Ferry to Toronto Islands: A 5-Step Guide

Step 1: Find the ferry to Toronto Islands

The ferry to Toronto Islands leaves from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W. The City of Toronto places it at Queens Quay West and Bay Street, set back 100 metres south of the corner, behind the Westin Harbour Castle.

Transit is the easy way in. The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) says to take Line 1 to Union Station, then any streetcar southbound to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks Station, then walk south to the docks. A TTC fare does not cover the boat. A separate ferry fare is required. For more ways around the city, see getting around Toronto.

You cannot park at the ferry terminal. The City says off-site parking may be available at third-party lots around the area, but it names no lots and lists no prices. No official page gives a lot name or a rate, so check a lot's own rates before you drive. Leave the car at your hotel if you can.

Pro Tip Leave your own bike at the docking station at the terminal, then pick up a Bike Share Toronto bike on the island. Bike Share bikes are not allowed on the ferry, so you return the island bike before you head back.

Step 2: Buy your ticket before you arrive

An adult round trip costs CA$9.57, and the ticket works for any island dock. You can buy tickets online or at any open booth at the terminal. A ticket bought in person is valid only on the day you buy it.

Online tickets are valid until December 31 of the year you buy them, and you can forward the PDF to a friend. Tickets are non-refundable. Buying 10 or more round trips earns a 10 per cent discount.

Buying online also saves time. Online ticket holders use an express line during peak travel times. Peak hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. going to the islands and 5 to 9 p.m. coming back, and waits at peak can pass 30 to 60 minutes.

At the booths you can pay with cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Cash works at the terminal only.

Key Takeaway A CA$9.57 adult ticket covers every island dock and the way back from any of them, so you can land at Hanlan's Point and return from Ward's Island.

Step 3: Check the season and the timetable

The ferries run all year, but the schedule changes with the season. The City's schedule page lists four seasons, and only summer has every route at full strength.

In winter, plan on Ward's Island. Its winter departures run from about 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., and no other route has a winter list. The City gives no sailing interval, but the winter list shows a boat every 15 to 45 minutes when you count both directions. For spring, summer and fall, the page says exact schedules will be posted once confirmed, so no official page gives a summer interval yet. It gives no crossing time, so read the timetable for your day and leave some slack.

Weather can change plans. All ferry schedules are subject to change because of weather or mechanical issues, and it offers a sign-up for service updates from the terminal.

The ferry is the wrong pick if you only have an hour. At peak times the line alone can take 30 to 60 minutes, so a short cruise may suit you better.

Step 4: Pick your dock and plan the island

The City does not rank the docks, so use these rules. Pick Centre Island on a first summer visit, because it is the middle dock. Pick Ward's Island in winter, because it is the only route with a winter timetable. Pick Hanlan's Point only if you want its beach.

The three docks are far apart on foot. These are the walking times between docks.

Centre Island has a visitor information booth, and first aid is near its dock. Ward's Island has a public washroom near its beach and a heated waiting shed in winter, with limited seating. The amusement park there, Centreville, says it is closed until spring 2027, so rides are off for now. Entry to the park is free, and you pay only for rides when it is open.

Hanlan's Point has a beach, and the City notes that it is clothing-optional. The City's beach page says lifeguards are not on duty and there is no beach maintenance until summer 2027. It adds that swimming without supervision is not recommended.

Cars are not allowed on the islands. Only emergency and commercial vehicles may drive there. You can bring your own bike, stroller, wagon or paddle craft on the ferry. E-bikes are allowed at staff discretion. Bike Share Toronto bikes cannot go on the boat, but there are stations on the islands.

Pets must stay on a leash. Open alcohol is not allowed. The terminal, the boats and the washrooms are accessible, and priority boarding is available if you ask.

The best way to learn an island is on foot or on two wheels, with no engine in earshot.

Once you land, Toronto Centre Islands shows what to do at each dock, from the beach to the bike paths. The Best Travel Destinations' count of GetYourGuide listings for the Toronto area in October 2026 found 5 that name the Toronto Islands in the title, from €17.94 to €86.87 per person, and none of them is the city ferry.

Step 5: Decide if a cruise or a bike tour fits

Go alone if you only want to land on the islands, and book a tour if you want a guide or a view from the water. A harbour cruise shows you the islands from the water but does not take the place of the ferry. The two cruises below describe a narrated trip around the harbour, and neither listing says the boat lands on the islands. For a wider look at boat trips, see Toronto harbor tours.

The one-hour harbour and islands cruise is from €25 per person and meets at 145 Queens Quay W. It is run by Toronto Harbour Tours Inc., and the listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. It lasts 1 hour, gives no group size and lists tips as not included. The 45-minute guided harbour cruise is from €18 per person and meets at 235 Queens Quay W. It is run by Shop Dine Tour, also with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. It gives no group size, and food, drinks and tips are not included.

A bike tour puts you on the island itself. The morning or twilight islands bike tour is from €87 per person, lasts 3.5 hours and lists the ferry ticket as included. It meets at 124 St Patrick St, is run by Toronto Bicycle Tours and includes a bike, helmet, water, snacks and a guide. The listing gives no group size, and free cancellation runs up to 24 hours ahead. The waterfront and islands guided bike tour is from €70 per person, also 3.5 hours, with a small group and a bike, helmet and water. You need basic cycling skills for it. Check its listing for the operator, meeting point and what is not included.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide.

Is a tour worth it, or should you go alone? The ferry costs CA$9.57 and you can explore for free, so going alone is the cheaper choice. A tour is worth it when you want stories from a guide or you do not want to plan the day. A cruise is worth it when you only want the view, because it will not land you on the sand.

Both cruises and both bike tours show strong ratings on GetYourGuide, with 4.7 from 3,207 reviews for the one-hour cruise and 4.85 from 345 reviews for the morning bike tour. The 45-minute cruise shows 4.66 from 491 reviews, and the waterfront bike tour shows 4.9 from 153. Check each listing for its meeting point and cancellation terms before you book.