Rideau Canal Cruise & Ottawa Double-Decker Bus Tour The Perfect Way to Discover Ottawa

Rideau Canal Cruise & Ottawa Double-Decker Bus Tour: The Perfect Way to Discover Ottawa

If you only have a day or two in Ottawa and want to experience as much of Canada’s capital as possible, there’s an easy way to see the city from two completely different perspectives: from the historic Rideau Canal and from the top of a double-decker sightseeing bus.

The Combo – Rideau Canal Cruise & Grayline 2-Day Pass brings these two classic Ottawa experiences together in one booking. Instead of choosing between a relaxing cruise and a city sightseeing tour, you can do both — and organize them around your own schedule.

For couples, families, first-time visitors and travelers spending a short time in Ottawa, this is one of those experiences that can turn sightseeing into a memorable part of the trip itself.

Cruise Along the Historic Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal isn't simply another Ottawa attraction. It is part of the identity of the city and one of Canada's most important historic waterways.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal connects Ottawa with Kingston and stretches for more than 200 kilometers through Ontario.

But you don't need to travel its entire length to appreciate it.

A Rideau Canal cruise gives you the opportunity to slow down and experience Ottawa from the water, away from busy streets and crowded sidewalks.

As the boat moves through the city, the perspective changes completely. Bridges pass overhead, green spaces appear along the shoreline, and some of Ottawa's familiar landmarks suddenly look very different from water level.

It is sightseeing without constantly checking a map or wondering where to go next.

Simply find your seat, relax and enjoy Ottawa passing around you.

Where Does the Rideau Canal Cruise Start?

The meeting point for the cruise is conveniently located in central Ottawa.

Rideau Canal Cruise meeting point:
Behind the National Arts Centre
1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1

The departure area is located behind the National Arts Centre, beside 1 Elgin St Café.

Guests should arrive approximately 15–20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Important for Premium Boarding

If you purchase Premium Boarding, make sure you arrive at least 20 minutes before boarding.

Premium Boarding can provide access to preferred seating, but arriving late means the best available seats cannot be guaranteed for your group.

Our recommendation is simple: arrive early, find the meeting point without rushing and start your Ottawa experience relaxed.

Then Discover Ottawa from a Double-Decker Bus

After seeing Ottawa from the water, it's time to change perspective.

The combination includes a Grayline double-decker sightseeing bus pass, allowing you to explore more of the Canadian capital from above street level.

The bus tour can be taken before or after your Rideau Canal cruise, giving you flexibility when planning your day.

Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM from the starting location.

To redeem your bus ticket, go to:

44 Sparks St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R7

Meet at the corner of Sparks Street and Elgin Street.

The buses are parked on Elgin Street, while kiosk attendants are available on Sparks Street.

Simply present your booking confirmation to the kiosk attendant to access the sightseeing buses.

Why Combine the Cruise and Bus Tour?

Ottawa is an excellent city for sightseeing, but many visitors make the mistake of experiencing it from only one perspective.

Walking is great for individual neighborhoods. A bus lets you cover much more ground. A cruise reveals a side of the city that streets simply can't show you.

Combining the Rideau Canal Cruise and double-decker bus tour solves that problem.

You get the relaxing atmosphere of a boat trip and the broader overview of a sightseeing bus.

It's particularly useful for first-time visitors because the bus can help you understand the layout of Ottawa, while the canal cruise provides a slower and more scenic experience.

And because the bus portion comes with a 2-Day Pass, you don't necessarily have to squeeze everything into a few hours.

A Great Choice for Families

Traveling with children often means finding the balance between seeing the city and keeping everyone entertained.

This combination makes that considerably easier.

Instead of spending the entire day walking between attractions, children get two experiences that feel like activities themselves: riding on a boat and traveling through the city on a double-decker bus.

Parents can still discover Ottawa's sights while the journey becomes part of the adventure.

Perfect for Couples Too

Ottawa from the Rideau Canal has a completely different atmosphere than Ottawa from the street.

For couples, the cruise offers an opportunity to relax together, enjoy the scenery and take photographs without rushing from attraction to attraction.

Combine it with the double-decker bus and you have an easy sightseeing day that requires very little planning.

Cruise. Explore. Stop for coffee or lunch. Continue sightseeing.

That's exactly how a city break should feel.

How to Plan Your Day

One of the biggest advantages of this combination is flexibility.

You could start the morning with the sightseeing bus, get an overview of Ottawa and then head toward the canal for your scheduled cruise.

Or do the opposite.

Start with a peaceful cruise along the Rideau Canal and spend the rest of the day exploring Ottawa aboard the double-decker bus.

Because buses depart regularly during operating hours, you have considerably more freedom than with an itinerary built entirely around fixed departure times.

Before You Go

A few simple preparations will make the experience easier:

• Arrive 15–20 minutes early for your Rideau Canal cruise.
• Premium Boarding guests should arrive at least 20 minutes before boarding.
• Keep your booking confirmation easily accessible on your phone.
• Redeem the sightseeing bus portion at the kiosk near Sparks Street and Elgin Street.
• Check your booking confirmation for the final departure details and any operational updates.
• Bring sun protection and water during warm summer days.
• Keep your camera ready — Ottawa looks very different from the canal.

Two Ways to See Ottawa. One Easy Booking.

There are cities you simply visit, and there are cities you experience.

Ottawa deserves the second approach.

The Rideau Canal Cruise & Grayline Double-Decker Bus 2-Day Pass gives you the opportunity to discover Canada's capital from its historic waterway and its streets without having to choose between the two.

See Ottawa from the water.

See it again from above the streets.

Discover the landmarks, enjoy the Rideau Canal and give yourself enough time to actually experience the city rather than simply rushing through it.

Ready to discover Ottawa?

Book the Rideau Canal Cruise & Grayline 2-Day Pass and experience Canada's capital from water and land.

Book your Ottawa adventure today