Yes, you can and absolutely should buy Toronto Island ferry tickets ahead of time through the City of Toronto's official online ticketing portal. In 2026, the ferry system remains the primary way to reach the popular Centre Island, Hanlan's Point, and Ward's Island. Purchasing tickets online allows you to bypass the often lengthy ticket-booth lines at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, especially during the peak summer months and holiday weekends when wait times can exceed an hour. Once purchased, the digital ticket is sent to your email and can be scanned directly from your smartphone at the boarding gates. It is important to note that a ferry ticket is a "round-trip" fare; you only scan your ticket on the way to the islands, and the return trip is essentially free as there are no ticket checks at the island docks. However, buying a ticket in advance does not guarantee a spot on a specific sailing or allow you to skip the actual boarding line; it only saves you the time spent at the payment window. During the busiest summer days, it is still recommended to arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before your desired departure.