Take the water taxi. They don't follow their posted schedule and there is zero communication. You can stare at an empty ferry for in line for hours with no explanation. Turns out they were short staffed but didn't bother to tell the massive crowd that was waiting. Avoid. read more

Enjoyed my ride. It was short overall and worth the time and effort to reach Toronto Islands.

City of Toronto should be utilizing the Presto card system to pay fares. It is easy city gets to minimize transaction fees and a very high percentage of Toronto residents already have one. Even tourists get a Presto card to ride UPexpress and TTC. Toronto has a big investment in the PRESTO system, and it staff. Why is the parks department running an inefficient parallel system with a separate website for buying tickets. The Toronto parks dept does not have the in-house expertise in the maintenance of the new electronic ferries. In fact the appropriate planning for the electrical infrastructure did not happen under the parks department, so it was delighted to a more appropriate department. The same thing should happen with the island ferry fare payment system. Put it in the hands of PRESTO. Upgrade the ferries to PRESTO card now. read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - city from the water side beautiful! - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The islands are a 5-star destination, a big park with a great variety of activities. The ferry got the job done, nice views of the city and pretty quick once on. But it doesn't seem to run on time very well, it's very popular on a nice summer weekend, and there's no way to reserve a spot on a specific departure -- so in each direction, we were among the last to board, lots of people got left behind waiting for the next one, which can be nearly another hour. Later seeing the reasonable price for the water taxis, that seems worth considering as an alternative. read more

They have 3 separate ferries that go to Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island. The schedule for each of these ferries varies depending on the season; fro example, the ferries only travel to Ward's Island in wintertime. The terminal is well-managed and the ferries leave the station on-time. Ferries travel every 30-45 minutes (depending on the time of the day). They get very busy in summertime and there will a huge lineup to get onboard. You can buy tickets online or at the gate. read more

Bought the ticket online. Got in fairly quickly even though the crowds at the entrance seemed daunting. Crowded getting into the ferry but not bad. read more

We had a wonderful time on the ferry over to Centre Island and back to Toronto. The ferry was late coming in by over 20 minutes, but we didn't drown, so I'll take it. read more

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***Toronto Island Ferry is a reasonably priced way (at least compared to the water taxis) to get to the Toronto Islands; the mainland Toronto port is near Union Station and departs every 30 minutes on weekends; it is a quick and nice ride to and from the islands (a good breeze and a beautiful view of Toronto's skyline); ticket prices are roundtrip and you pay when boarding in mainland Toronto (they don't check tickets on the return trip); the lines here to buy tickets though can get incredibly long on weekends*** I noticed a few pay parking lots around the port. read more

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They tend to get crowded during peak times and some of them smell like day-old pee. But it's all good when you stand on the open-air deck and feel the breeze off of Lake Ontario on a hot, summer day and take in the view of the surrounding Toronto cityscape. $6.50 roundtrip for adults to: Centre Island Ward's Island Hanlan's Point Portlands No charge to bring bikes on board but you can only take your wheels to Hanlan's and Ward's Island on weekends. read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - ferry - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I'm on a boat! Loved that it was $7.50ca round-trip to go wander on Toronto Island. I used the service midafternoon on a weekday so the crowds were minimal. The staff was really nice (those polite Canadians) and the boat ride was quick. People in the know ran for the seats in the front so I followed along. Wow it was chilly out on the open water. Definitely a great way to see the city skyline and wander the island for a bit. read more

I had so much fun riding the ferry and it's super big and the taxis are $10 a person don't get scammed like we did. The ferry is $8 adult $5 for senior and kids. And it's free on the way back read more

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I don't have much to say positive about the ferry, other than...it works? The vessels must be at least 50 years old and they only have one accessible entrance about 10' wide, so it takes almost 10 minutes to unload and another 10 to load (when busy). The windows are small and cheap fibreglass which you can barely see through. You feel as though you're being herded like cattle at the gate area, and the lines are disorganized which allows some idiots to sneak ahead. Too little parking nearby as well. Though the ferries are supposed to be every half hour, we waited nearly an hour to leave the island and sure enough the second ferry was only 2 minutes behind the first. They charge $7.50 for adults which isn't the worst price gauging, but you'll find way better service from ferries run in other cities for cheaper or even free. Each trip probably brings in several thousand dollars to the city, and it's clearly something they're using as a cash cow rather than putting the money back into improving the service itself. But, it works. read more

Cash only lines move way faster than the other ticket lines, but the wait wasn't too bad even though we were there at 2pm on a weekday. The ferries include fare back. During the summer they leave every half hour if you're going during the afternoon. Quite a few people bring their bikes on - they even fit a minivan on the way back. Clean, quick and efficient - they don't really try to squeeze too many people on at once, which makes for a more comfortable ride. Also, if you're 19 and under you get reduced fare! Also you get an awesome view of the skyline on the way there! read more

