🇨🇦 Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa Backpackers Inn
📍 203, York Street, Ottawa, K1N 5T7
Your stay — Ottawa Backpackers Inn
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The Property — Ottawa Backpackers Inn
Ottawa Backpackers Inn sits in a converted Victorian townhouse near the ByWard Market, with creaky wooden floors and a communal kitchen that smells of coffee and conversation. The vibe is unpretentious and sociable, more hostel-lite than hotel, with dorm beds and private rooms sharing a common area where travellers swap route tips over cheap tea. It suits budget soloists and young couples who want a clean, central crash pad without frills — the lobby has a noticeboard full of local gig flyers and a cat asleep on the sofa.
Chronicles of Ottawa
Ottawa was founded in 1826 as the rough-and-ready mill town Bytown, named after Colonel John By who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal. Queen Victoria chose it as Canada’s capital in 1857, partly to sidestep the rivalry between Montreal and Toronto, and the government poured money into grand Gothic Revival buildings like Parliament Hill. The 20th century saw the city grow into a bilingual, bureaucratic hub, but recent decades have injected a young, creative energy from tech offices and music festivals. Today, the city balances its buttoned-down heritage with a lively market district and winter frolics on the frozen canal.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ottawa guide →Best months
July and August offer the warmest weather (averaging 26°C highs) and the full run of outdoor events, though July brings Canada Day crowds. Early September gives you pleasant temperatures and noticeably lighter crowds as summer fades.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak, driven by Canada Day on July 1 and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. Hotel prices double or triple from June levels; book months ahead if you want anything central.
Budget shoulder season
May and late September are the best budget shoulder months. May has blooming tulips and lower prices, September still hits 20°C with autumn colours starting.
Weather & packing
Ottawa’s climate is continental with big swings: July can be humid and thundery, but evenings cool to 15°C. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a jumper for evenings, and always bring comfortable walking shoes — the city is built for strolling.
Live City Briefing — Ottawa
- The O-Train’s Line 1 has resumed normal service after months of track repairs, but the Confederation Line still sees occasional off-peak closures; check OC Transpo alerts before heading to Parliament.
- Major construction on Rideau Street near the hotel has mostly cleared, though a few sidewalks remain fenced off around the CF Rideau Centre extension, due to open late 2026.
- Parliament Hill’s Centre Block renovations mean the main tower is scaffolded, but the temporary visitor centre and daily tours of the Senate are running as usual.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ottawa Backpackers Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear courtyard (south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the back orientation cuts noise from York Street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those facing York Street) — they get direct foot traffic noise and headlights from passing cars at night. Also skip rooms near the main staircase or lift shaft on any floor, as the creaky floorboards and lift mechanism carry sound.
Best views
Rooms on the York Street side (front) offer a view of the ByWard Market buildings and street life — lively but noisier. The best view for light and sky is from upper-floor rear rooms, overlooking the small garden/courtyard.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest — further from the street and common areas. The building is a converted townhouse, so upper floors have less street rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
York Street is a main ByWard Market artery — delivery trucks start around 6am, and bar crowds spill out until 2am on weekends. The hostel’s old wooden floors amplify footsteps from the floor above.
Insider tips
Park at the City Hall or ByWard Market public garages (cheaper than the hotel's limited spots). Check in by 5pm if possible — late arrivals risk a ground-floor room as that's what’s usually left. Ask for a room away from the common room if you’re a light sleeper.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ottawa Backpackers Inn
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15-25 Mbps; no login required on guest devices
No lift; all guest rooms are on floors 1-3 accessed by stairs only
Complimentary print copies of Ottawa Citizen available in common lounge; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00 free; check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 13:00 for $15 CAD, subject to availability
Free left-luggage room behind reception; open 08:00-22:00 daily
No step-free entry; one step at main door; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; not suitable for guests with mobility impairments
No on-site parking; nearest public lot is 59 York Street Garage ($18 CAD per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 4% of room rate as municipal accommodation tax, plus 13% HST; included in quoted rate at booking
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a $50 CAD incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Gladstone Community Church (212 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Église Unie St-Marc (434 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: The Church of the Messiah (459 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St. Alban's Anglican Church (Ottawa) (516 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Rideau Centre — 313 m · ~4 min walk
Raphael Brunet Park — 651 m · ~8 min walk
Bytown Museum — 783 m · ~10 min walk
Ottawa Little Theatre — 470 m · ~6 min walk
Splash Pad - Cindy Mitchell Park — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Hodl Digital Services - Zesty — 45 m · ~1 min walk
St. Mary Pharmacy & Family Clinic — 85 m · ~1 min walk
Axia Station — 37 m · ~1 min walk
Rideau — 196 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid currency exchange booths at the airport or downtown tourist areas.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere, contactless (tap) is standard, mobile pay works fine; cash rarely needed.
