









Combo – Rideau Canal and Gray Line – 2 Day
Discover Ottawa’s rich heritage with our exclusive Combo Package: the 2 Day Grayline Pass and a 90-Minute Canal Cruise. Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant history as you tour iconic sites by land and water. Glide along the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal on a 100% electric boat, then enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour of Ottawa’s landmarks aboard a comfortable Grayline bus. This unique package offers the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and cultural discovery.


Step aboard North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel and journey back to 1812 as you cruise the historic Rideau Canal. Stretching 202 km from Kingston to Ottawa, the canal is renowned as the best-preserved slackwater canal in North America and remains operational along its original route with most structures intact. Built for military and strategic purposes after the War of 1812, the canal is now a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering stunning views of lakes, rivers, and historical landmarks as you relax in eco-friendly comfort.

Experience Ottawa-Gatineau’s highlights with a guided Grayline tour. These multilingual tours showcase the National Capital’s most famous sights, from Parliament Hill to historic neighborhoods, all narrated in your choice of eight languages. The 90-minute tour is conducted entirely on the bus, allowing you to take in the city’s beauty and learn its stories without interruption. With over 30 years of experience, the Grayline team ensures a safe, informative, and memorable journey through Canada’s capital.
Step aboard North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel and journey back to 1812 as you cruise the historic Rideau Canal. Stretching 202 km from Kingston to Ottawa, the canal is renowned as the best-preserved slackwater canal in North America and remains operational along its original route with most structures intact. Built for military and strategic purposes after the War of 1812, the canal is now a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering stunning views of lakes, rivers, and historical landmarks as you relax in eco-friendly comfort.
Experience Ottawa-Gatineau’s highlights with a guided Grayline tour. These multilingual tours showcase the National Capital’s most famous sights, from Parliament Hill to historic neighborhoods, all narrated in your choice of eight languages. The 90-minute tour is conducted entirely on the bus, allowing you to take in the city’s beauty and learn its stories without interruption. With over 30 years of experience, the Grayline team ensures a safe, informative, and memorable journey through Canada’s capital.


Learn more
Canal Cruise Timings
The Rideau Canal Cruise departs from Ottawa Location.
- 12h*
- 14h30
- 16h30
- 18h30
The 12 h 00 departure will depart from 1 Elgin st (NAC side) but drop off will be at 11 Colonel By Dr. (Westin Hotel).
Address : 1 Elgin st Ottawa, ON.
Learn more
Grayline Bus Tour Timings
The Grayline Bus Departs from Ottawa Location.
- 10am
- 11am
- 12pm
- 1pm
- 2pm
- 3pm
- 4pm
Address : 44 Sparks St, Ottawa, K1P 5K6.
River + Grayline Combo
Rates (Starting From)
Individual Rates
- Adult (18+) = From $100.50
- Children (3-11) : From $70.50
- Infants (0-2) = Free
Cruise Information
- All rates are plus + Taxes and Service Fees.
- Tour Length: 90 Mins
- Languages : English and French
- Important Notice : New Tiered Pricing for Our Sightseeing Tours!
We’re introducing a flexible tiered pricing system for our sightseeing tours! Our rates will now fluctuate based on the day, ensuring the best value for your experience. Plan ahead and book early to secure the best price for your cruise.
Grayline Information
- All rates are plus + Taxes and Service Fees.
- Start Time: First tour begins at 10:00am every morning (tours run hourly or every 30 minutes).
- End Time: We may have later tours depending on demand but last tour usually begins from starting location at 4:00pm.
- Pass Valid: For one tour. Cannot get back on after getting off the bus.
- Tour Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Languages: Live guide in French and English – Audio in German, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.
- Adult (18+) = From $100.50
- Children (3-11) : From $70.50
- Infants (0-2) = Free
- All rates are plus + Taxes and Service Fees.
- Tour Length: 90 Mins
- Languages : English and French
- Important Notice : New Tiered Pricing for Our Sightseeing Tours!
We’re introducing a flexible tiered pricing system for our sightseeing tours! Our rates will now fluctuate based on the day, ensuring the best value for your experience. Plan ahead and book early to secure the best price for your cruise.
- All rates are plus + Taxes and Service Fees.
- Start Time: First tour begins at 10:00am every morning (tours run hourly or every 30 minutes).
- End Time: We may have later tours depending on demand but last tour usually begins from starting location at 4:00pm.
- Pass Valid: For one tour. Cannot get back on after getting off the bus.
- Tour Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Languages: Live guide in French and English – Audio in German, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.

Pricing Notice
New Tiered Pricing
We’re introducing a flexible tiered pricing system for our sightseeing tours! Our rates will now fluctuate based on the day, ensuring the best value for your experience. Plan ahead and book early to secure the best price for your cruise.
Find us
Departure Locations


