Ottawa to Quebec?

Question

I have to go to Ottawa on business for 3 days and wanted to use a day or two on the back end to see Montreal.

How far is Montreal from Ottawa?

What's the best way to get there?

Which is better to see? Ottawa or Montreal?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I have no love lost for either of the cities BUT I'd rather visit Ottawa than Montreal even though Ottawa is known as the city fun forgot there are lots to see and do for everyone, clubs, museums, art galleries and all round general sight seeing.

If you are going to Montreal be sure to fill up before you leave Ontario it will save you about $0.10 per litre. Also don't tell your rental car agency that you left the province if you put on a lot of Kilometers.  

To get to Montreal get on the Queensway (aka 417) headed east.  You will come to a fork in the road you want to be in the slow lanes just past the baseball park follow the signs to Cornwall, Montreal this should be the 417.  At the Quebec border the highway changes to the 40 this will take you into Monteal and where you go after that is up to you.

Good luck and safe home

Answer 2

You can make it to Montreal in under 2 hours.

To get to Montreal you head east on the Queensway. When you get to the split most people will tell you to go right including the signs. I've gone that way and it takes longer. Stay left on the Queensway and you'll take the 17 all the way to Montreal.

It depends on what you are interested in. I prefer Montreal to Ottawa. Better shopping and better night life. I live in Ottawa but if I want a good weekend I go to Montreal or Toronto.

Answer 3

montreal is about 2 hours by car from ottawa.

montreal is a bigger city, so there is probably more things to do, and more going on, but ottawa is nice too, especially if you like being outside.

Answer 4

Montreal from Ottawa is a 2 hour drive. Ottawa is quite different from Montreal. I prefer Montreal for the restaurants, nightlife. The old port is especially nice. It has a more European feel. Ottawa has some nice attractions like the tulip festival, Museum of civilization, Museum of natural history.

I live 5 minutes from Montreal but i've been to Ottawa many times. Ottawa is very small. If your from a large city you'll most likely prefer Montreal.

Be careful driving in Montreal! According to some we drive fast!

Answer 5

You did not say where you were coming from. If you are not a Canadian, you might want to spend some time in Ottawa - it IS the country's capital (and where I live now). At least check out Parliament Hill and some of the nearby museums. It is not very far to Montreal so you could do that for part of a day and then take in Montreal - It is a fabulous city (and my home town), terrific nightlife (maybe check out Crescent Street - great restaurants and bars.)

Answer 6

Personally, I think you should take the time and make the effort to see both Canadian cities as they are quite different from each other.

You could always visit Ottawa ON in the morning-early afternoon and head east to Montreal QC during late afternoon-early/late evening - why not?

Just a suggestion.

Overall feeling - Montreal is trendier, has a younger & more vibrant atmosphere, is more active, provides better shopping, more varied cuisine as it is more cosmopolitan/international, also boasts a more exciting nightlife, etc.

Ottawa IS the nation's capital after all - as someone else said, but a bit quieter and more boring and more stiff upper lip also. Ottawa boasts plenty of museums and art galleries to visit though - but so does Montreal.

The distance between Ottawa and Montreal?

Here you go buddy!

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ard=1&...

The choice is all yours!

Hope this helps with your decision and welcome to Canada!

Answer 7

montreal to ottawa is around a two hour drive.

the best way to get there (if you're not going by car) would probably be by bus, or by train.

which is better to see? its all up to you but montreal is bigger so there is much more to do, its a whole different atmosphere. however, you might like ottawa if you're interested in political buildings. If you can do both then go for it.