I have tickets for an Ottawa Senators home game. When is the best time to leave downtown Ottawa for the game?

Question

I recently moved to downtown Ottawa and attending my first Ottawa Senators hockey game at home ice at ScotiaBank Place, near Kanata.

I was wondering if it was better to drive there or take a bus.

If I drove, what would be the best time to leave downtown to go the game (assuming game time is about 7:30 pm).

If I took the bus, I plan to take the bus from the Rideau Centre, and was wondering how long it took to get there by bus (is it quicker than car, etc.)

Answer 1

What time are you able to leave?
Traffic is unpredictable and it could take up to 2 hrs to navigate on the HWY from DT ott to the Scotia place. on a normal day it's a 30 min drive... double that at LEAST if it's rush hour... AND there's a game.
If you take the bus... from rideau... i'd say...30-45 mins... it's been a while since i did that... it's a direct route so it wont stop unless it's other big bus stops for that particular reason.
Games' at 730... you want to be there at least 715... in your seats... so aim to get there for 7.
i say leave after work as soon as you can... and just grab a drink once you get there if you' get there super early...
which i doubt you'll have to worry about!
Rush hour SUCKS on the 417~... this is of course if you have a WEEKNIGHT game...
if it's a weekend... dont be as rushed... it'll take some time... but you dont have to contend with the usual rush hour traffic of ppl wanting to get home!!! (i'd say 45 mins to get there + finding a parking spot on top of that... if it's a sat game!!)
Enjoy!!!
Ps... go sens go... although... they need a LOT of help lately!!!

Answer 2

The bus is quicker than going by car because the highway is packed on game nights (from people going to the game and people going home from work). The bus will take you about 45 minutes. If you do drive, there is also a huge traffic jam to get out of the parking lot after the game. I was once stuck in the parking lot for 45 minutes.

One important thing about the bus is that it gets packed very quickly. If you have time, get yourself down the street to the transit station at Ottawa U. The Rideau Centre is where the bus fills up.

Answer 3

The bus is better than the car as parking is expensive and long to get out of the parking lot and area after the game. Traffic will start to back up from downtown right after work but it's not too congested so you'll still get there before 6:00 if you leave right after work. Leave around 6:00 and you'll still get there with lots of time and even time to go to Marshy's for a drink and wings if you can get in there leaving downtown at 5:30, Marshy's is very popular before the game. You can try a Local Heroes restaurant they usually run buses from the restaurant to the games, probaly better for you.
Have fun the arena is great.

Answer 4

The car is more convenient, the bus gets to use the bus lane. But, I think the bus and car would end up being about the same.

I'd leave around 6pm to get there by 7 at the latest. It's nice to walk around, check out the Centre, buy some swag, eat, etc. before the game. :o)

Answer 5

takes about an hour and 15 min to an hour and 30 min. because traffic on the 417 slows to 20-30 km/h once you get past carling av. and its complete gridlock all the way to terry fox dr. but to speed it up i take carling from bronson all the way down to herzberg rd. (turns into eagleson rd.) and turn left go straight up to hazeldean rd. and turn right, from there go to terry fox dr. then take a left on palladium and you'll be there in 40 min.

don't take the bus because they are too many people triing to get on and buses can't handle the amout of passengers so even if the bus you want to take passes at 5 you can be stuck waiting until 6 for a bus with enough space on board to pick you up.... and on top of that it take the same amount of time as the 417.

Answer 6

Although I took the car to many Sens games, OC Transpo is real quick to get you there, and real cheap to boot. They have special routes to get to Corel Centre or whatever the hell it is called now....
Get there an hour before the game, or 2 hours if you plan on eating there at Marshy's, and bring lots of cash because those arseholes that run the food concessions rob people blind out there.....they charge double for everything.......like 4 bucks for a soft drink....what a rip-off
ENJOY THE GAME....Hope your tickets were free ??!!

Answer 7

You should allow yourself at least a couple of hours if you plan on driving yourself, especially if you leave during rush hour. Traffic can get pretty bad. Not sure how long it would take by bus, but it would probably simplify the issue of locating a parking space when you get there.

Answer 8

yes