daily lows of -12C to -18C, with wind chill values regularly reaching -25C to -35C. The Ottawa Valley also receives approximately 220 cm of snow per season, along with occasional ice storms that can coat vehicles in thick ice.
For week-long winter trips, covered parking at $84-126/week is often worth the upgrade. Returning to a snow-covered, ice-encased car after a week-long business trip or vacation is unpleasant at best and dangerous at worst. Frozen locks, dead batteries from extreme cold, and visibility-obscuring ice on windshields are all real risks. A covered spot eliminates these headaches and still saves you $14-112 per week compared to on-site rates.
Travellers from Gatineau, Hull, and the Quebec side should factor in the Airport Parkway access route when comparing transit vs. parking costs. Rather than navigating interprovincial bridges and downtown Ottawa traffic, the Parkway provides a direct, uncongested route from Highway 417 to YOW. Off-airport lots along Hunt Club are just minutes from the Parkway exit, making the drive simpler and faster than any transit alternative.
Finally, consider the total cost of your trip to the airport. Off-airport lots include free shuttle service, and the shuttle ride from Hunt Club Road to the terminal takes only 5-10 minutes. Compare this to OC Transpo Route 97 ($3.75/person each way) or a taxi/rideshare ($25-40 each way from central Ottawa). For families or groups, off-airport parking at $49-84/week is almost always the cheapest and most convenient option.
By Pericles Voutsinas, Founder & CEO — Last updated: April 17, 2026
| Duration | Off-Airport Outdoor | Off-Airport Covered | On-Site Economy | On-Site Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | $35–60 | $60–90 | $100–140 | $150–190 |
| 7 days | $49–84 | $84–126 | $140–196 | $210–266 |
| 10 days | $70–120 | $120–180 | $200–280 | $300–380 |
| 14 days | $98–168 | $168–252 | $280–392 | $420–532 |
Rates are approximate and based on standard sedan pricing. SUV/truck rates may be $1–4/day higher. Prices in CAD.
Lots near YOW rarely sell out, but booking early guarantees availability during peak periods like March Break, Winterlude, and the December holidays. Early booking also locks in the current rate before any seasonal adjustments.
Between May and October, outdoor parking at $7-12/day is the best value. Ottawa summers are warm and sunny, and your car will be perfectly fine in an open lot. Save the covered premium for winter months when snow, ice, and extreme cold are genuine concerns.
If you own both a sedan and an SUV, consider which one to park at YOW. At $1-2/day difference, a full week in a compact car saves $7-14. For truck owners, the gap is even wider. Select your vehicle type in the search form for accurate weekly totals.
All MyAirportParking reservations include free cancellation before your check-in date. Book now at the current weekly rate, and if your plans change -- common for government travellers whose meetings get rescheduled -- cancel at no cost. Your 15% deposit is fully refundable.
The longer your car sits during an Ottawa winter, the more exposure matters. For trips of 10 days or more between November and March, the $5-8/day covered premium pays for itself. No snow removal, no frozen locks, no dead battery surprises when you return.