If you’re looking for a break from Vancouver’s chaotic city life, then Butchart Gardens tours from Vancouver are a great way to escape.
This botanical paradise is located in tranquil Brentwood Bay, about 20 miles north of Victoria, on beautiful Vancouver Island.
Until now, visiting from Vancouver has been somewhat problematic without a car. But we’ve got three new Vancouver to Butchart Gardens tours that do the heavy lifting for you.
Let’s take a look.
Butchart Gardens Day Tours from Vancouver
First of all, let’s talk about Butchart Gardens itself. This place is huge! It spans over 55 acres and features several gardens with different themes, each bursting with colourful blooms.
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a dream world filled with vibrant colours and sweet fragrances. This is one of the best things to do in Victoria, period.
Butchart Gardens is an attraction of such importance that it has been bestowed with the title of a National Heritage Site. As such, over one million visitors make the trek to check out the garden’s colourful flowers and vivid blooms every year.
But there is only one problem. If you’re sitting in a Vancouver hotel room reading this article, you’re faced with the problem of how exactly to get there.
Many visitors to Vancouver simply don’t have the time to allot a few days of their itinerary to visit Victoria.
Fortunately, we have a solution!
Related: The Best Victoria Parks & Gardens
Planning your Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver
Navigating the journey to Butchart Gardens without a car can quickly add up, costing over $300 for two – that’s $200 for the ferry, $90 for garden entry, and an extra $30 for gas.
Why not ditch the stress and opt for a tour from Vancouver instead? These day trips aren’t just about convenience; they include your ferry ride, entrance fees, and even pit stops at other Victoria highlights.
Grabbing a Vancouver to Butchart Gardens ticket package is your ticket to a hassle-free adventure. Why sweat the details when you can have it sorted with one smart choice?
Luckily, we’ve got three great options so you can find the package that meets your specific needs.
⛴️ Making the trip solo? Check out our guide on how to get to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver.
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver – The Entry-Level Package
Duration: 12 hours | Price: $265.00 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 | Read 1300+ reviews
This entry-level package is for those looking to explore the gardens, with a few hours to explore Victoria tossed in for good measure. This amazing trip is planned for you through the Gulf Islands to Victoria. And don’t worry, the first step is super easy, as you’ll be picked up right from your hotel.
Then, it’s time to hop on an air-conditioned shuttle and get ready for a relaxing cruise aboard the Victoria Ferry through the Gulf Islands. I mean, who wouldn’t love standing on the deck, watching out for whales and sea lions splashing in the sparkling waves? And if you’re lucky, you might even see some majestic eagles soaring high above.
Then, it’s off to the Butchart Gardens for 2 hours exploring one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Once you’re done exploring the gardens, it’s time to hit up the city, where you’ll have two hours to see what Victoria has to offer. You can wander through vibrant Chinatown, grab some yummy food from Victoria’s best restaurants, or check out the charming Inner Harbour. Then, it’s back to your shuttle for the trip back to Van City, where it all began.
Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip with Seaplane – The Gold Package
Duration: 12 hours | Price: $572.14 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Read 140+ reviews
Looking for something a little more memorable? Elevate your sightseeing game with this Vancouver to Victoria Butchart Gardens tour, designed for those ready to take their adventure up a notch.
Skip the mundane ferry ride and, instead, claim your starring role in a breathtaking seaplane journey that offers round-trip vistas you won’t forget.
Your story for the day doesn’t just stop there; it unfolds with plenty of free time to meander through Victoria’s enchanting streets at your own pace.
And because no tale is complete without a magical setting, this tour includes a free shuttle service and entrance to the mesmerizing Butchart Gardens. It’s not just a trip; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey wrapped in the beauty of the Garden City.
2-Day Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Hotel – The Platinum Package
Duration: 2 days | Price: $641.74 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 | Read 35+ reviews
Craving more time to immerse yourself in Victoria’s charm? Opt for the overnight Vancouver to Butchart Gardens tour, tailored for those who love to explore the Garden City at a leisurely pace.
Prepare to be spellbound by the breathtaking beauty of Butchart Gardens, followed by a captivating sightseeing tour that lets you vibe with Victoria’s unique atmosphere. Then, you can unwind in the Laurel Point Inn, a Victoria hotel nestled alongside Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Fisherman’s Wharf.
The cherry on top? A full 24 hours at your disposal to wander, discover, and indulge as you wish. And for your journey back? A scenic seaplane ride that promises stunning views and an exhilarating finish to your adventure.
Is a Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip a Good Value?
If you don’t have the time to book a hotel in Victoria for a couple of nights and fit in some top Victoria sightseeing tours, then a Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day trip is the only way to go.
I’ve looked into all the options available for those without a set of wheels, and this is the best one by far – unless you wanna jump through the hoops of renting a car.
Here’s a quick look at how to get to Victoria from Vancouver and the prices involved:
Vancouver to Butchart Gardens by Bus
- BC Ferries Connector Bus – $196 CAD (return) + 4 hours of travel between Pacific Central Station and Capital City Station. You also have the option for hotel pick-up for a few extra bucks.
- Victoria Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle – $50 (Butchart Gardens admission included) & 3-5 hours for the tour and return travel from Inner Harbour.
- #30 or #31 bus – Board from Belleville St. behind the Fairmont Empress Hotel to reach the Gardens. $5 fare & 2 hours of return travel.
