Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Francisco to Ottawaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, train, or bus

Find Transport to Ottawa

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from San Francisco to Ottawa by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, train, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane SFO - YOW
    9h 59m
    $199–822

  2. Train

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Detroittrain train
    3. Take the train from Windsor to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain train
    2d 23h
    $2,198–3,872

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Stationbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    2d 23h
    $764–1,167

  4. Drive  4,596.2 km

    1. Drive from San Francisco to Ottawacar car 4,596.2 km
    45h 57m
    $830–1,198

  5. Fly Oakland International Airport to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane OAK - YOW
    10h 16m
    $223–916

  6. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane SJC - YOW
    11h 31m
    $252–1,025

  7. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, train

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)plane plane SFO - YUL
    2. Take the train from Dorval to Ottawatrain train
    10h 31m
    $413–1,461

  8. Train to Sacramento International Airport, fly to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Sacramentotrain train
    2. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane SMF - YOW
    13h 32m
    $285–1,014

  9. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Detroitbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    3d 4h

San Francisco to Ottawa by subway, train, and car

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 23hAverage Duration
Ticket$2,198Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Ottawa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,963.5 km
  • Duration: 9h 59m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and Ottawa, ON, Canada?

Air Canada, United Airlines, and Porter Airlines fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a subway from Civic Center / UN Plaza to Ottawa via Richmond, Richmond, Chicago Union Station, Detroit, Windsor, and Toronto Union Station in around 2d 23h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Canada

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There