Toronto to North Bay Flight: 5+ Reasons I’ll Fly To Northern Ontario Again

Would you believe me if I told you I walked down the street in downtown Toronto and was exploring North Bay less than an hour later?

No traffic. No marathon drive up Highway 400 and Highway 11. No spending half my weekend staring at taillights and construction zones. And no speeding ticket!

As someone who loves Northern Ontario, I’ve made the drive to North Bay more than once. At approximately four hours from Toronto, it’s certainly doable, but let’s be honest: a road trip can eat up a significant portion of a weekend getaway. Toss in down DVP traffic, and now you’re stressed.

That’s why I was excited to experience PropAir’s new service connecting downtown Toronto and North Bay. Propair now offers direct service between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport Stolport FBO terminal and North Bay. The airline launched flights from Billy Bishop Airport’s Stolport FBO terminal earlier this year, creating a fast and convenient way for travellers to reach Northern Ontario. A Toronto to North Bay flight is quick and easy.

After trying it for myself, I can confidently say that getting there was one of the easiest parts of the trip.

This trip was hosted and paid for by Tourism North Bay and Propair. Our opinions are not for sale, and I highlight the good, the bad, what worked and what didn’t.

Starting the Journey at Billy Bishop’s Stolport FBO Terminal

One of the biggest surprises wasn’t the flight itself; it was the terminal.

Unlike the busy airport experience most travellers are used to, the Stolport terminal feels calm, comfortable, and surprisingly personal. Located adjacent to Billy Bishop Airport, the facility is clean, modern, and refreshingly stress-free.

I arrived with plenty of time before departure and immediately noticed how different the atmosphere felt. There were comfortable seating areas, complimentary coffee, and even workspace options for anyone needing to catch up on emails before takeoff.

As someone who often works remotely while travelling, I appreciated having a quiet place to sit and get a few things done before boarding.

There were no long security lines, crowded departure gates, or frantic airport energy. Instead, the experience felt relaxed and efficient from the moment I arrived.

It Almost Feels Like Your Own Personal Plane

Boarding the aircraft was equally seamless.

If you’ve never flown on a smaller regional aircraft before, the experience feels incredibly different from a major commercial airline. Rather than navigating a busy terminal full of hundreds of passengers, you simply walk out to the plane and climb aboard.

The cabin felt comfortable and intimate. In fact, it almost felt like travelling on your own private aircraft. No joke, there were 8 passengers on the flight, and I think 16 seats in total. I’m on this flight with my friend, Christopher Rudder of Rudderless Travel.

Within minutes, we were airborne, climbing above Toronto’s skyline and heading north.

And yes, there was even a welcome beer waiting on board.

Not a bad way to start a Northern Ontario getaway.

Downtown Toronto to North Bay Flight: Less Than an Hour Later, We Were in North Bay

This is the part that really surprised me. The flight takes less than an hour. Think about that for a moment.

Many people spend longer commuting across the Greater Toronto Area during rush hour than it takes to fly from downtown Toronto to North Bay. The joke is that it takes an hour to get from Toronto to Toronto. Not really a joke to be honest. It often takes more than an hour for a return trip to pick my kids up from their dad’s place, only 3.4 km away.

By the time I’d settled into my seat, enjoyed the view, and finished my beer, we were already beginning our descent. Before I knew it, I was stepping off the aircraft in North Bay. No road fatigue. No fuel stops. No construction delays.

Just Northern Ontario.

Why This Matters for Weekend Travellers

For me, the biggest benefit isn’t simply convenience. It’s time.

Most of us have limited vacation days and busy schedules. Between work, family commitments, sports, appointments, and everything else life throws our way, weekends are precious. A four-hour drive each way can easily consume eight hours of a weekend. Flying changes that equation completely.

Instead of spending Friday evening and Sunday afternoon on the highway, you’re spending that time actually experiencing the destination.

That means more waterfront sunsets, more hiking trails, more local restaurants, and more opportunities to explore. It’s the difference between squeezing in a quick getaway and feeling like you’ve genuinely escaped.

