Major city · Canada
Perth, OntarioPerth
Go for one night, two max: a walkable 1816 stone town on the Tay Canal, 1 h 15 min from Ottawa by car. Skip it if you have no car.
Perth is a small Lanark County town of about 6,000 people, settled in 1816 by War of 1812 veterans and built up by stonemasons who worked on the Rideau Canal. The downtown is a few square blocks of preserved stone buildings around the Tay Basin, so a half-day walk covers the core and one night is enough for most trips. It works as a stop on an Ottawa-Rideau loop rather than a destination on its own.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun-Sep; late Apr for the maple festival; Feb for Frost & Fire
- avoid Nov-Mar for walking (cold, ice, many seasonal closures)
- Airport
- YOW
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Perth, Ontario911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Perth, Ontario, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are winter ice, deer on Highway 7 at dusk and thin late-night transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (Closest major airport, about 1 h 15 min by car west on Highway 7; no rail link to Perth).
- Getting aroundThe downtown core is a few square blocks and is easily walked.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3-6 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseTax added at the till; tip 15-20%.C$18-37 (≈ US$14–30)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at the storeC$8-10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3-5 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Local taxi, short hop in towncheckC$10-15 (≈ US$8–11)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15-40 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$110 (≈ US$80)
- Mid-range bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (Closest major airport, about 1 h 15 min by car west on Highway 7; no rail link to Perth)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Care
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Best*
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Apr, Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb. Avoid: Mar, Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Perth, Ontario: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
12 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
10 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The downtown core is a few square blocks and is easily walked. Parking in downtown lots is about $4/day; on-street parking is free for up to two hours in any five-hour period. The Highway 7 strip and motels are car-only. Local taxis: K+K Cab, Access Taxi and Charlie's Taxi (check numbers).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Smiths Falls
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Highway 43 south, about 30 min by car
Rideau Canal museum and the VIA rail station for onward trips.
Merrickville
goDoor to door: About 1 h
County Road 43 east, about 45 min by car
Canal-side village with locks and shops; pair with Smiths Falls.
Almonte
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Highway 511 north then Highway 29, about 40 min by car
Mississippi River falls and a small textile museum.
Carleton Place
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Highway 7 east, about 30 min by car
Mostly a shopping stop unless you are heading to Ottawa.
Westport
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
County Road 10 south, about 1 h by car
Upper Rideau Lake village; good lunch stop on a loop.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Highway 7 east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Too big for a half-day: give it its own stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Tay Basin
Walk to the museum, Stewart Park and most restaurants; limited rooms, book ahead.
Highway 7 strip
Motels, big-box stores and fast food; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90-140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150-230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Downtown inn or spa hotel room1 × 1 night × C$220 | C$220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Downtown lot parking, one day1 × C$4 · check | C$4 |
| Museum entry (by donation)2 × C$5 · check | C$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$15 | C$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$58 |
| Trip total≈ C$321 per person per day, bed included | C$642≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3-6 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Restaurant main courseTax added at the till; tip 15-20%. | C$18-37 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at the store | C$8-10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3-5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Downtown lot parking, per daycheck | C$4 (≈ US$3) |
| Local taxi, short hop in towncheck | C$10-15 (≈ US$8–11) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15-40 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No train station in town: VIA stops at Smiths Falls, then a taxi or bus onward.
- Buses (Rider Express, FlixBus) serve Perth but schedules are thin: check before you commit.
- Winter ice on downtown sidewalks; many attractions and the canal locks are seasonal.
- Tay Canal locks run late May to Thanksgiving only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Perth, OntarioPerth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Perth; the US embassy and most others are in Ottawa, about 1 h 15 min east.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Smiths Falls VIA station to Perth: about C$35-45 (≈ US$30–35), 25 min (check)
- Rider Express or FlixBus, Ottawa to Perth: about C$20-35 (≈ US$15–30), 1 h 30 min (check)
- Downtown lot parking, per day: C$4 (≈ US$3) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you / Merci — Thank you
- Where is the washroom? — Where is the toilet?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
Small town: confirm seasonal hours before you drive out.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Perth, Ontario. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun-Sep; late Apr for the maple festival; Feb for Frost & Fire · avoid Nov-Mar for walking (cold, ice, many seasonal closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YOW: drive time, bus fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster map for the downtown core with rescue anchors (museum, Tay Basin, Stewart Park).
- Place pages with verified hours for the Perth Museum, Hall of Remembrance and Studio Theatre.
- Seasonal fixtures for the canal locks, drive-in and festival weekends.
Sources
- officialTown of Perth — plan your trip
- officialPerth Museum
- officialParks Canada — Rideau Canal
- officialVIA Rail
- secondaryWikivoyage: Perth (Ontario), revision 5309449 (CC BY-SA 4.0)