15–20% at restaurants, round up for taxis, $1–2 per bag for hotel porters, housekeeping $2–5 per night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a corner café or takeaway stand – around $2.50
Sandwich or soup from a deli counter or food court – about $10–12
Pub main or bowl of pasta – roughly $15–20
ByWard Market has several food stalls and trukcs offering quick bites like poutine or tacos.
Loblaws, Metro, and Food Basics are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
Major high-street chains at Rideau Centre mall – Zara, H&M, Old Navy, plus a few independent vintage shops in the Market.
OC Transpo bus day pass $10.50; from the airport take bus 97 to downtown for $4.00.
Buy groceries at Loblaws or Metro instead of eating out; use the free walking tours and museums (many offer free admission on Thursday evenings); avoid taxi or Uber from the airport and take the 97 bus.
Good to know — Ottawa
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.4 · CAD
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ottawa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ottawa Backpackers Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Hodl Digital Services - Zesty — 45 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · St. Mary Pharmacy & Family Clinic — 85 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) - Parkade → Best Western Plus Ottawa City Centre (Parking Lot)
💡 Only works if you pre-booked parking via the hotel's $15/night deal. Otherwise, skip—it's just for guests who parked off-site. Takes you directly to the hotel's back entrance on Laperriere Ave.
Ottawa Airport → Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport
💡 Pick-up area is just outside arrivals – follow signs. Surge pricing rare for this short trip. Booking through app saves a couple of bucks over taxi.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) → Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport
💡 Taxis queue outside arrivals. The hotel is less than 2 km from the terminal, so metered fare is low. Uber and Lybit also operate here for slightly less, usually $12-14 CAD.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa West - Nepean → Downtown Ottawa (Parliament Hill)
💡 Ask reception to call Blueline directly for a flat-rate to the ByWard Market area — sometimes cheaper than flagging one down. For early flights, schedule 24 hours ahead.
Ottawa Airport (YOW) → Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East - Orleans
💡 Take Route 97 from the airport to Hurdman Station, then transfer to Route 39 eastbound. Get off at Jeanne d'Arc / Orléansa stop—hotel is a 4-minute walk. Use a Presto card or tap credit/debit; exact cash only otherwise. The transfer is free if timed within 90 minutes.
Downtown Ottawa (e.g., Rideau Centre) → Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East - Orleans
💡 This is the most direct bus from downtown to the hotel. Board at Mackenzie King Bridge or Rideau Centre. The 39 runs along the Transitway and stops right at Jeanne d'Arc / Orléansa—then walk east on Innes Road. Avoid the 37 or 38—they run less frequently and serve different parts of Orleans.
Ottawa Airport (stop: Uplands/Airport) → Longfields & Woodroffe (near hotel)
💡 Buy a single-ride Presto card from the airport convenience store — cheaper than cash. Transfer to Route 61 at Billings Bridge Station if heading west during peak.