- Return Trip – Board your bus for the 4-hour return trip to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station.
✈️ Looking to get to Victoria straight from YVR? Check out our guide on the Victoria to Vancouver Airport Bus.
Vancouver Car Rental
- Rent a Car – Rental, gas, and insurance will likely add up to over $100 for an economy car.
- Drive to Tsawwassen Terminal – You’ll make the 45-minute drive to get the Vancouver to Victoria ferry.
- Purchase Your Ticket – Current rates are $73.90(vehicle), $36.80 (adult) and $18.40 (child). The sailing will take 90 minutes – and you’ll have to make the trip twice.
- Drive to Butchart Gardens – The drive to Butchart Gardens will take around 30 minutes.
- Return to Vancouver – After a couple of hours spent at the gardens (admission $21.80 – $39.50), you can check out Victoria or jump on the ferry back to Vancouver.
In short, neither option adds up to a smooth, relaxing day trip.
In fact, there are so many separate steps involved in both that you’ll spend the bulk of your day worried about travel.
And to make things worse, the cost savings are negligible from both a financial and chronological perspective.
That’s why you should definitely consider booking one of our Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day trip packages. Still not convinced? Check out a few reviews below:
Butchart Gardens Tours From Vancouver Reviews
You can find thousands of Butchart Gardens Tour reviews online from satisfied customers. In fact, the entry-level package has received over 1300 reviews yet maintains an amazing 4.5-star rating.
Just have a look for yourself. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from Viator customer Gini_B:
Next, Lawrence_T provides some info on the bus and tour driver:
And some detailed info about the gardens themselves from Jeanne_D :
Butchart Gardens Day Tours: How to Book
Booking your Vancouver Butchart Gardens tour is as simple and swift as purchasing your favourite online store, perhaps even more so.
Let’s take a peek at the seamless booking experience:
- Choose Your Butchart Day Tour of Choice
- Start by clicking on the Vancouver-Butchart Gardens tour link.
- You’ll be booking through Tripadvisor, a renowned publicly traded company with a robust $3 billion market cap, ensuring reliability and trustworthiness.
- The platform offers the advantage of free cancellation, allowing you to secure your dates without any financial commitment.
- Viator also has a lowest price guarantee; you’re assured of making the most cost-effective choice.
- Pick Your Departure Time
- Simply hit the ‘Check Availability’ button on the tour page.
- From there, select your desired dates on the calendar, enter the number of guests, and hit ‘Apply.’
- Choose your preferred time and click ‘Book Now.’
- Pick your payment method of choice.
Remember, the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour means securing your spot is risk-free and straightforward. It’s a hassle-free process – a few clicks, and you’re all set, with the freedom to cancel without penalty if your plans change.
Securing your spot is effortless and cost-free, offering peace of mind and flexibility.
Butchart Gardens Tickets
Are you already in Victoria without wheels and don’t want to make the hour-plus trip to Brentwood Bay via transit? Well, the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle has you covered.
Here are the current rates:
- Adults/Children (5+) – $50.00
- Infants (0-4) – Free
Admission and round-trip transportation from downtown Victoria is included with your ticket. During high season, the shuttle departs hourly between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm from a convenient Inner Harbour location. This is far and away the easiest way to visit the gardens on your own without a vehicle.
To purchase tickets, click on the link below:
Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip FAQs
What is the main attraction at Butchart Gardens?
The Butchart Gardens is a 55-acre botanical garden that is home to a variety of different gardens, each containing its own unique theme. The most notable attraction is likely the Sunken Garden, which is the original and largest site.
However, the romantic and picturesque Rose Garden, the tranquil Japanese Garden, the colourful Italian Garden and the vibrant Mediterranean Garden are also very popular in their own right.
How much time do I need for my Butchart Gardens trip from Vancouver?
You should definitely plan to spend around 2 hours exploring the Butchart Gardens, but honestly, you could easily spend an entire day there if you’ve got the time. I mean, there’s just so much to see and do!
If you’re booking a Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Tour package, you’ll usually get 1.5 – 2 hours to explore, which is plenty of time to check out the must-see highlights and take some epic photos.
Where do Vancouver to Butchart Gardens tours leave from?
If you’re looking to book a tour of Butchart Gardens, the primary location for pickup is outside Canada Place. But make sure to select the hotel pick-up/drop-off option if available. Trust us, it’s a game-changer; you won’t have to worry about getting lost and you can sneak in a few more minutes of sleep.
Opting for the Seaplane package? Then you’ll meet at the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre near Canada Place.
How much does the Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day trip cost?
As of now, the cost of a Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day trip is $265.00 CAD for adults (13+) and $135.00 CAD for kids (ages 3-12). You’ll get transportation between downtown Vancouver and Victoria in an air-conditioned shuttle, a round-trip ferry fare aboard BC Ferries, admission to Butchart Gardens, and even the option for hotel pick-up/drop-off.
If you choose to upgrade to the seaplane package or opt to stay overnight, you’ll be looking at $572.14 CAD and $641.74 CAD respectively.
Related: Best Vancouver to Victoria Tours
Related: Best Victoria Whale Watching Tours
Ready to Book Your Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip?
They say that every flower must grow through dirt. And while a day trip to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver isn’t easy, with these new tour packages, it is far from impossible.
That said, if you’ve got any questions about getting to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver or anything else, I am here to respond in the comments below.
Enjoy your Butchart Gardens day tour from Vancouver 🙂
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