Perth, Ontario
Perth airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Perth, Ontario has no airport: the nearest scheduled gateway is Ottawa (YOW), about 80 km (50 mi) away. Take a rental car or pre-booked shuttle (about 1 h 15), or a taxi (CAD 130–180). There is no train or bus from YOW to Perth. If you meant Perth, Australia, this page is the wrong city.Perth, Ontario has no airport: the nearest scheduled gateway is Ottawa (YOW), about 50 mi (80 km) away. Take a rental car or pre-booked shuttle (about 1 h 15), or a taxi (CAD 130–180). There is no train or bus from YOW to Perth. If you meant Perth, Australia, this page is the wrong city.
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GuidePerth, Ontario
Key facts
- Airport serving Perth, Ontariocheck
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International (YOW), about 80 km northeast
- Local airportcheck
- Perth (CYPT) is a small general-aviation field; no scheduled passenger service
- Train to Perthcheck
- None. VIA Rail's Toronto–Ottawa corridor does not stop in Perth
- Bus to Perthcheck
- No direct bus from YOW; regional services run on separate routes
- Car time from YOWcheck
- About 1 h 15 via Highway 417 and Highway 7
- Taxi or ridesharecheck
- CAD 130–180 one way, 2026 estimate
- Closest rail stationcheck
- Smiths Falls, about 25 km east, on the Toronto–Ottawa corridor
- Best option
- Rental car if you plan to explore Lanark County; shuttle if you do not
Options at a glance
Perth sits in Lanark County, roughly 80 km southwest of Ottawa. Nothing scheduled flies into the town itself, so every trip starts at Ottawa (YOW) or, for rail passengers, at Smiths Falls. The table below compares the realistic choices.
Prices are 2026 estimates and change with season, luggage and how far ahead you book. Times assume normal traffic; the 417 can slow sharply on summer Friday afternoons and on winter storm days.
- Book a shuttle or rental before landing: YOW has no walk-up counter for Perth-bound transfers.
- If you arrive after about 22:00, a pre-booked car is safer than hoping for a rideshare.
- Winter driving on Highway 7 needs snow tyres and daylight if you are not used to it.
| Option | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car from YOW | 1 h 15 | CAD 50–90 a day plus fuel | Anyone continuing to Ottawa Valley towns |
| Pre-booked shuttle or private transfer | 1 h 15–1 h 30 | CAD 90–160 per vehicle | Arrivals without a car, groups |
| Taxi from YOW | 1 h 15 | CAD 130–180 | Late arrivals, door-to-door |
| Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | 1 h 15 | CAD 110–170 | Flexible timing, app payment |
| VIA Rail to Smiths Falls, then taxi | 3 h 30–4 h 30 total | CAD 40–90 rail plus CAD 45–60 taxi | Coming from Toronto or Montréal |
| Local bus | Not available | — | No direct service from YOW |
All figures are estimates; confirm fares and shuttle availability when booking (check).
The detail
By car, leave YOW on Highway 417 west, then take Highway 7 southwest through Carleton Place and on to Perth. The drive is straightforward and mostly divided highway until the 7. Allow extra time in winter, when squalls can close lanes. Rental desks are in the terminal; book ahead in summer and over holidays.
Pre-booked shuttles and private transfers are the simplest option if you are not driving. Operators quote per vehicle rather than per person, so a group of three or four often pays less than four separate taxi fares. Reserve at least a day ahead and give your flight number so the driver can track delays.
Taxis wait at the terminal and charge a metered or fixed long-distance rate; confirm the price before you get in. Rideshare pick-up at YOW is from a designated area, not the taxi rank.
By rail, VIA Rail's Toronto–Ottawa corridor stops at Smiths Falls, about 25 km east of Perth. From there it is a short taxi ride into town. There is no station in Perth itself, and no bus connecting Smiths Falls station to Perth on a reliable schedule, so plan the taxi leg in advance (check).
If you are flying into Toronto instead, the drive to Perth is about 3 h 30 via Highway 401 and Highway 7, or take VIA Rail to Smiths Falls and finish by taxi.
What it costs
The cheapest route for a solo traveller is usually VIA Rail to Smiths Falls plus a taxi, though it takes longer and depends on train times lining up. For two or more people, a rental car or a private transfer is normally cheaper and faster.
Tipping follows Canadian norms: 10–15% for taxis, and shuttle drivers are usually tipped a few dollars for luggage help.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Rental car, per day | CAD 50–90 plus fuel and insurance |
| Fuel, YOW to Perth | CAD 10–15 |
| Private transfer, per vehicle | CAD 90–160 |
| Taxi, one way | CAD 130–180 |
| Rideshare, one way | CAD 110–170 |
| VIA Rail Toronto–Smiths Falls | CAD 40–90 |
| Taxi Smiths Falls–Perth | CAD 45–60 |
Estimates only; weekend and holiday rates run higher (check).
Tips
- Perth is a small town: arrange your onward ride before you arrive, especially in the evening.
- If you are heading to Ottawa instead, the same YOW options apply in reverse and take about 1 h 15.
- Check whether your accommodation offers pick-up; some Lanark County inns do for a fee (check).
- In winter, keep a phone charged and a blanket in the car on Highway 7.
Sources
Questions people ask
How do I get from Perth airport to the city centre?
Perth, Ontario has no scheduled airport. Fly into Ottawa (YOW), about 80 km away, then drive, take a pre-booked shuttle or a taxi (CAD 130–180, about 1 h 15). There is no train or direct bus from YOW to Perth.
How much is a taxi from Perth airport?
From Ottawa (YOW) to Perth, expect CAD 130–180 one way in 2026, depending on time of day and luggage. Confirm the fare before departure. Rideshare is usually CAD 110–170.
Is there a train from Perth airport?
No. Perth has no passenger rail station. VIA Rail's Toronto–Ottawa corridor stops at Smiths Falls, about 25 km east, where you finish by taxi (CAD 45–60).
Is there a bus from Ottawa airport to Perth?
No direct service. Regional buses run on other routes and do not connect YOW to Perth reliably. A rental car, shuttle or taxi is the practical choice.
Do I need a car in Perth, Ontario?
For Lanark County day trips, yes. In town you can walk between the main streets, but reaching nearby lakes, trails and villages without a car is difficult.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVIA Rail Canada
- officialOttawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
- officialDestination Ontario
- officialTown of Perth, Ontario
- secondaryWikivoyage – Perth (Ontario)