Is There Any Budget Accommodation In Downtown Ottawa?

If you are visiting Ottawa and are without a car, you should look for hotel accommodation in the city centre, rather than the suburbs, as this will save you a potentially long, $6/person roundtrip bus ride into the core of Canada's national capital. Most hotels in Ottawa's centre are reasonably priced and there are also several hostels.

Without a doubt, the most historically interesting hostel in downtown Ottawa is the Ottawa Jail Hostel. Accommodation is provided in an old, 19th century building, which once functioned as a prison and even executed people using gallows. Visitors stay in former jail cells, which have been converted into dorm rooms, starting from C$26/night. Visitors are even given a tour of the gallows. The Jail Hostel's location is excellent, as it is situated right next to the Rideau Centre shopping mall, across from the University of Ottawa and the Mackenzie King Bridge.

If staying in a jail cell is not your cup of tea, the Ottawa Backpackers Inn is a very friendly, easy-going hostel located in an old townhouse, near the Byward Market. Beds in co-ed and same-sex dorm rooms start at C$22/night. It is only about a 15 minute walk to the Parliament of Canada and less than 5 minutes from Ottawa's famous market.

If you prefer a hotel with private rooms, the three-star Novotel is well situated, next to Rideau Centre and is less than 10 minutes walking distance from Parliament Hill and Centretown. Single rooms start at C$149. Slightly cheaper is the Gasthaus Switzerland bed & breakfast (located in the residential Sandy Hill neighbourhood) where rooms start at C$118 and include a complimentary breakfast.