The 15 Best Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trips from Vancouver

1.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,703 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $228Our pick

Travel from downtown Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, with a 90-minute sailing through the Gulf Islands. Your guide, such as Anthony, Bobby, Alex, or Leslie, provides commentary before leading you through Butchart Gardens. You then get two hours to explore Victoria independently.

“We had a wonderful tour with Leslie and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. There was plenty of time throughout the day, including well-timed stops for meals and restrooms. We loved exploring the city of Victoria, and the gardens were absolutely beautiful in December with the Christmas lights. The ferry ride was incredibly scenic as well. Overall, it was a fabulous experience that I would highly recommend.”

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2.Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,242 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $232

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, then see downtown Victoria and 55-acre Butchart Gardens with a professional guide. Expect about 13 hours, hotel pickup by arrangement, free time for lunch, and ferry admission included.

“Gavin, our guide was experienced and knowledgeable. We did this tour on O Canada Day so the crowds were a bit overwhelming. Our guidance was spot on and we had a great time! The gardens were absolutely beautiful and VICTORIA ISLAND was great fun! It was a delightful day all around.”

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3.Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,165 reviews · 13 hours · from $208

Travel from downtown Vancouver by coach and BC Ferry to Butchart Gardens and Victoria. Expect a full 13-hour day, two hours in the gardens, about 1.5 hours downtown, and lively commentary from guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, and Dion.

“My day trip was so amazing and enjoyable. Thanks to our tour guide Mark,. his so informative, I have learned a lot from him about the history and stories about the city and the the garden. If I have given yhe chance I will be back again.”

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4.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 565 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $214

Spend about 13 hours traveling from Vancouver to Vancouver Island by coach and ferry, with two hours at Butchart Gardens and roughly 1 to 1.5 hours in Victoria. Guides such as Mark, Justin, Dan, Dion, and Senan provide commentary along the way. Ferry travel, transport, and garden admission are included.

“Justin did a great job. He didn’t just tell us about the sights, he educated us on the history and current state of life in Vancouver and Victoria. It was a long day but he kept our interest and kept things fresh throughout.”

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5.Butchart Gardens and Victoria Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 564 reviews · 13 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $234Top rated

Travel from Canada Place to Victoria by mini-coach and BC Ferries, then see Mile 0, the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, and Butchart Gardens. Guides such as Rene, Kim, Byron, and Ian are known for lively local commentary. Expect a scenic but very long day.

“It is worth the investment. So much nicer to turn over driving ... all logistics ... over to someone very familiar with finding their way around. Our guide was incredibly knowledgable and professional.”

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6.Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Adventure & Return via Bus & Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 354 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $309

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane from Canada Place to Victoria, then spend several hours exploring on your own. Return by BC Ferries Connector coach and ferry, with a final drop-off at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The day lasts about 9 to 11 hours.

“Seaplane is great! Victoria is a beautiful, easily walkable city. Helpful if ferry return is next day to get full experience.”

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7.Victoria and Butchart Gardens, an Elevated Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $223

Travel from Vancouver to Vancouver Island by coach and BC Ferries, with guided commentary, free time in Victoria, and two hours at Butchart Gardens. Guides such as Joel, Aimee, Stephen, and Natalia are known for lively narration, while drivers handle the long ferry-and-road journey.

“Extraordinary experience even though it was end of September and there were a lot of plants in transition.”

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8.Vancouver to Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $525

Fly from downtown Vancouver to Victoria in about 35 minutes, then take a narrated transfer to Butchart Gardens for a self-guided visit. Admission and return airfare are included, with free time in Victoria before the flight home. Expect a small group, tight timing, and weather-dependent service.

“Such an easy and convenient way to see Victoria and the Gardens in the same day! Our flight was packed with gorgeous views and The Gardens were stunning. All the staff from the airline to the bus driver were super friendly and informative.”

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9.Vancouver to Victoria Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 184 reviews · 35 minutes (approx.) · from $292

Board a Harbour Air seaplane at Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre and reach Victoria’s Inner Harbour in about 35 minutes. You’ll see downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, the North Shore Mountains, and coastal islands from the air. A 25-pound baggage allowance is included, but check-in is strict.

“A very expensive way to get to Victoria. It’s just a seaplane ride not a tour. Do it direct through Harbour Air and save $$$. The flight was also 45 mins late leaving Vancouver”

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10.Vancouver to Victoria – Coach Bus Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 175 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $68Best value

Travel from central Vancouver to downtown Victoria by coach and BC Ferries. Your bus boards the ferry at Tsawwassen, stays with your luggage, and continues to Victoria Bus Depot. Expect about four hours, comfortable transport, ferry views, and a maximum group size of 48.

“Easy way to get to Victoria! The bus goes right on the ferry, and your luggage is locked in the storage area of the bus. So keep any items you may need for the journey on your person.”

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11.Victoria Seaplane Tour with Return Bus and Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · from $297

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane from Vancouver Harbour to Victoria, with views of Stanley Park, the Gulf Islands, and the Strait of Georgia. Enjoy several hours on your own in Victoria, then return by coach and BC Ferries to downtown Vancouver. No guide leads the city visit, so you set the pace.

“The flight was superb- absolutely flawless and so smooth Bus and ferry fine Long day”

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12.Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Fly Harbour Air from downtown Vancouver to Victoria in 35 minutes, then join Orca Spirit for a three-hour whale-watching trip. Guides such as Shannon, Josh, and Luke share local wildlife knowledge while you search for orcas and humpbacks by zodiac or covered boat.

“Bring sunscreen. The sea plane trip out and back was exciting. The inflatable zodiac boat trip was enjoyable and our skipper knowledgeable. We saw a number of orcas with calves close by, and a couple of humpback whales a fair distance away.”

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13.Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Fly 35 minutes from Vancouver Harbour to Victoria with Harbour Air, then join Orca Spirit Adventures for a three-hour whale-watching trip. You may see orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. Guides such as Jeff and Shannon add sharp local insight, with free time in Victoria before your return flight.

“The seaplane flights gave us an incredible view of Vancouver and Vancouver island. We had time to walk around Victoria before the whale watching trip. The whale watching was great fun and we managed so see an array of wildlife including seals, eagles, humpback whales and orca whales! The guides were very knowledgeable and fun. It was a wonderful trip!”

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14.Butchart Gardens and Victoria Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $246

Travel from Canada Place to Victoria by deluxe coach and BC Ferries, with guide support from hosts such as Kim, Ian, Megan, and Janell. See Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Chinatown, enjoy free time, then spend 90 minutes at Butchart Gardens before returning to Vancouver at about 9:30 pm.

“Victoria is a beautiful city and offers a variety of things to see and do! The trip to Butchart Gardens was magnificent! We would definitely recommend!”

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15.Victoria 1-Day Tour From Vancouver (Butchart Gardens) (Chn&Eng)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $187

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Vancouver to Victoria by BC Ferries, visiting Butchart Gardens, Chinatown, the Inner Harbour, and major civic sights. Guides such as Ken, Charlie, and Jake provide English and Chinese commentary, but the day includes long ferry and road transfers.

“The driver was excellent. Our favorite place was the garden, so beautiful and serene. Driving around and seeing all the lovely sights in Victoria was fun and educational.”

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