Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

Ferry, Gardens & Victoria's Inner Harbour in One Day

You board a coach at Canada Place, ride BC Ferries through the Gulf Islands to Victoria, walk the Inner Harbour and Chinatown with your guide, then explore Butchart Gardens' 55 acres on your own before sailing back to Vancouver. Ferry, gardens entry, and driver-guide are all included. You return by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Gulf Islands1h 30m · entry included
2. Victoria Inner Harbour3h
3. Fairmont Empress Hotelpass by
4. Fisherman's Wharfpass by
5. British Columbia Parliament Buildingspass by
6. Government Streetpass by
7. Victoria Chinatownpass by
8. Royal British Columbia Museumpass by
9. Butchart Gardens1h 45m · entry included

Vancouver to Victoria and Gardens Tour

• Meet at Canada Place
• Drive to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
• Explore ferry terminal market
• Ferry cruise to Vancouver Island
• Visit Victoria Inner Harbour sights
• Explore Empress Hotel and Chinatown
• Visit Fan Tan Alley and Government Street
• Free time in downtown Victoria
• Meet guide and travel to Butchart Gardens
• Tour Butchart Gardens
• Return ferry cruise to mainland
• Drive back to Vancouver

The experience

The guide was already at Canada Place when we arrived, coffee in hand, checking his list. He mentioned the ferry fills up fast in summer, so we'd be on the water by mid-morning: a 90-minute crossing through the Gulf Islands where you actually see why people vacation out there. The route takes you past Active Pass around the 40-minute mark, and that's when the water opens up and you realize you're not in Vancouver anymore. The bus holds a maximum of 24 passengers, so it stays small enough that you're not herded through stops like a school group.

Once the ferry docks at Victoria's Inner Harbour, the real walking starts. Your guide takes you through the core: Mile 0, the Parliament Buildings (worth a photo), the Fairmont Empress Hotel sitting right on the water, and then into historic Chinatown where Fan Tan Alley cuts through like a secret. It's the narrowest commercial street in North America, which sounds like a fact until you're actually standing in it and realizing how tight it is. After that guided section, you get free time to wander Government Street for souvenirs, grab fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf, or just sit by the harbour. The guide gives you restaurant and brewery suggestions before you go, which saves the usual "where should we eat" argument.

Then comes Butchart Gardens: 55 acres of themed displays including a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Rose Garden spread across a National Historic Site. You're not rushed through. The admission is included and you explore at your own pace. The drive out takes maybe 20 minutes from downtown, and you'll have enough daylight to walk the paths without feeling hurried. On the way back to the ferry, the evening sailing gives you time to stand on deck and watch the Gulf Islands fade as you head toward the mainland. You're back at Canada Place around 9:30pm, which means a full day without an early morning that leaves you wrecked.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip ferry aboard BC Ferries, mini-coach transportation with an experienced driver-guide, admission to Butchart Gardens, onboard entertainment and commentary throughout the journey, and all fees and taxes. The coach holds a maximum of 24 passengers, keeping the group intimate.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discover Canada Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Vancouver without a car who want to see Victoria and Butchart Gardens in a single day with transport and entry handled. Plan for a full day out. You leave Canada Place in the morning and return around 9:30pm, which is what makes fitting both the ferry crossing and the gardens possible.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the ferry ride to Victoria?

90 minutes each way. The crossing passes through the Southern Gulf Islands, with Active Pass around the 40-minute mark.

Is Butchart Gardens entry included?

Yes. Admission to the 55-acre gardens is part of the tour price.

How much free time do you get in Victoria?

The itinerary includes free time after the guided stops at the Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings, Chinatown, and other landmarks. You can explore downtown, eat at Fisherman's Wharf, or visit the Empress Hotel on your own.

What time does the tour end?

You arrive back at Canada Place around 9:30pm after the return ferry crossing.

What is the maximum group size?

24 passengers per coach.

Does the tour run if it rains?

Yes, the tour operates in rain. No refunds are given within the 24-hour cancellation window.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have free time to eat at restaurants around Victoria, including Fisherman's Wharf.