I go over to the islands a lot in the summer. I'd just like to point out that this section of Yelp is for the Toronto Island Ferry which is run by the city and NOT about privately run companies taking people between downtown and the islands or on tours. The Toronto Island Ferry costs $7.87 return for an adult and it's a short, enjoyable ride across the inner harbour. If you're visiting Toronto I'd recommend the ferry to get you over to the islands for a fun day in the sun. You can buy tickets for the island ferry online at: https://secure.toronto.ca/FerryTicketOnline/tickets/index.jsp read more

This review is actually of my ferry ride to Billy Bishop Airport. It could be the quickest ferry ride you do in your life! 5 minutes to catch your flight? Quick convenient and efficient? This was my experience. 2nd review of the main ferry over to Toronto Island which is much longer but a great magical place to come on a spring, summer or fall evening. Toronto island is an oasis getaway from the traffic, noise and buzz of busy city life to a place where you can experience tranquility and calm. The ferry ride has always been fun for me as you get awesome views of the Toronto skyline and harbour front that changes your perspective of this crazy busy metropolis. I've never timed it but it must be a good 20 minute ferry ride on a non windy-wavy day! read more

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I'm a New Yorker who recently visited Toronto for four days. While I was in Toronto, I wanted to visit Toronto Island. The only way to reach Toronto Island is via the ferry (or swim across the Inner Harbour...). The ferry costs $8 (the return trip is free). Obviously, the money isn't being spent on the upkeep of the ferry fleet. The ferry boat looks like it was made back when Canada was still a British colony. There is a steep ramp from the ferry dock to the boat. I saw many parents with kids in strollers struggling to get up the ramp. The Staten Island Ferry in my hometown is free and has larger and sleeker boats than the Toronto Island Ferry. The only redeeming quality of the Toronto Island Ferry is the impeccable view of the Toronto skyline. read more

Great way to get to the Toronto Islands. My family (2 adults and 2 teenagers) visited Toronto in July 2019. Went on a Saturday morning to the Toronto Islands. Buy your ticket in advance online, otherwise you'll be waiting in a very long line, probably in the hot sun. It's only about $6 per person, so not a bad price. Overall, fine experience. read more

Next time I head to the island I'll take a water taxi. It's not much more and it's more reliable. Going to the island was no problem. The last ferry was suppose to leave Hanlans at 10PM and didn't show up until close to 11! I called then number to ask if maybe me and the other 100 people waiting had missed it somehow( I got there at 945) the lady on the other end was SO rude and ended up hanging up in my face. She told me that I'll have to wait longer or just " take a cab, this isn't my problem." Which she is correct, next time we will take a cab, thanks for the tip. When you work for the city I guess you don't have to have customer service skills? You'll make money if you lose a couple customers cause you know there will be many more anyways. Don't take it out in other cause you hate your job. read more

One of the two ways to get to the Toronto Island. And probably the more reasonable (your alternative is getting a water taxi). Don't say that you haven't been warned - it gets pretty busy, but the ferries come often so you don't have to wait too too long. My advice would be to go to Ward Island first because the line is a lot shorter. One downside is that they only accept CASH. For a Credit Card person, this posed a problem. Thankfully my friend had some cash in her wallet and we were able to buy three tickets. Unless there's a bridge option, I'll be using the Ferry to get to the Islands. Good for: out-of-towners, weekending read more

Quick (and I mean like 5 minutes from boarding til disembarking), safe, friendly and super easy! We took the ferry just for the experience of taking our shortest shuttle ride ever. It was clean and comfortable, and dropped us off within walking distance of our hotel. read more

