1st Move International provide a premium shipping service for your removals to Ottawa. Our unique packing method means guaranteed faster shipping than other companies. We offer guaranteed weekly removals to Canada for a fast, safe and smart move.
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There are thousands of British expats living in Ottawa who are drawn to better employment opportunities, a multicultural environment and a shared language and culture. Like many other cities in Canada, Ottawa is also known for its excellent quality of life.
Get a free move manager, Fast Track customs clearance and full insurance cover options when you move with 1st Move International. Simply fill out our quick and easy form to get a free, tailored quote for your move to Ottawa.
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Removals to Ottawa will cost £1,264 for a small (shared container) move from the UK. If you’re moving a larger volume of items (20ft container), then your international removal costs will start from £3,900. These costs are a rough guideline for your removals to Ottawa and true costs will depend on the volume and destination of your move.
| Move Size | Shipping Method | Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Move | Shared Container | From £1,264 |
| Medium Move (3-bed house) | 20ft Container | From £3,900 |
| Large Move (4-5 bed house) | 40ft Container | From £5,850 |
Prices shown are port to port freight costs and do not include UK collection or packing costs.
To get an accurate fee for your removals to Ottawa, request a quick free quote, or give us a call on 0117 9828 123.
Our one-of-a-kind packing and shipping technique means you get a faster, safer and smarter moving experience.
Your items will be sent via sea freight for your move to Ottawa. We offer two main options for your shipping: Shared Container and Full Container Shipping.
Choose our Shared Container Shipping service for the most cost-effective method of moving to Ottawa. It's best suited to those who are moving a few items or the contents of a 2-3 bedroom house. Your items will be in a container with other items, and you’ll pay for only the space you take up. We ship your items alongside commercial goods to guarantee weekly shipping.
FCL shipping will give you sole use of a 20ft or 40ft shipping container for your items. This means the handling of your items is minimised and protection is increased. Full Container Shipping is best suited for larger moves such as those needing to move the contents of a 3+ bedroom property.
We are one of the safest packers and movers to Ottawa thanks to our innovative shrink-fast packing method.
Benefit from our expertise in the industry for your removals to Ottawa
Find out what our Ottawa movers have to say about our service.
R Dolgoy
Oxford to Ottawa, CanadaThe pickup in the UK was really fantastic - as was the support before, during, and after the pickup. I felt respected even though I had a relatively small shipment. The company in the destination country (Canada) was good. They contacted me in advance and provided support during the pickup process.
N Cronje
Weston-Super-Mare to Ottawa, CanadaAll went very well, thanks for your sterling professional service, would definitely recommend you!
It takes just 10 days to ship your items from the UK to Ottawa. This is the time it takes from the Liverpool port to Ottawa, the closest port. This, however, does not include time for packing, customs or further delivery in Ottawa. We provide weekly guaranteed shipping to Ottawa.
It costs from £1,264 for a small furniture shipment from the UK to Ottawa. If you want to ship a lot of furniture, costs start from £3,900 for a move via Full Container Shipping. Your furniture shipping costs will depend on the amount of furniture being shipped and the location of your move.
Get a tailored free quote for your international removals to Ottawa. Alternatively, call us on +44 117 9828 123 or .
You can move to Ottawa at any time of the year with 1st Move International, but the best time for you will depend on your preferences. Housing is less competitive in the Winter, but this time of year is prone to heavy snowfall. Spring and Autumn are generally good times to move to Ottawa due to more comfortable weather. If you’re moving with a family, you’ll want to get settled before the Winter and before the school term starts in September.
To move to Ottawa from the UK, you’ll need a visa to gain permanent residency. A common way to do this is via the Express Entry route. It favours skilled workers from the UK and is an ideal way to gain permanent residency to live and work in Ottawa. You can also get a Spousal/common-law Sponsorship or Business Immigration visa. To find out more, read our guide on moving to Canada from the UK.
We will need the following documents to ship your items to Ottawa:
Rest assured, all documents can be securely uploaded through our document transfer page.
Read our detailed customs guide for Canada to find out more.
You can track your shipment live with our container tracking tool. Simply enter your tracking number and watch your shipment leave the UK and arrive in Ottawa.
