Coach Hire Canada

From the island airport to your hotel, together

Billy Bishop sits on Toronto Island, a few minutes across the water from downtown. No vehicle collects you at the terminal itself: your group crosses to the mainland first, and the driver meets you there.

Tunnel or ferry

Once the bags are in hand you have two ways across. The pedestrian tunnel runs under the Western Channel, with elevators and moving walkways, and the walk between the curb and check-in takes under six minutes. The ferry is quicker still, a crossing of about 90 seconds that leaves every 15 minutes.

With toddlers, strollers or a bride's dress bag to carry, the moving walkways are gentle going. With a big party, the ferry keeps everybody in one load. Both bring you out at the mainland pavilion at the foot of Eireann Quay, where Bathurst Street meets the lake.

Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats
Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats

The terminals

  • Mainland pavilion and ferry terminal (2 Eireann Quay)
  • Island terminal (Toronto Island)

Good to know at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

  • Taxis collect passengers at the taxi corral to the right of the mainland pavilion; rideshare pick-up is along the curb beside Little Norway Park in the Finger lanes.
  • A complimentary airport shuttle runs about every 15 minutes between the mainland pavilion and 44 York Street, beside the Fairmont Royal York across from Union Station.
  • The ferry also carries vehicles to the island terminal for a fee; the airport does not publish vehicle-size limits for the crossing.
  • For coach groups this means meeting on the mainland: passengers walk through the tunnel (elevators and moving walkways) or ride the ferry, and board at the Eireann Quay curb.
  • The airport is on Toronto Island; the terminal is reached through an 853-ft pedestrian tunnel under the Western Channel (under six minutes curb to check-in) or by a 90-second ferry crossing of about 121 m that runs every 15 minutes.

Where your driver pulls in

The curb outside the mainland pavilion is a no-parking zone, used only while people are getting in or out. Spaces inside the turning circle allow a five-minute wait at most, and anyone arriving early is directed to the airport's parking. Timing matters more here than at a big airport.

There's no published coach pickup area and no coach parking, which is one reason a minibus or Sprinter suits Billy Bishop better than a full-size coach. A good habit: text the driver as you step onto the ferry or into the tunnel, not before the luggage is off the belt.

Airport shuttle bus or a booked minibus

Downtown is about 3 km away. The airport also runs a free shuttle, roughly every quarter hour, across to the Fairmont Royal York at 44 York Street, opposite Union Station. That trip takes about 15 minutes in normal traffic, which is a fair guide to the drive. A booked vehicle goes on to your own hotel, whether it's on Queens Quay, King Street West or up in Yorkville.

Your questions

Can the vehicle drive over to the island to collect us?

The ferry does carry vehicles for a fee, but the airport publishes no size limits for the crossing. Plan on meeting on the mainland; it's the arrangement the airport describes for groups.

One of us is heading somewhere else. Where are the taxis?

Look right as you leave the mainland pavilion for the taxi corral; rideshare cars use the curb beside Little Norway Park. Your group vehicle stays at the pavilion curb.

Is Billy Bishop a good pick for a family visit to Toronto?

It lands you close to the waterfront and downtown hotels, so the ride is short. If you're staying near the airport strip in Mississauga or heading out of the city, compare flights into Toronto Pearson as well.

Does Billy Bishop have its own shuttle bus into the city?

Yes, it's free and runs roughly every quarter hour to the Fairmont Royal York. A booked minibus takes the whole party on to your own hotel instead.

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