TORONTO, August 4, 2026 – Families and seniors planning to visit the Toronto Islands in August may be able to save on ferry costs. Toronto City Council has approved a temporary measure allowing children, youth and seniors aged 65 and older to ride the City-operated Toronto Island ferry for free from August 1 to 31.
According to rules released by the City, the free fare applies to children aged two to 14, youth aged 15 to 19, and seniors aged 65 and older. Infants under two already ride for free. Regular adult passengers aged 20 to 64 still need to buy a round-trip ticket, which currently costs $9.57.
Residents should note that free fare does not mean passengers can simply line up and board without a ticket. Eligible passengers must still obtain the correct ticket online in advance or at the ticket booth at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Tickets will be checked through the normal boarding process. Free tickets can only be used between August 1 and 31, 2026, and will expire after that period.
The ferry ticket covers trips from the downtown Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to the Toronto Islands, with boats travelling to Centre Island, Ward’s Island and Hanlan’s Point. On the return trip, passengers can leave from any City-operated ferry dock on the islands and do not need to return from the same place where they arrived. Private water taxis are not included in this free fare measure.
The temporary measure was introduced by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, supported by Mayor Olivia Chow, and approved during the July 29 to 30 City Council meeting. The motion said the free ferry initiative is intended to celebrate the federal government’s decision not to proceed with the Toronto Island airport expansion, while encouraging more families, young people and seniors to learn about and use the Toronto Islands’ public green space.
The City estimates that the free fare measure will result in about $940,000 in lost ferry revenue. The cost will be covered through a one-time budget adjustment and will not increase the City’s overall 2026 operating budget. In the council vote, 15 councillors voted in favour, five voted against and six were absent.
Although the fare is waived, August is also one of the busiest months for the Toronto Islands. The City reminds residents that weekends and holidays are usually crowded. The peak time for travelling to the islands is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the peak time for returning downtown is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wait times may exceed 30 minutes and can reach up to an hour during busy periods.
Centre Island is the busiest ferry route. Residents hoping to avoid crowds may consider taking the ferry to Ward’s Island and then walking about 35 minutes to Centre Island. Ferry boarding is first-come, first-served. Strollers, bicycles and mobility devices also take up space on board. Once the safe passenger capacity is reached, staff may pause boarding.
The City also reminds residents that adult ferry tickets purchased during August will expire on August 31 and will not follow the usual longer validity period for online tickets. Residents should avoid buying too many adult tickets at once if they may not use them before the end of the month.
For Chinese seniors and families travelling with children, the free fare measure covers the full month of August, not just one weekend. However, residents should still check the ferry schedule before leaving and obtain free tickets in advance to avoid arriving at the terminal and having to line up again.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