Canal Cruise
We are located behind the National Arts Centre at 1 Elgin St. Right beside the 1 Elgin St Café.
Map LocationCanal Cruise
Located on 2 Rideau Street, directly across the street from the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier.
Map Location
For your information
Cruise Onboarding Protocols
We have implemented a range of protocols to ensure all passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience on our cruises.
Tour Duration
Our tours have a fixed duration of 90 minutes. The Rideau Canal Cruise departs from Ottawa.
Arrival Time
To ensure timely departure, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
Onboard Facilities
All of our cruises are equipped with washrooms, and a fully licensed bar and snack menu are available for purchase during the cruise.
FAQ Cruises
Please refer below to understand more about our cruise policies.
What are the departure locations for the canal cruise?
The departure location is at 1 Elgin St., Ottawa.
What is the duration of the tour?
The tour duration is approximately 90 minutes, which includes a round trip from 1 Elgin St. to Dow's Lake and back.
What can I expect on the cruise?
During the cruise, you will have the following features and amenities:
• A bilingual tour guide
• Learn about the rich history of the Canal and Ottawa
• Cruise on a 100% electric vessel, providing a peaceful experience with no sound or vibrations
• Fully licensed bar and snacks counter
Is there parking available near the cruise departure location?
For the Rideau Canal Cruise (Ottawa Departure), paid parking is available at the National Arts Centre.
How can I book the canal tour?
You can book the river tour in any of the following ways:
• Visit our website at and make an online booking.
• Visit our kiosk located at 2 Rideau St., directly across the street from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
When should I arrive at the departure location?
We kindly request that you arrive at least 20-30 minutes prior to the departure time.
What does Premium seating mean?
Premium seating allows customers to board the boat first and choose their preferred seats before others.
Is the canal cruise wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the canal cruise is wheelchair accessible. It can be accessed via Elgin Street and the National Arts Centre, and we have adequate space on board to accommodate wheelchairs.
Can I reschedule my tickets?
Unfortunately, all our tour tickets are non refundable and cannot be rescheduled.
Grayline Bus Tours
Onboarding Protocols
Kiosk, Hours and Contact
- Main Kiosk and Tour starting location : In front of: 44 Sparks st, Ottawa, K1P 5K6
- Reception hours : 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Spring and Fall, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Summer
- Contact Information : Office Phone: 1-613-562-9090, Email: info@ottawacitytour.com
Parking Information
- There are many nearby parking spots close to our tour starting area at 44 Sparks street. Here is a link from parkopedia of nearby payable parkings: Parkopedia.
- We recommend paid parking at the World Exchange Plaza or at the National Arts Centre – these are the two closest locations to our starting point.
Validity of Pass
Is the One Day Pass good for only the day of first use?
Not necessarily. Our one day pass is valid for 24 hours from the time you first hop on board. This means that you can begin your day at 3:00pm on Monday and still ride on our buses until 3:00pm the following Tuesday. The same applies for 2 day passes, with these tickets being valid for 48 hours. We made it this way to ensure that our passengers have the necessary time to see all of the best activities and sites in Ottawa!
Our double decker buses have departures from 10:00am until 4:00pm. If you have more questions regarding how this works, feel free to ask our staff once you get to the start of your tour. We would be more than happy to show you how it all works to ensure that you have a relaxing, enjoyable and stress-free experience.
- Main Kiosk and Tour starting location : In front of: 44 Sparks st, Ottawa, K1P 5K6
- Reception hours : 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Spring and Fall, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Summer
- Contact Information : Office Phone: 1-613-562-9090, Email: info@ottawacitytour.com
- There are many nearby parking spots close to our tour starting area at 44 Sparks street. Here is a link from parkopedia of nearby payable parkings: Parkopedia.
- We recommend paid parking at the World Exchange Plaza or at the National Arts Centre – these are the two closest locations to our starting point.
Is the One Day Pass good for only the day of first use?
Not necessarily. Our one day pass is valid for 24 hours from the time you first hop on board. This means that you can begin your day at 3:00pm on Monday and still ride on our buses until 3:00pm the following Tuesday. The same applies for 2 day passes, with these tickets being valid for 48 hours. We made it this way to ensure that our passengers have the necessary time to see all of the best activities and sites in Ottawa!
Our double decker buses have departures from 10:00am until 4:00pm. If you have more questions regarding how this works, feel free to ask our staff once you get to the start of your tour. We would be more than happy to show you how it all works to ensure that you have a relaxing, enjoyable and stress-free experience.
Grayline Bus Tours
FAQ's
Please refer below to understand more about our bus policies.
Depending on the Month, our buses run every hour, every 40 minutes, or every 30 minutes from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
Our busy season is during July and August. This is when you can expect to have buses every 30 or 40 minutes.
**Special events can alter the frequency: mechanical issues, road closures, ect. End of October frequency is every 2 hours.
No, this could cause issues since our stops are not always easy to find; due to city regulations we are not permitted to post signs at our stops. Our drivers will be looking for clients at the stop locations, but if someone is unfamiliar with them they may not be standing at the right place.
Furthermore, we find it important that all of our passengers get all the necessary information before taking our tours. In order to ensure that you are fully informed, it is important to be present at the tour starting location of 44 Sparks Street. Our objective is to make sure that you are totally satisfied with your experience, we would love to be able to talk to you in person!
No food or drinks are permitted on board our buses other than water. The enjoyment of all our passengers is our top priority, and this policy ensures a clean environment for everybody!
All of our tours have a bilingual guide on board to provide commentary in both French and English.
Furthermore, our double deckers also have multilingual audio available on our APP in German, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese! Our objective is to accommodate as many people as possible. Please speak to our representatives if you would like multilingual audio and we would be more than happy to show you how to download the APP on your phone. Bluetooth headphones are available for sale at the kiosks.
Yes! We have vehicles that are wheelchair accessible. Our double decker buses have wheelchair access and a location to securely fasten the chair for the ride.
Yes! Our tours are pet friendly. If your dog is well behaved we are more than happy to have him/her on board. If it is a large dog that will take up a seat, you will need to purchase a child ticket.
Yes it does! Our tour stops at the National Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, the Space and Aviation Museum, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Canadian Museum of History.
Yes it does! We even have a stop there for those wishing to hop off there to visit. (i.e Stop #1).
Yes, we have plenty of room for strollers on the bus. Speak to our staff on site to see what the best option is. We also can keep strollers with us at the main kiosk.