Yes, we can ship your car to Ottawa through our other company, Autoshippers. With over 25 years of experience, they are the largest UK shipper of private cars. Autoshippers will either ship your car inside a container or by specialist Ro/Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) services from Southampton. Prior permission and Vehicle Import Approval will be needed to do this.
Known as one of the safest cities in Canada, Ottawa boasts strong employment opportunities in the public sector and government departments. The city offers a lower cost of living than others, especially when it comes to buying and renting property. It's a good location if you’re moving with children as it’s home to good schools, natural beauty and a multicultural population.
Old Ottawa South could be a good location for British expats as it offers a small town, community feel. It's close to Carleton University and boasts many good schools nearby. Try Centretown for excellent transport links, restaurants, museums and even schools. Ideal for those who want strong amenities and to be in the heart of the hustle and bustle.
The cost of living in Ottawa in 2024 is low compared to the UK (London), averaging at 34.1% more affordable . Living costs in Ottawa are more expensive than in Montreal, but cheaper than in Toronto and Vancouver.
You can expect an average monthly salary of $4,252,23 (£2,397.74) which is 35.6% less than in London . The cost of living in Ottawa is similar to Bristol and Manchester, but slightly higher.
Below we compare the cost of living in Ottawa with the UK by looking at London prices.
| Item | Ottawa | UK (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre | $1,950.81 (£1,100.02) | £2,170.83 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre | $7,068.26 (£3,985.64) | £13,403.96 |
| Monthly salary after tax | $4,252.23 (£2,397.74) | £3,732 |
| 3 course meal for 2 people, mid-range restaurant | $120 (£67.67) | £80 |
| 1 litre of milk | $2.85 (£1.61) | £1.33 |
| 1kg chicken fillets | $17.09 (£9.64) | £7.41 |
| Monthly travel pass | $128.62 (£72.53) | £200 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m2 apartment | $239.39 (£134.99) | £281.33 |
| Monthly gym membership | $66.02 (£37.23) | £45.33 |
| Monthly private preschool | $1,356.43 (£764.86) | £1,815.85 |
Data taken from Numbeo.
It’s significantly more affordable to buy and rent in Ottawa than the UK (London). The average rent for a 1 bedroom place in the city of Ottawa is $1,950.91 (£1,100.02) . It’s also 70.3% cheaper to buy property in Ottawa than in the UK . Rent prices are more expensive in Ottawa than Montreal, but cheaper than Toronto and Vancouver.
Below is a comparison of rental and buying prices in Ottawa compared to London.
| Item | Ottawa | UK (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre | $1,950.81 (£1,100.02) | £2,170.83 |
| Monthly rent for 1-bedroom apartment outside of centre | $1,779.01 (£1,003.15) | £1,630.26 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre | $7,068.26 (£3,985.64) | £13,403.96 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment outside of city centre | $6,460.24 (£3,642.24) | £7,956.99 |
Data taken from Numbeo.
Both Ottawa’s private and state schools offer a high standard of education, focussing on inclusivity. As Ottawa’s main spoken language is English, there are many English speaking schools for British expats. Although a large part of the population does speak French, many of Ottawa’s schools offer English as a Second Language programs (ESL) to support British students.
As Ottawa is the capital of Canada, government jobs make up a large part of the market. The technology sector is thriving in Ottawa, with big names like Nokia and Shopify having bases there, as well as an abundance of start up companies. Education is another significant employer in the city, with renowned universities such as University of Ottawa and Carleton University offering a range of roles.
Check out our guide on moving to Ottawa for a comprehensive overview, including insights on the best areas to live, an analysis of living costs, and tips on adapting to the local culture.
Discover our full door-to-door removals services from the United Kingdom to Canada with fast weekly shipping and safer packing.
Everything you need to know about shipping furniture & personal effects from the UK to Canada.
Customs Guide for Shipping Personal Effects to Canada
We cover all the legalities of shipping household goods from the UK to Canada.
Check out our guide to moving to Ottawa, Canada for everything you need to know to ensure a smooth transition!
Container Shipping Costs UK to Canada
Get the latest information on UK to Canada container shipping costs and container ports.
Canada Container Shipping Schedules
We post up-to-date sailing schedule information and as part of our weekly shipping promise we'll tell you in advance what ship we can get your personal effects on.
Our experts provide a wide range of guides, tips and advice on moving to and living in Canada.
Get more information on our car shipping services to Canada.
Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.
We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.
Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.
