Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Unlike most urban airports, Billy Bishop has no real 'airport zone': the terminal sits on Toronto's islands, a stone's throw from the downtown waterfront, and is reached from the foot of Bathurst Street by a free pedestrian ferry that crosses the channel in about 90 seconds (departures every 15 minutes, from 5:15am until past midnight), or by the underwater pedestrian tunnel, opened in 2015, walkable in just a few minutes with no need for the boat. That's why there's no point distinguishing here between 'airport area' and 'city': those staying in the waterfront neighbourhoods, from CityPlace to Exhibition Place, are already minutes from check-in. The choice really comes down to the distance on foot or by streetcar from the Bathurst Street terminal.

CityPlace and Fort York

Neighbourhood · From the ferry and tunnel terminal, at the foot of Bathurst Street, the CityPlace neighbourhood (Fort York Boulevard, Iceboat Terrace) is reached in about 10-15 minutes on foot along the waterfront, or in one or two streetcar stops on lines 509 Harbourfront or 511 Bathurst.

Best for: Travellers who want the shortest possible transfer to the ferry or tunnel, staying in a waterfront condo with a city or lake view.

Pros

No real transfer: the ferry/tunnel terminal is reachable on foot in a quarter of an hour or less
Residential neighbourhood with supermarkets, gyms and the historic Fort York park just steps away, useful for those arriving hours ahead of their flight

Cons

Few restaurants and evening venues compared to the heart of downtown, further east
Almost all are condos managed by private hosts on Booking.com: check-in times, front desk service and amenities vary from property to property

Recommended hotels in this area

1 Bedroom Condo with a Romantic View Iceboat Terrace Downtown Toronto: Apartment with balcony at 21 Iceboat Terrace, in the heart of CityPlace, about 1 km from the ferry and tunnel terminal on Bathurst Street; city and lake views.
1 Bedroom Condo with Balcony Fort York Downtown Toronto: Studio with balcony in one of the Fort York Boulevard condos, between CityPlace and the waterfront; an area with a Walk Score of 90 and Transit Score of 91 according to real estate data, minutes from the ferry terminal.
1 Bedroom plus Den Condo Garden View Fort York Downtown Toronto: Studio with den and garden view in a Fort York Boulevard condo, in the same area as CityPlace; useful for those travelling with luggage who want to stay close to the ferry and tunnel terminal.

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Exhibition Place and the Entertainment District

City centre · Streetcar 509 Harbourfront links the Exhibition Loop terminus, in front of Hotel X Toronto, to the ferry/tunnel terminal on Bathurst Street in about 10 minutes, with frequent departures; by taxi, 5-10 minutes is enough. From the Entertainment District, around the Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the terminal is reached in about 15-20 minutes on foot or a few minutes by streetcar or taxi.

Best for: Travellers who prefer a true chain hotel or want to stay in the heart of downtown's venues and museums, accepting a few extra minutes by streetcar or taxi to the ferry.

Pros

Hotel X Toronto is inside the Exhibition Place grounds, practically facing the airport from across the channel
The Entertainment District offers restaurants, the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre within walking distance, with a richer evening scene than CityPlace

Cons

None of these properties is reachable on foot in under 15 minutes from the ferry/tunnel terminal: a streetcar or taxi is still needed
During events at the Rogers Centre or the Convention Centre, traffic increases and room prices rise

Recommended hotels in this area

Hotel X Toronto, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel: On Princes' Boulevard, inside Exhibition Place and a stone's throw from the Princes' Gates, right across from Billy Bishop on the other side of the channel; streetcar 509 Harbourfront links the adjacent Exhibition Loop to the Bathurst Street terminal. Rooftop panoramic pool and gym for those with a few hours before their flight.
1 BR plus Ent District, MTCC, Jays: Studio in the Entertainment District, a few minutes on foot from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Rogers Centre; convenient for those who want to stay in the heart of downtown and reach the ferry terminal with a short streetcar or taxi ride.

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