Old Ottawa South Ottawa Budget Guide
Emergency Numbers: Police:
911| Medical / Fire:911| Local Currency:CAD(1 USD ≈1.36CAD)
Map of Budget Spots
Section titled “Map of Budget Spots”Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation
Section titled “Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation”No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.
Cheap Groceries & Free Meals
Section titled “Cheap Groceries & Free Meals”- Supermarket Discount Hours: Not common
- Best Cheap Eats: University food court options like Tim Hortons or campus pizza slices
Discount Supermarkets
Section titled “Discount Supermarkets”| Supermarket | Best Budget Buys | Address (Google Maps) |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Food Cupboard | Emergency food hampers for students | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 |
Free Meals & Food Banks
Section titled “Free Meals & Food Banks”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Opening Hours & Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| CUSA Food Centre | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 | Provides food support to Carleton students; requires student ID |
Free Water & Public Restrooms
Section titled “Free Water & Public Restrooms”Free Drinking Water Points
Section titled “Free Drinking Water Points”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| MacOdrum Library | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 | Water bottle refill stations on every floor, open 24/7 during exam periods |
Free Public Toilets
Section titled “Free Public Toilets”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carleton University Athletics Building | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 | Publicly accessible during building hours, generally clean |
Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers
Section titled “Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers”Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets
Section titled “Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets”| Place | Address (Google Maps) | Wi-Fi & Desk Details |
|---|---|---|
| MacOdrum Library | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 | Free Wi-Fi (Carleton-Guest), numerous power outlets in study carrels |
Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.
Cheap Showers & Public Baths
Section titled “Cheap Showers & Public Baths”| Location | Cost | Address (Google Maps) | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton Athletics (Fitness Centre) | 15 CAD | 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 | Day pass required for shower access; student access is included in tuition |
Getting Around Cheaply
Section titled “Getting Around Cheaply”- Best Way to Move Around: O-Train (Line 2) and OC Transpo buses
- Standard Fare:
3.8CAD - Transit Scams to Avoid: None
SIM Cards & Internet
Section titled “SIM Cards & Internet”- Best Budget Carrier: Public Mobile / Freedom Mobile / Chatr
- How to Keep Data Costs Low: Freedom Mobile $99/year prepaid plan or Public Mobile points-discounted monthly plans.
Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid
Section titled “Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid”Common Local Scams
Section titled “Common Local Scams”| Scam | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| None | N/A |
Areas to Avoid at Night:
Section titled “Areas to Avoid at Night:”None