The easiest way to get to the Toronto Islands is to reach Union Station, walk south toward Bay Street and Queens Quay West, and enter Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay W. If you are coming from Toronto Pearson Airport, take the UP Express to Union Station first, then continue on foot toward the ferry terminal.
The key point is simple: you are not walking directly to the islands. You are walking to the mainland ferry terminal. Once you find Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, the rest of the trip becomes much easier.
The route in one line
Union Station → Bay Street south → Queens Quay West and Bay Street → Jack Layton Ferry Terminal → ferry to Toronto Islands
This is the route to keep in your head.
Do not aim only for “the lake.” The waterfront is broad, and it is easy to reach open water without being at the correct ferry entrance. Your target is more specific:
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W
Why Union Station is the best starting point
Union Station is the best starting point because it connects the main ways visitors arrive in downtown Toronto.
It connects:
- TTC Line 1
- UP Express from Toronto Pearson Airport
- GO Transit
- VIA Rail
- downtown walking routes
From Union Station, the ferry terminal is close enough to walk. You do not need to make the route complicated with extra transfers unless weather, luggage, or mobility makes walking difficult.
The most important direction is:
Bay Street south
That is easier and more reliable than thinking only “toward the water.”
From Toronto Pearson Airport
From Toronto Pearson Airport, follow signs for the UP Express.
The route is:
- Board UP Express toward Union Station.
- Stay on until Union Station.
- Exit toward Bay Street / Front Street.
- Walk south on or toward Bay Street.
- Continue to Queens Quay West.
- Find Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay W.
- Join the correct ferry line for your island destination.
The UP Express ride from Pearson Airport to Union Station takes about 28 minutes. After that, add time for exiting Union Station, walking to the terminal, buying or scanning tickets, and waiting for the ferry.
Do not enter only “Toronto Islands” into a taxi app or map app if you are still on the mainland. The correct mainland target is Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
From Union Station to the ferry terminal
From Union Station, start by orienting yourself toward Bay Street.
Your walking route is not complicated:
Bay Street south → Queens Quay West → Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
The ferry terminal is not simply “somewhere along the waterfront.” City of Toronto describes it as being at 9 Queens Quay W, at the Queens Quay West and Bay Street intersection, set back about 100 metres south of the intersection behind the Westin Harbour Castle.
That detail matters.
When you reach Queens Quay West, do not start wandering east or west along the waterfront. Instead, look for the ferry terminal area set back behind the hotel. You are close when the surroundings begin to feel organized around ferry passengers, ticketing, waiting areas, and dock access.
Finding Jack Layton Ferry Terminal from Queens Quay
This is the part that matters most.
Once you reach Queens Quay West, use these anchors:
- Bay Street
- Queens Quay West
- Westin Harbour Castle
- Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
- 9 Queens Quay W
The terminal is set back from the street. That means it may not feel like the entrance is sitting directly in front of you as soon as you reach Queens Quay.
Do not stop just because you can see open water. The lake is a clue, not the destination.
Move toward the ferry-terminal entrance area behind the Westin Harbour Castle. Look for signs, ticket booths, waiting areas, ferry queues, and people moving toward the docks.
If you only see open lake views, restaurants, sidewalks, or general waterfront activity, pause and re-check your position. The ferry terminal should feel like a passenger facility, not just a scenic waterfront path.
Should you walk or use TTC waterfront service?
For most first-time visitors, walking from Union Station is the clearest route.
The walk is short, and the direction is simple: Bay Street south.
TTC waterfront service, including the 509 Harbourfront route or replacement service when in effect, can help if it is convenient for your timing. However, service patterns can change during construction or planned work, and you still need to reach Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the end.
If you are unsure, walk from Union Station. It removes one extra decision.
Taking the subway
If you are using the TTC subway, take Line 1 to Union Station.
Do not get off at a different downtown station just because it looks close on a map. Union Station gives you the cleanest route to Bay Street and the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive at Union, stop thinking about subway lines and start thinking about the walking anchor:
Bay Street south
Then continue toward Queens Quay West and Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
Taking GO Transit or VIA Rail
If you arrive by GO Transit or VIA Rail, you are already at Union Station.
Do not rush out through the first exit you see. Union Station is large, and a wrong exit can add confusion. Take a moment to orient toward Bay Street, Front Street, or the waterfront direction.
Once you are positioned correctly, walk south toward Queens Quay West.
If you feel yourself moving into denser office-tower streets, pause and re-orient. You should be moving toward the waterfront side of downtown.
Taxi or rideshare
A taxi or rideshare can take you close to the ferry-terminal area.
Use this destination:
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W
Do not use only “Toronto Islands.” Cars do not take you onto the islands. They take you to the ferry terminal on the mainland.
Taxi or rideshare is useful if:
- you have heavy luggage
- you are travelling with children
- the weather is poor
- you arrive late
- you want to avoid station exits and walking decisions
After drop-off, follow signs and passenger movement toward ticketing, waiting areas, and the ferry docks.
Choosing the right ferry
Toronto Islands are not one single landing point.
