There are 4 ways to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay by plane, bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)plane YOW - YQT
3h 55m$294–654Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Ottawa - Via Rail to Sudburybus
- Take the bus from Sudbury to Sault Ste Mariebus
- Take the bus from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Baybus
23h 15m$104–309Bus, train
- Take the bus from Ottawa - Via Rail to Sudburybus
- Take the train from Sudbury to White Rivertrain
- Take the bus from White River - ESSO Gas Station-Food Store to Thunder Bay - 947 Memorial Avenuebus
22h 43m$321–669Drive 1,375.8 km
- Drive from Ottawa to Thunder Baycar 1,375.8 km
18h 24m$275–396
Ottawa to Thunder Bay by bus, taxi, train, and foot
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is to bus which costs $100 - $310 and takes 23h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is to fly which takes 3h 55m and costs $290 - $700.
No, there is no direct bus from Ottawa to Thunder Bay. However, there are services departing from Ottawa - Via Rail and arriving at Thunder Bay via Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 23h 15m.
The distance between Ottawa and Thunder Bay is 1103 km. The road distance is 1375.8 km.
The best way to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay without a car is to bus and train which takes 22h 43m and costs $320 - $700.
It takes approximately 3h 55m to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, including transfers.
Ottawa to Thunder Bay bus services, operated by Ontario Northland, depart from Ottawa - Via Rail station.
The best way to get from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is to fly which takes 3h 55m and costs $290 - $700. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $100 - $310 and takes 23h 15m.
Ottawa to Thunder Bay bus services, operated by Ontario Northland, arrive at Sudbury station.
Yes, the driving distance between Ottawa to Thunder Bay is 1376 km. It takes approximately 18h 24m to drive from Ottawa to Thunder Bay.
What companies run services between Ottawa, ON, Canada and Thunder Bay, ON, Canada?
Porter Airlines and Air Canada fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Ottawa - Via Rail to Thunder Bay via Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie in around 23h 15m.
- Website
- flyporter.com
Flights from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Thunder Bay International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300–650
Flights from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Thunder Bay International Airport via Toronto
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300–650
- Website
- aircanada.com
Flights from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Thunder Bay International Airport via Toronto
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–600
- Phone
- +1 888 842-7245
- Website
- VIA Rail
Train from Sudbury to White River
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $110–330
- Website
- VIA Rail
- Escape
- $110–260
- Business
- $160–320
- Business Plus
- $170–330
- Economy
- $120–270
- Economy Plus
- $130–280
- Phone
- +1 800 363 7512
- [email protected]
- Website
- Ontario Northland
Bus from Ottawa - Via Rail to Sudbury
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–100
- Website
- Ontario Northland
- Children
- $30–50
- Senior
- $55–85
- Adult
- $65–100
Bus from Ottawa - Via Rail to Sudbury
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–100
- Website
- Ontario Northland
- Children
- $30–50
- Senior
- $55–85
- Adult
- $65–100
Bus from Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 32m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $24–70
- Website
- Ontario Northland
- Children
- $24–35
- Senior
- $40–60
- Adult
- $45–70
Bus from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 36m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–140
- Website
- Ontario Northland
- Children
- $45–70
- Senior
- $80–120
- Adult
- $95–140
- Phone
- +1 855 566 2378
- [email protected]
- Website
- Ontario & Manitoba Bus Service
Bus from White River - ESSO Gas Station-Food Store to Thunder Bay - 947 Memorial Avenue
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 14m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $160–220
- Website
- Ontario & Manitoba Bus Service
- Adult
- $160–220
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Booking & Getting There
There are 33+ hotels available in Thunder Bay.