I visited Toronto this past weekend with my sister and we decided to check out the Toronto Islands. We had heard there was some flooding on the islands but figured it was worth a trip to get a great view of the city skyline. The weather on Saturday was cloudy, then rainy, then hot and sunny, then rainy, then cloudy again but we decided to brave the trip anyway. We parked near the ferry terminal for $7 CAD at a condo building's parking ramp off of Queens Quay and jumped in line at the ferry terminal. The line moved very quickly and when we got up to pay it was only $7 CAD per person round trip. Not too bad at all! There was a ferry waiting as we arrived to so we hopped on board. Within seconds it started pouring. We sat on the top deck which is covered and has an unobstructed view of the city. There are plenty of life preservers all over the ferry so we felt pretty safe in the event of an accident. The trip to Centre Island took about 10 minutes and when we arrived the rain stopped, the sun came out, and we were back on terra firma. The trip back was a little more stressful. There are other private companies offering trips to the islands on pontoon boats but they don't return their passengers to the ferry terminal. Instead everyone rides the big Toronto Ferry Company ferries back to the ferry terminal. We wanted to leave the island around 5pm and the line to get on the ferry filled up the corral and was snaking along the path towards the amusement park. There were tons of bikes and strollers in line too, some of which couldn't fit through the corral. A bit of a disaster if you ask me. We skipped ahead of these people by moving efficiently through the corral and found ourselves on the ferry close to the front doors for drop off. Before we knew it we were on our back to the city and 10 minutes later we were walking back to our car. This ferry is a great deal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The ferries run every 15 minutes or so and offer great views of the city and get you back and forth with relative ease. It also offers trips to other parts of the island too. If I'm back in Toronto and want to check out the islands again I'll definitely be using the ferry. Would definitely recommend. read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - View of one of the ferries from Centre Island on Labor Day weekend 2017. - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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went during the "winter season" so wards island was the only destination that was offered was happy with the ferry it self, not so happy with some of the workers, before i got onto the boat i was asked if i had a ticket, but i already handed it into another person to get to that stage? not so happy with the signage to get to the terminal, i took the ttc to the streetcar stop that was advertised to be linked with the terminal...not the case, you have to cross the street, then another street, and walk towards the lake and you will run into it. a little bit of a heads up, once you get passed the first checkpoint, your locked in, so if you have to wait for the ferry, might want to walk around a bit before hand. otherwise, wicked service, nice to get photos of everything on the way to the island. will be back read more

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What a bargain $6.50 roundtrip to Toronto Island. Since it's off season for Centreville, the only option was to Ward's Island. The ride ride was great - not overly crowded, peaceful, scenic and relaxing. You had the option of sitting inside or standing outside! A GREAT inexpensive way to view Toronto's skyline and harbourfront! It was fun seeing commuters on their bikes, workers in their vans/trucks and tourist all blended together on the ferry. read more

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This boat is really crowded but it does get you wherever you need to go. If you want to get a good seat than try to get there early but it still has good views. read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Ah, the Toronto Island Ferry. You're still the best way to get to the island. The only terrible thing about this ferry is the insane lineups to buy tickets and the dearth of seating in the waiting area (not for me, but for all the seniors that are heading to a picnic on the island). One of these things is easily remedied. How? ADVANCE TICKETS!!! This is my best tip for you. At the very very front counter, hidden away on the right, there is a spot to buy advance tickets. These NEVER EXPIRE. If you buy 10 at a time, you get 10% off. Then you get to walk past the insane lineup next time, put in your ticket (which is basically a raffle ticket. Try not to lose it.) and wait for the ferry. Classic example of how a little forethought will keep you from a ton of grief later on. read more

There are a number of ferries that serve the Toronto Islands, 3 of them municipal, serving Centre Island, Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point. The day we visited, we took the ferry to Centre island because it was the one leaving soonest. The ferry is OK, but pretty much just standard transportation. Pedestrians and bicycles (and wheelchairs one assumes) are the only means of transportation on the island (with some exceptions not open to the public.) Boarding is first come/first served, so the lines can be pretty long, especially on the return trip. It's a pretty nice, leisurely trip to the island, the boat isn't in any particular hurry. You get some good views of downtown from the boat, likely to be better from the upper deck. So don't expect a thrill ride to or from the islands, just expect some efficient transportation. read more

Little ferry terminal located in downtown Toronto. You get the ferries to the Toronto Islands from here. The lines can get quite long, so get here early, or take the ferries in the morning or evening. The waiting area and terminal itself is nothing extraordinary. It's extremely small, and there's no place to buy food, the bathrooms are gross, and no wi-fi. Compared to ferry terminals I've been to and seen in other major cities (such as in NYC), this one was lacking. Beautiful little gem to explore and to go to to take in the Toronto skyline during the day and night. When you take the ferry from the terminal in downtown, hop onto the Centre Island ferry. I would recommend taking the ferry right when the sun is about to go down, so you can see the city in daytime, sunset, and in the evening, and get a whole range of different photos. Upon arriving on the island (around 8:30PM), it was quite dark and a bit scary with no lights around. You have to walk across grass to get anywhere, there's no path or road. But the views and skyline are breathtaking, a definite visit. The ferry is cheap, and a quick ride to a great escape from the busy city life of Toronto. read more

I'm going to give this 5 stars, only because you can now buy your tickets online and print them at home to avoid the lineup to buy tickets at the terminal. Save yourself a wait in line and utilize this link: https://secure.toronto.ca/FerryTicketOnline/ And then, go enjoy a lovely day on the Toronto islands. read more

