Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) sits on the Toronto Islands, less than 2 kilometres southwest of downtown’s financial district. It’s the only airport in North America located on an island still accessible primarily by ferry—a short 121-metre crossing from the mainland terminal. The airport handles regional and some US destinations, serving roughly 2.5 million passengers annually. Its single runway (08/26) is the shortest in use by commercial jets in Canada, at 1,216 metres, which limits aircraft to turboprops and small jets like the Bombardier Q400. The airport is named after World War I flying ace William Avery “Billy” Bishop, and its land is managed by PortsToronto, the same agency that runs Toronto’s port. For anyone flying into or out of downtown Toronto, this airport offers an alternative to the much larger Pearson International Airport—especially appealing for business travellers or tourists staying near the waterfront.

Getting There

Billy Bishop is unusually easy to reach from downtown Toronto. The passenger ferry departs every 15 minutes from the mainland terminal at 1 Queens Quay West, near the foot of Bathurst Street. The crossing takes about 90 seconds. Service runs from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM (or later, depending on flight schedules), with a free shuttle bus connecting the ferry dock to the terminal building on the island. Walking from Union Station takes roughly 20 minutes along the waterfront. Taxis and ride-shares drop passengers at the mainland terminal; parking there is limited and expensive (the paid parking lot is on the island side, but you must take the ferry to access it). A dedicated pedestrian tunnel connecting the island to the mainland—the Billy Bishop Tunnel—is under construction but not yet open; check current status. For cyclists, bike racks are available on the mainland side. The airport is not served by the TTC subway directly, but the 509 Harbourfront streetcar stops near the ferry dock. Driving from the Don Valley Parkway or Gardiner Expressway can be unpredictable; allow extra time during rush hours (especially around 1 PM on Monday and 6 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, the busiest times listed by the airport).

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is compact—two floors with a single concourse. On arrival, passengers walk from the plane across the tarmac into a ground-level baggage claim hall. The check-in area and security are on the second floor, accessed by stairs or an elevator (wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilets are available). Security queues are typically short, rarely exceeding 15 minutes. The departure lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runway and Toronto’s skyline. Seating is generous, with a mix of chairs and benches. Facilities are basic but adequate: a single café (serving coffee, sandwiches, and pastries), a newsstand, and free Wi-Fi. There are changing tables in both the men’s and women’s washrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Baggage storage is available near the check-in counters—useful for layovers or if you want to explore the islands without luggage. The terminal has no airline lounges. Note that the paid parking lot is on the island side, a short walk from the terminal; it offers both short-term and long-term spaces, but rates are high (around $30 per day). The airport is not open 24 hours; hours vary by season but generally the terminal opens 2 hours before the first flight and closes 30 minutes after the last arrival.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto

Billy Bishop’s prime location—minutes from downtown—defines its role in Toronto’s transport network. Toronto is Canada’s largest city, a multicultural hub with a population of nearly 3 million. Its skyline, dominated by the CN Tower, stretches along Lake Ontario. The city’s financial district, theatres, and major attractions like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Distillery District are within a 20-minute walk or short streetcar ride from the airport ferry. The harbourfront area itself is a destination: the Toronto Islands offer beaches, parks, and views of the city. Billy Bishop is the closest airport to the core, making it ideal for business travellers heading to Bay Street or tourists wanting immediate access to downtown hotels. The airport is also a gateway to Niagara Falls—about 90 minutes by car or bus—and to other parts of Southern Ontario via VIA Rail or GO Transit from Union Station. Toronto’s cultural diversity is reflected in its food scene: Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Little Italy are all nearby. The city has a vibrant sports culture (home to the Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Toronto FC) and hosts major events like the Toronto International Film Festival. Billy Bishop’s convenience encourages short hops to Ottawa, Montreal, New York, Boston, and Chicago, often making it the preferred option over Pearson for those who value time. The airport’s small size means you can go from curb to gate in about 15 minutes on a good day—an anomaly in major metropolitan airports.

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours; typical hours are 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM (confirm with the website for exact flight schedules). The phone number is +1 416-203-6942. The official website is https://www.billybishopairport.com/ for live updates. Facilities confirmed: wheelchair-accessible entrance, paid parking lot, on-site services, wheelchair-accessible car park, changing tables, baggage storage, wheelchair-accessible toilet, and standard toilets. The busiest times are Monday at 1 PM, Tuesday at 12 PM, Wednesday at 6 PM, and Thursday at 6 PM—avoid these if you want shorter queues. Tips: If you have luggage, use the baggage storage kiosk near check-in for a flat fee ($10-15). For parking, pre-book online to save a few dollars. The terminal has no duty-free shop, so buy souvenirs before arriving. Finally, a concrete piece of advice: Always take the ferry at least 30 minutes before your boarding time—the short crossing is reliable, but the queue can build up during peak hours.