Toronto Island Airport (YTZ) Flights & Information

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is one of the coolest airports I have ever flown into – and I’ve been to my fair share around the world. The small airport is located right in the center of the Toronto Islands and offers spectacular views of the Toronto city center upon takeoff and landing.

The regional airport is incredibly convenient for anyone visiting Downtown Toronto due to its location in the center of town, but it’s also a great airport for its simple design and very fast airport security. I always choose this airport when flying from Toronto to another destination in Canada or the United States.

The following outlines everything you need to know about YTZ and why it’s a great option for flying to and from the biggest city in Canada.

Arriving at YTZ

The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is very low volume, which means that arriving at this airport is pretty low-stress and doesn’t take a ton of time. If you’re flying into Toronto from a domestic flight within Canada, you’ll be dumped out to the arrivals and baggage claim within a few short minutes. The baggage claim is fast and you can plan to be out of the arrivals area in under 15 minutes.

If you’re flying into the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from the United States (the airport only services Canada and select US destinations), you’ll have to go through Canadian customs before making your way to baggage claim, but I’ve never had to wait for more than a few minutes to do this. The process is quick and there are seldom long lines because most flights here are small planes.

Those with a layover at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport should note that you often will have to pick up your baggage before continuing onward to the United States or another destination within Canada. You’ll want to make sure to do this before heading onward to your gate or you’ll have to exit the security side to find and drop off your bag, and then go through security again.

Getting to and from the airport by public transportation

The public transportation options for getting to and from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are honestly some of the best and most convenient I’ve seen anywhere in the world, largely due to its position at the very edge of the downtown core.

There are free shuttle buses that depart to and from the Toronto Union Station every 15 minutes, which makes it easy and affordable to get to the airport without the need for a rental car or taxi. The complimentary buses are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi onboard – they’re super reliable and you’ll often see airport personnel using this service as well.

If you’re nowhere near Union Station, you can also take the TTC streetcar down to Queens Quay West at Bathurst Street and walk the rest of the way to the airport (yes, really). It’s only about a 9-minute walk from the last streetcar stop to the airport and it’s a fairly flat and easy journey.

Interestingly, you could technically walk to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from the downtown core of Toronto. It’s about half an hour from the CN Tower, for example, but you certainly wouldn’t want to do this with any luggage more than a light backpack.

Getting to and from the airport by car

While I prefer taking public transportation to and from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, there are also the options of taking a cab or renting a car from this airport. It’s only about a 4-minute drive from the airport to the downtown core or about 50 minutes to cities in the greater Toronto area, such as Mississauga or Markham.

The taxi situation at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is regulated and straightforward, so you won’t have to worry about getting into unlicensed taxis or falling into any kind of scam situation. The two major taxi services in Toronto are Beck Taxi and Co-Op Cabs but any of the taxis lined up outside the airport will be safe and reliable.

You can also use rideshare platforms like Uber when booking a car service from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This might be cheaper than a taxi service depending on where you’re going and the traffic at the time. You’ll also want to ensure you go to the proper rideshare area in the passenger pick-up zone in order to avoid any mishaps with the driver (this is clearly marked within the airport).

Security lines

The security lines at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are nothing to be worried about. The regional airport is very small and there is rarely a long line at security. The airport does offer Nexus and certain privileges for credit card holders when passing through security, but it’s very rarely required. You’ll still want to show up to the airport with time to spare but don’t worry about having a long wait.

If you’re flying from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport into the United States, you won’t be required to pass through US customs in Canada, like you would at larger international airports. Instead, you’ll go through customs upon arrival into the United States.

Free Wi-Fi at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

I was very happy to learn that the YTZ offers free Wi-Fi everywhere within the airport. It’s fast and reliable and you can use it on multiple devices rather than having to toggle between your smartphone and laptop, for example.

It’s also worth noting that the airport doesn’t require a phone number or for you to sign up at a kiosk. You simply select the free Wi-Fi from your device and agree to the terms and conditions in order to connect. There’s also no time restraint – you can use the Wi-Fi for the duration of your wait at the airport.

Souvenir shopping

There isn’t a ton of shopping at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport but you will find some Toronto merch if you’re short on gifts. There’s a Hudson Travel Essentials equipped with all your common travel needs as well as uniquely Torontonian goods like Blue Jays caps and other Toronto-centric tchotchkes. There’s also a small duty-free shop located within the transborder passenger lounge with a decent selection of perfumes, alcohol, electronics and other duty-free classics.

Lounges

The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is designed to feel like a lounge all throughout the airport, and the passenger waiting areas are referred to as lounges. They offer an intimate feel that is less overwhelming than your average gate areas. There are tables and chairs sprinkled around the waiting areas rather than just rows of benches, plus a handful of restaurants around the perimeter of the waiting lounge.

If you’re looking for a more traditional lounge (one that requires a membership or day pass to enjoy), Billy Bishop offers the Aspire | Air Canada Café. This lounge is quite casual and on the small side, but it’s a great option for those looking to enjoy some peace and quiet, and perhaps a complimentary coffee or cocktail before the flight.

The lounge is open to all Star Alliance Gold and Aeroplan members who hold status, as well as those with Priority Pass, DragonPass or a business class ticket.

Service animal relief areas at YTZ

If you’re traveling with a service animal or a furry family member, you’ll be pleased to note that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport makes it easy to take care of your animals while traveling. The airport offers a total of 3 different pet relief areas, which is a lot given that this airport is very small.

The first relief area is outside the airport building before security just south of the main entrance. The others are post-security. There’s one on the domestic side near the connections desk and another on the transborder side on the departures level. The animal relief areas are equipped with artificial fire hydrants and grass as well as complimentary waste bags.