Banks: 10.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday; some banks open to 15.00 on Saturdays
Post Offices: 08.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08.30 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08.30 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 21.00, Monday to Friday; some shops open to 21.00 on Saturdays; early closing on Sundays

Ottawa is quite safe although is pays to be vigilant around the Byward Market area, city parks, and bus stations at night and to ignore beggars and take care while on public transport. All transit stations have emergency call boxes.

110V, 60Hz; twin flat-pin sockets (same as US plugs)

Like most of the rest of urban Canada, Ottawa is a health-conscious city, with clean streets, hygienic eateries and no-smoking in public buildings. The greatest risk to a visitor’s health when visiting Ottawa is the weather, as humid summers and freezing winters are the norm. Wrap up during the winter and make sure your travel insurance covers for adventure sports if you plan on going skiing.

Emergency services: 911
Ottawa Hospital: +1 613 722 7000

Ottawa is a bilingual city, with English and French being the main languages. Tourist brochures and highway signposts display both languages.

The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. You may hear the words ‘loonie’ and ‘toonie’, which refer to C$1 and C$2 coins respectively.

Duty-free allowances into Canada include the following: 200 cigarettes, 200g of tobacco, and 50 cigars; 1.15 litres of liquor and 1.5 litres of wine. It’s not a good idea to bring any sort of food into Canada as Canadian Immigration has complex requirements and restrictions.

Wandering around most anywhere in jeans, or shorts, and a T-shirt is fine apart from in upmarket restaurants that require formal wear. Don’t smoke in public places or you could end up with a large fine and only tip when there is no service charge added to your bill.

Citizens of most EU countries and Commonwealth countries, Japan, and Korea don’t need a visa to enter Canada for stays of up to three months, but must have a valid passport and should also have an onward flight ticket. Previously, US citizens could enter and exit Canada without a passport; however, this is no longer the case and they must also have a valid passport.

The Capital Infocentre on 90 Wellington Street, near Parliament Hill, has detailed information on Ottawa, plus free maps and brochures. Phone: +1 800 465 1867; website: www.canadascapital.gc.ca.