Ottawa Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: Double-Decker Bus Sightseeing

See Ottawa's museums and monuments from a double-decker bus, stopping where you want to linger.

This hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of Ottawa runs a fixed route with stops at the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rideau Hall, ByWard Market, and the Ottawa Sign, among others. A professional driver and live guide in English or French narrate the route aboard a double-decker bus or trolley. You board at the main kiosk at Parliament and can get off and rejoin at any stop. The pace is yours to set. Hotel pickup is available before 9:30–9:45 a.m. for an additional $5 payable to the driver, with 24 hours' notice required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ottawa city hop-on hop-off tour

• Start at main kiosk on Sparks St
• Pass by Nature Museum
• Pass by Ottawa BlackJacks home
• Pass different stop during Tulip Festival
• Pass no stop during Tulip Festival
• Stop at Ottawa Sign on York Street
• Pass by Rideau Hall
• Pass by RCMP Stables
• Pass by Aviation and Space Museum
• Pass by Art Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Pass by Museum of History
• Pass by War Museum
• Pass by Rideau Canal and National Arts Centre
• Return to main kiosk

The experience

Start at the main kiosk at the corner of Elgin and Sparks, across from Parliament of Canada. The double-decker bus or trolley departs on a set route that covers the city's major attractions. You stay on board for the full loop if you want an overview, or step off at any stop and catch the next bus when you're ready to move on. The guide provides live commentary in English or French throughout the ride, so you get the context for what you're passing without needing to research it beforehand.

The route passes the Canadian Museum of Nature, Rideau Hall (the Governor General's residence), the RCMP Stables, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. It also stops at ByWard Market near the Ottawa Sign at York Street, where you can browse the market stalls and grab food. The bus swings past the National Gallery of Canada, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and the Royal Canadian Mint, then continues to the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum. You'll also see the National Arts Centre, the National War Memorial, and Rideau Canal along the way. A stop at TD Place marks the home of the Ottawa Redblacks if sports matter to your visit.

The whole loop takes roughly 90 minutes if you ride straight through, but that's not the point. The hop-on hop-off format means you're not locked into a schedule. Spend an hour at a museum, rejoin the bus later, or skip stops that don't interest you. Local taxes and transport are included. The driver and guide are professionals. The buses are wheelchair accessible, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. If you need a hotel pickup before 9:30–9:45 a.m., contact the supplier at least 24 hours ahead. The pickup fee is $5, paid to the driver when they arrive.

What’s included

• Transport by double-decker bus or trolley.
• professional driver and guide providing live commentary in English or French.
• local taxes.
• wheelchair-accessible vehicles and stops.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (19 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideSpanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Grayline Ottawa

Is this one for you?The 90-minute loop is designed to give you an overview without eating the whole day. You can ride the full route and still have afternoon hours free to explore on foot, or hop off at one or two stops and spend as long as you want there.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 18 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What museums does the Ottawa hop-on hop-off tour actually stop at?

The tour stops at the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and Canadian Museum of Nature. It also passes the Royal Canadian Mint and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, though those are viewable from the bus rather than dedicated stops.

Can I get off the bus and rejoin it later on the same ticket?

Yes. The hop-on hop-off format lets you board at any stop, get off to explore, and catch the next bus when you're ready to continue. You're not locked into a single departure time or a full loop.

What is the ByWard Market stop like, and can I spend time there?

ByWard Market is a working public market with shops, restaurants and stalls. The bus stops at the Ottawa Sign location on York Street, and you can hop off to browse and eat as long as you want. Just catch the next bus when you're ready to move on.

Does the tour include entry to the museums?

No. The tour includes transport and the guide's commentary, but admission to the museums, attractions and sites is separate. You pay entry fees directly at each venue if you choose to go inside.

Is hotel pickup available, and what does it cost?

Hotel pickup is available before 9:30–9:45 a.m. if you contact the supplier at least 24 hours before your reservation. The pickup fee is $5, payable to the driver when they arrive.