The Toronto Island Airport, also referred to as Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto City Centre Airport, or by its airport code YTZ, has become an increasingly popular option for regional travelers moving in and out of Toronto. Its central location on Toronto’s Harbourfront area at the base of Bathurst Street allows for easy access to the downtown core, making the airport a preferred travel option for business clients. YTZ’s main operator, Porter Airlines, has also made its operations out of the airport fast, comfortable, and affordable with many added amenities.

With its many advantages in mind, the challenges of the Toronto Island Airport must be acknowledged as well. The airport terminal being on an island in the harbor that is accessible only by use of a pedestrian/vehicular ferry (at least until the underground pedestrian tunnel now under construction is completed) presents an obstacle to convenience and ease when it comes to chauffeured transportation service.

However, Global Alliance offers our valued clients a choice of options to tailor transfers to YTZ to their requirements. When reserving transportation dropping off at Toronto Island Airport, our reservations specialists will ask clients if they or their passengers would like to exit the vehicle on the mainland or on the island side.

A mainland drop will incur no additional fee beyond the pre-arranged transfer fee to YTZ. Passengers will exit the vehicle next to the taxi queue by the small mainland terminal building and board the cross-channel ferry with other pedestrian travelers to be taken to the island terminal where security and flight boarding occurs. In the case of an island side drop-off, passengers will remain in the Global Alliance vehicle, which will wait to board the ferry, drive onto the island side, and deposit passengers at the terminal there. A ferry fee for the vehicle, generally CDN$11, applies to this second option.

The more preferable of these two options depends entirely upon the passenger. It’s worth keeping in mind that the pedestrian deck on the island ferry is open to both the public and to the elements, offering partial shelter in lower temperatures and little privacy at any time. Passengers sensitive to either of these concerns may wish to pay the additional ferry fee to travel across in the comfort and privacy of a Global Alliance vehicle. Alternately, budget-conscious clients may wish to avoid the ferry fee, especially if the weather is pleasant or if vehicle boarding lines for the ferry are longer.

Whichever option our clients choose for transfers to the Toronto Island Airport, Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services strives to maximize convenience and comfort and customize our passengers’ service experience while in our care. Speak to your reservations specialist today for more information about and insight into transfers to the City Centre Airport.