If you're reading this, chances are the weather is good (or will be good) unless you're a commuter and live on the island. Honestly, the Ferry is my last choice in getting to the island. I would rather go on a kayak or water taxi on the Harbourfront. Why? I just don't like to wait. I am not a princess, I am impatient. But water taxi will only leave if there are more than three passengers. You can call ahead if you want or go with a bunch of friends. Pricier for sure. From the island, you can ask the taxi to pick you up. The facility is cleanish. But this is a ferry and not Four Seasons. There are three different destinations depending on where you want to go. Pssst... nude beach is at Hanlan's point. Above you, you'll see plenty of shiny orange life jackets in case something happens. Translation: In the unlikely even that it sinks, you'll at least float on the water. There are cleanish washrooms. Motor is noisy adding to a rustic feel. It does feel like you just ran away from your mother... I mean... hustle and bustle of the city. The island is another story. It's a good place to meditate. You would want to go home before sunset, you would see the CN Tower and downtown Toronto slowly, being enveloped by darkness. read more

Grab some cash and head down to Harbourfront to catch a ride on a Toronto Island ferry. Although they can be crowded at times (seems like everybody wants to go to the islands these days), the ferries offer great views of the city, harbour and islands as you journey across Toronto Harbour. Crowds congregate to catch views of Toronto on both across and back...but don't panic as the islands offer fantastic views as well. read more

Kind of frustrating. Waited for 2 ferries. No refunds. Definitely stand in line and don't wait. I was suppose to get on the ferry at 3:30- they come every 30 minutes. I sat in the park until 3:15. When I got in line- it was huge. They have a cap of 220. I waited for the next ferry- same thing happened. I'm an out of towner and this was pretty annoying. I had to wait for someone to buy my ticket from me because the staff would not compensate my ticket. I'd take the taxi- reliable- quick- just 2 dollars more. read more

Has anyone given the Ferry a bad review? It's a trip to the island with the best views of the city.

$7 ferry ride!!! Bring a sweater if it's a chilly day. Bring a bike with u, the island is a great place to bike. There's also bike rental near the ticket counter $7(a day)or $15(3days). Great scenery, and a relaxing day to spend ur afternoon read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - Back from the island on the Toronto ferry ride - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

What a fun way to get to the island from the airport! We cannot wait to get back to Toronto to experience the Toronto Island Ferry again! Friendly staff and a very clean ferry make for very happy riders! read more

The island ferry...the wait is kind of long about 30 minutes to get pass the gates then another 5-15 for the next ferry. There are 3 ferries that takes you to 3 different locations on the island. Map of the island are supplied at the gates. Be sure to check for ferry hours unless you plan on staying. read more

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I've both driven across and walked across to get to the Billy Bishop airport and both ways are convenient, fast and the staff generally do a great job shepherding folks on and off the ferry in a timely manner. Since there is ongoing construction at the entrance to the car lineup, be wary of the signage and ongoing changes as you drive up to the line up. Even though they are making the tunnel option available in a couple years, ill always favour the ferry. read more

$7.25 roundtrip for adults. Student tickets ($4.75) are different here in Toronto than in NYC as they are additionally based on age (under 19). Most lines accept cash only but my friends and I lucked out on a line without that sign and they accepted credit card. read more

Toronto Islands Ferries - Ferries Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Make sure you watch the lines before you line up as some lines are long for no good reason. The cash lines move fast and get you in so get ready to pay cash. The cost is $7/adult. The cost is for a round trip. The Ferry itself is clean, quick and efficient and provides a good view of Toronto Skyline. There are lot of people with their bikes and dogs but you can still find seating. The ride isn't long so even standing should not be a problem. read more

As i have mentioned Toronnto island itself in a separate review, i will not be touching on again in much detail. This review is of the actually ferry service that runs to the island. Situated Spitting distances from the CN Tower and Toronto's CBD, The Ferry Terminal (if one can call it that), is small, and once your through the ticket booth, is a bit of a holding pen.so check times so you don't have lots of times on the water side waiting for your ferry, as there is nothing to do. But besides that, i have nothing bad to say about the services. Ferries are frequent, and reminiscent of the Hong Kong Star Ferry, only much smaller. The prices are 6.50 round trip, which for a 15mins ride, is alittle step, but Toronto island is desirable location. read more

While not always perfect, this ferry service is nonetheless brilliant. When last I took it out to the island there was nothing like feeling the wind in my hair as I left the sweltering city behind. The ticket you buy is good for the trip out and back so you can enjoy your day on the island & leave from any of 3 collection points. Brilliant in the summer & perfect if you are visiting. read more