Hazeldean Mall (via Woodroffe Ave.) → Downtown Ottawa (Rideau Centre)
💡 Alight at Lincoln Fields Station for the LRT if heading to Parliament Hill — saves about 10 minutes. Weekend service is unreliable after 8pm.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) → Confederation Station (walk 10 mins to hotel)
💡 Buy a Presto card at the airport convenience store for $4; it's 15% cheaper than cash fares. Get off at Dominion station, then walk 8 mins west or grab a bus 55 to Carling.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) → Tunney's Pasture Station (transfer to bus 55 or walk 20 mins)
💡 This route skips downtown, so it's faster if you're arriving between 7-9 AM. From Tunney's, the hotel is a 20-min walk north along Parkdale; use Pulse bus 55 if it's raining.
Ottawa Airport Terminal → Hunt Club Road (walk 3 mins to hotel)
💡 The bus stop 'Hunt Club / Uplands' is a short walk east. Presto card cheaper per ride and works on all OC Transpo; buy one at the airport convenience store. Route 97 also connects downtown.
Ottawa Airport Terminal → Hunt Club Road (walk 3 mins to hotel)
💡 A slower alternative to Route 97 – only useful if you're also heading west along Hunt Club. Check real-time on OC Transpo app. Hotel isn't signed; use Hunt Club stop near Uplands Drive.
About Ottawa
Wikipedia ↗
Ottawa ( , ; Canadian French: [ɔtawɑ]) is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southeastern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear courtyard (south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the back orientation cuts noise from York Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those facing York Street) — they get direct foot traffic noise and headlights from passing cars at night. Also skip rooms near the main staircase or lift shaft on any floor, as the creaky floorboards and lift mechanism carry sound.
Is Ottawa Backpackers Inn noisy?
York Street is a main ByWard Market artery — delivery trucks start around 6am, and bar crowds spill out until 2am on weekends. The hostel’s old wooden floors amplify footsteps from the floor above.
Which rooms have the best views at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Rooms on the York Street side (front) offer a view of the ByWard Market buildings and street life — lively but noisier. The best view for light and sky is from upper-floor rear rooms, overlooking the small garden/courtyard.
What are insider tips for staying at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Park at the City Hall or ByWard Market public garages (cheaper than the hotel's limited spots). Check in by 5pm if possible — late arrivals risk a ground-floor room as that's what’s usually left. Ask for a room away from the common room if you’re a light sleeper.
What time is check-in at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Check-in at Ottawa Backpackers Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ottawa Backpackers Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15-25 Mbps; no login required on guest devices
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
4% of room rate as municipal accommodation tax, plus 13% HST; included in quoted rate at booking
Where can I eat cheaply near Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
Sandwich or soup from a deli counter or food court – about $10–12
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ottawa Backpackers Inn?
OC Transpo bus day pass $10.50; from the airport take bus 97 to downtown for $4.00.
When is the best time to visit Ottawa?
July and August offer the warmest weather (averaging 26°C highs) and the full run of outdoor events, though July brings Canada Day crowds. Early September gives you pleasant temperatures and noticeably lighter crowds as summer fades.
Top Attractions in Ottawa
💡 Check the NCC's skateway status online before heading out—it closes when ice is unsafe. Bring your own skates to save cash; the rental huts at Fifth Avenue and Rideau Centre often run out of sizes by noon.
💡 Rent skates at Fifth Avenue or Dow’s Lake for cheap–bring cash. January–February is peak ice season; check NCC’s website for conditions.
💡 Bring your own lunch; the park has tables and benches. Best photo spot of Parliament from the southeast corner.
💡 Rent skates at Fifth Avenue Court for CAD 20-25; go early on weekdays for smoother ice and fewer crowds.
💡 Skate from Dow's Lake toward downtown at 7am to avoid crowds—the ice is freshly groomed and quieter. Bring your own skates to save $15.
💡 Skate rental and locker hire cost about $15-$20 from vendors at Fifth Avenue or downtown. Check the NCC's website before you go—the canal only opens when ice is thick enough, usually mid-January to late February. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds.
💡 Rent skates from the kiosk at Fifth Avenue (midpoint) to avoid downtown crowds. Check the NCC website for ice conditions before heading out—it's usually open January to late February.
💡 Check the NCC website for ice conditions; mid-Jan to late Feb is peak. Rent skate from kiosks at Fifth Avenue (under $20). Bring a thermos of hot chocolate.