Depending on season and schedule, ferries may serve:
- Centre Island
- Hanlan’s Point
- Ward’s Island
Before joining a line, check which island dock matches your plan. Centre Island is often the familiar choice for first-time visitors, but Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island serve different parts of the islands.
Do not automatically join the first line you see. Read the destination signs.
Tickets, lines, and waiting time
The ferry is part of the route, not an afterthought.
During busy periods, the ferry terminal can become crowded. Weekends, holidays, summer days, and good-weather afternoons are the times when waits can be longer.
Buying tickets online in advance can reduce one source of friction, but it does not remove the need to find the correct terminal area and ferry line.
Give yourself a buffer if your schedule matters.
Common mistake: aiming only for the lake
This is the most common mistake.
The lake is broad. The ferry terminal is specific.
Seeing the water does not mean you are at the ferry entrance. You need:
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W
If you see open water but no ferry signs, no terminal entrance, no ticketing area, and no passenger queues, you are probably not at the right exact spot yet.
Common mistake: walking east or west along Queens Quay
Once you reach Queens Quay West, do not start walking randomly along the waterfront.
The useful anchor is the Bay Street and Queens Quay West area. The terminal is set back south of that intersection behind the Westin Harbour Castle.
If you are walking along Queens Quay and the terminal is not becoming clearer, stop and reset to Bay Street / Queens Quay West.
Common mistake: resetting at Bloor–Yonge
Do not reset at Bloor–Yonge for this route.
Bloor–Yonge is a major subway interchange, but it is too far away and does not solve the real problem. The problem is not the subway network. The problem is finding the ferry terminal from Union Station and the waterfront.
Use these reset points instead:
- Union Station
- Bay Street
- Queens Quay West and Bay Street
- Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W
If the route feels wrong
If you are still inside Union Station, reset to Bay Street and move south.
If you are already outside, reset to Bay Street and Queens Quay West.
If you are near the waterfront but cannot find the terminal, reset to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W.
Remember the key detail: the terminal is set back south of Queens Quay West and Bay Street, behind the Westin Harbour Castle.
Do not wander along the waterfront hoping the terminal will appear. Return to the address and the intersection.
Route comparison
| Route | Best for | Transfers | Main challenge | Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP Express to Union + walk | Pearson Airport arrivals | 0 | Finding terminal after Union | High |
| Subway Line 1 to Union + walk | Visitors already in Toronto | 0–1 | Moving south from Union | High |
| GO / VIA to Union + walk | Regional arrivals | 0 | Choosing the right Union exit | High |
| TTC waterfront service | Less walking if service fits | 0–1 | Checking current service and terminal approach | Medium |
| Taxi or rideshare | Luggage, poor weather, late arrival | 0 | Correct destination name | Very high |
FAQ
Where do I catch the ferry to Toronto Islands?
Catch the ferry at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W. It is near Queens Quay West and Bay Street, set back south of the intersection behind the Westin Harbour Castle.
What is the best station for Toronto Islands?
Use Union Station. From there, walk south toward Bay Street and Queens Quay West, then enter Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
How do I get to Toronto Islands from Pearson Airport?
Take the UP Express from Pearson Airport to Union Station. From Union, walk south toward Bay Street and Queens Quay West, then continue to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
Is there a subway to Toronto Islands?
No. The subway does not go to the islands. Use the subway to reach Union Station, then walk to the ferry terminal.
Should I walk from Union Station or take the streetcar?
Walking is usually the clearest first-time route. TTC waterfront service can help if it is convenient, but service patterns can change, and you still need to reach Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
What should I enter in a taxi app?
Enter Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W. Do not enter only “Toronto Islands.”
Which ferry should I take?
Check your destination before joining a line. Depending on the season and schedule, ferries may run to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Ward’s Island.
What if I get lost near the waterfront?
Reset to Bay Street and Queens Quay West, then look for Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay W. Do not walk randomly along the waterfront.
Quick checklist
- Use Union Station as the main transit anchor.
- From Union, think Bay Street south.
- Aim for Queens Quay West and Bay Street.
- The ferry terminal is Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
- The address is 9 Queens Quay W.
- The terminal is set back behind the Westin Harbour Castle.
- Do not aim only for the lake.
- Do not reset at Bloor–Yonge.
- Check the ferry destination before joining a line.
- Give yourself extra time during busy periods.
Sources checked
City of Toronto – confirmed Toronto Island ferries depart from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located at 9 Queens Quay W, at Queens Quay West and Bay Street, set back 100 metres south of the intersection behind the Westin Harbour Castle, plus peak crowding and ticket guidance – https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/toronto-island-ferries/ferry-ticket-passenger-information/
City of Toronto – confirmed Toronto Island ferry schedules and seasonal island destinations including Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Ward’s Island – https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/toronto-island-ferries/ferry-routes-schedules/
UP Express – confirmed Pearson Airport to Union Station service and 28-minute travel time – https://www.upexpress.com/en/up-express-stations
TTC – confirmed 509 Harbourfront service context and current TTC guidance encouraging passengers travelling from Union Station to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to walk south on Bay Street during 509 service changes – https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Important-changes-to-509-Harbourfront