How to Get to North Bay, Ontario

North Bay is actually one of Northern Ontario’s most accessible destinations, located approximately 350 kilometres north of Toronto, depending on your starting point in the city.

There are currently three main ways to get to North Bay:

Drive from Toronto to North Bay

Driving remains the most common option. The trip takes approximately four hours via Highway 400 and Highway 11, depending on traffic and road conditions.

While the drive is scenic, it can consume a significant portion of a weekend getaway.

Future Northlander Train Service

Ontario’s Northlander passenger train is expected to return service to North Bay in the coming year, creating another option for travellers who prefer not to drive. Official launch dates and schedules are still being finalized.

Fly from Toronto to North Bay with Propair

For years, Air Canada offered flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and North Bay, providing a convenient option for travellers who wanted to skip the drive. However, that service was discontinued in early 2026, leaving a gap for both business and leisure travellers looking for a fast connection between Toronto and Northern Ontario.

That’s where PropAir stepped in.

In February 2026, PropAir launched service between Toronto’s FBO Stolport terminal and North Bay, creating a new way to reach the city in less than an hour. Unlike a traditional commercial airport experience, passengers depart from the smaller Stolport facility, making the journey feel more personal, efficient, and stress-free.

Please note that this is not a cheap option. It’s a time-saver, not a money-saver. Round-trip flights start at around $600.

Exploring North Bay

Once we arrived, we picked up a rental vehicle and began exploring.

One of the things I love about North Bay is how everything is centred around the outdoors and you’re enver more than 10 minutes away form the next stop. During our visit, we explored the North Bay Museum, browsed the farmers’ market, and cruised Lake Nipissing aboard the Chief Commanda II.

We spent time wandering through Laurier Woods Conservation Area, visited Miskwaadesi (Painted Turtle Amphitheatre), and stopped by Lee Park to see both the Gateway Arch and the iconic CF-100 aircraft.

No trip to North Bay would be complete without visiting Duchesnay Falls. The short trail rewards visitors with beautiful cascading waterfalls and makes for an easy outdoor adventure close to the city. And no hike with me is complete without a beer at the end of the trail.

One evening, we made our way to King’s Landing Pier to watch the sunset over Lake Nipissing. The sky lit up with shades of orange and pink over the water. And that… Moments like that are exactly why I keep returning to Northern Ontario.

 

Homewood Suites – A Convenient Home Base

We stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay, which proved to be an excellent base for exploring the city.

One of the things I appreciated most was its location. The hotel is within walking distance of both the waterfront and downtown, making it easy to explore restaurants, attractions, and the lakeshore without constantly jumping in the car.

After a full day of sightseeing, it was nice to park the vehicle and simply enjoy the area on foot.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in North Bay for your adventures, there are a lot of great options here:

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The Return Flight Was Just as Easy

Like all good weekends, ours seemed to fly by. Before we knew it, it was time to head home. Full disclosure, we were booked on an 11:00 am flight back to Toronto, which got delayed to 6:00 PM. It gave us more time to explore, but be aware, as with all flights and travel, delays can be a part of the journey.

The return flight was every bit as smooth and convenient as the journey north. Within minutes of boarding, we were airborne and heading back toward Toronto.

Less than an hour later, I was back in the city.

It’s a strange feeling to spend the morning overlooking Lake Nipissing and the afternoon back in downtown Toronto, but that’s exactly what makes this service so appealing.

Is Flying to North Bay Worth It?

Absolutely. While driving remains a great option for travellers who enjoy road trips, PropAir offers something many of us value even more: time.

The ability to leave Toronto and reach North Bay in less than an hour makes the destination an easy weekend escape. For anyone who has ever looked at a map and thought North Bay felt just a little too far away, here’s a hot tip from me to you: it isn’t anymore.

With comfortable flights, a stress-free flying experience, and less than an hour in the air, Northern Ontario has never felt closer to Toronto.