Billy Bishop Airport Profile

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The Billy Bishop Airport, also commonly referred to as the Toronto Island Airport and formerly named the Toronto City Centre Airport, airport code YTZ, is just off the shore of downtown Toronto. The airport is served by Porter Airlines, Air Canada and charter helicopter and aircraft.

Ferry service to and from the airport is included in any airline ticket and takes just a few minutes, but as of 2015, a pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks also gives terminal access to passengers.

*Updated January 2020*

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Why Would Passengers Choose the Billy Bishop Airport?

Photo courtesy Travel Ink / Getty Images

Porter Airlines and Air Canada serve the airport.

Currently, Porter services 17 destinations (some seasonally) in Canada and 5 in the U.S.A.

Canada: Toronto, Halifax, Moncton, Mont Tremblant, Montreal, Muskoka, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saint John (NB), Sault Ste. Marie, St. Johns (NL), Stephenville, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Windsor.

U.S.A.: Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago and Myrtle Beach.

If you are flying between any of these destinations, Porter is an excellent option for convenience and excellence of service. Read why Porter Airlines is so great.

Porter Airlines partners with JetBlue out of Boston to connect to other U.S. and southern destinations.

Air Canada also flies out of the Toronto Island Airport, but only to Montreal.

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How Do I Get to Billy Bishop Airport?

Billy Bishop Airport Pedestrian Tunnel — Billy Bishop Airport

Shuttle Service: Porter Airlines offers a free shuttle service every 10 or 15 minutes on the south side of Front St., just past the southwest corner of York and Front streets, near Starbucks. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes to get to the Airport Ferry. You can even check into your flight at the Porter kiosk in Union Station - just follow the signs for "Skywalk."

By Car: Given the unusual, downtown setting of Billy Bishop Airport, parking on-site is limited, with the majority of it located just off-site. There are three Billy Bishop Airport parking lots:

1. South end of Stadium Road, two streets west of Bathurst St. and the ferry terminal. A couple minute walk on a sidewalk to ferry terminal. No reservations.

2. Closest option is on-site island parking. Parking fee does not include ferry cost for car. Reserve online.

3. Canada Malting facility, just east of Bathurst. A couple minute walk. No reservations.

Targeted mostly for long-term parking, 2 kilometers away is parking in a large facility with airport shuttle service. Book this service in advance.

Another great, cheap option is to drive to a GO Station with free parking (such as Oakville) and take the GO train to Union Station for the free shuttle.

Public Transit: TTC streetcars 509 from Bathurst Station and 511 from Union Station stop near the airport. However, if you are coming from Union Station, the shuttle is probably easier.

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Getting to the Terminal

Image courtesy Porter Airlines. View in Google Maps

Once you arrive at the main airport entrance, you need to either take the ferry or walk the underground tunnel to get to the airport terminal. The Airport Ferry is located at the foot of Bathurst Street. The ferry ride is free for travellers and non-travellers and takes only a few minutes. At 121 metres, it is in fact one of the shortest ferry trips in the world - and leaves about every 15 minutes.

The ferry is the only option for people parking their car at the island parking lot. Cost for a car is CAD$14 (as of 2020), free for people.

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