Butchart Gardens tours from Vancouver offer a great break to quell the noise.
That said, this botanical paradise can be tricky to reach from Vancouver – but with a little planning, we’ll get there in the end.
Here’s how to set up Butchart Gardens day trips from Vancouver.
Planning Day Tours to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver
Butchart Gardens from Vancouver: it’s one of the best day trips from Vancouver you can imagine.
Of course, as I mentioned in my post on how to get to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver:
If you don’t have a car, you might want to think twice about going it alone.
Let me explain:
Even for locals without a car, you’re looking at over $300.00 ($200.00 for the ferry, $90.00 for the gardens, and $30.00 for gas) for two people.
Tours of Butchart Gardens from Vancouver are a great way to take the hassle out of it all.
These day trips include a ferry from Vancouver, admission, and sometimes additional stops at other Victoria attractions.
These all-in-one Vancouver to Butchart Gardens tickets are the easiest way to go:
Let’s dig into them a bit deeper.
Best Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Tours in 2024
Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver: Best Day Tour
Duration: 12 hours (approx.) | Departure Point: Hotel pickup/Canada Pl.| Price: $265.00 pp
This is the best day tour to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver because it allows you to see all Victoria has to offer as well.
As you board the ferry, prepare for a scenic cruise through the mesmerizing Gulf Islands. You might just catch glimpses of whales and sea lions frolicking in the waves.
On the other side, your adventure continues at Butchart Gardens, where you can wander through this botanical paradise, letting the beauty of nature inspire you.
Next, you’ll be off to the vibrant heart of Victoria, exploring at your own pace for two hours.
Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip: Cheapest Day Tour
Duration: 12 hours (approx.) | Departure Point: Hotel pick-up/Canada Pl. | Price: $249.00 pp
These Butchart Gardens tours from Vancouver are for people who only want to see the gardens.
After receiving convenient hotel pickup, you’ll hop on an air-conditioned shuttle that will take you to the ferry for a relaxing cruise through the Gulf Islands.
Once you’ve crossed over to Vancouver Island, it’s time to head to Butchart Gardens – the shuttle will take you there and give you around two hours to visit (admission included).
Afterward, you’ll have over an hour to explore the area around the Empress Hotel before heading back.
Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Day Trip with Seaplane: Most Spectacular Day Tour
Duration: 12 hours (approx.) | Departure Point: Canada Pl.| Price: $572.14 pp
This Vancouver to Victoria Butchart Gardens tour is for those who wanna take the scenery to a new level.
Forget the Vancouver to Victoria ferry – here; you secure your seat on a scenic round-trip seaplane adventure with you as the protagonist.
The narrative of your day includes ample free time to explore Victoria’s charming streets at your leisure.
Naturally, this day tour also offers complimentary shuttle bus service and admission to the enchanting Butchart Gardens.
2-Day Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Overnight at the Inn at Laurel Point
Duration: 2 days | Departure Point: Hotel Pickup| Price: $641.74 pp
Looking for a bit more time to explore Victoria? Then, this overnight tour from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens will be more your style.
Obviously, you’ll be enchanted by the stunning Butchart Gardens. You’ll also take a short sightseeing tour to soak up the vibes before settling into a fancy 4-star hotel in the heart of Victoria.
The best part? You’ve got another 24 hours to do as you please.
Return transport is by seaplane, which adds an exciting scenic element.
Looking for luxury? Upgrade to the 5-star Fairmont Empress Hotel:
Butchart Gardens from Vancouver Tour Prices
So, how much does it cost for day tours to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver?
Here’s a handy graph on Butchart Garden day tour prices, with some extra info thrown in:
| Tour | Departure | Price | More Info |
| Day Tour + Victoria | Hotel pickup | $265.00 | More info |
| Gardens Only Tour | Hotel pickup | $249.00 | More info |
| Seaplane + Gardens | Canada Place | $572.14 | More info |
| Gardens 2 Day Tour | Hotel Pickup | $641.74 | More info |
All prices are listed in CAD.
Again, the cheapest Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day tour is the Gardens Only Tour.
How to Book Butchart Gardens Day Tours
Warning: Especially in high season, day tours to Butchart Gardens tend to sell out way in advance. Book your free cancellation tickets in advance to guarantee your times – you can always cancel later.
Securing tickets for Vancouver Butchart Gardens tours is as effortless as shopping on Amazon – actually, it’s even quicker.
Let me guide you through the booking process below.
1. Open the Butchart Day Tour of Your Choice
- Open up the Vancouver-Butchart Gardens tour link.
- Here, you’re booking with a publicly traded company (Tripadvisor) with a $3 billion market cap.
- Booking here gets you free cancellation tickets to lock in your dates with no risk.
- You’re also utilizing Viator’s lowest price guarantee to keep the budget low.
2. Select Your Day Tour Departure Time
- Click on the ‘Check Availability’ button on your tour page.
- Select your dates using the calendar.
- Enter the number of guests and click ‘Apply.’
- Select your time and click ‘Book Now.’
Again, these tickets are great as you can cancel your tickets free of charge up to 24 hours before.
It literally costs nothing to lock in your spot – just a couple of clicks.
Not gonna go in the end? Just cancel them, no questions asked.
Butchart Gardens Day Tour from Vancouver Reviews
With thousands of Butchart Gardens day tour reviews, it’s amazing they maintain a 4.5-star rating across the board.
Let’s break down some reviews of our best Butchart Gardens day tour from Vancouver:
Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver Reviews
Pros:
- “Easy-rise” departure time of 9:30 am
- Hotel pickup included
- The second cheapest Butchart Gardens day tour
- Offers free cancellation tickets via Viator
- Super knowledgeable guide and driver
- More time to explore Victoria (2 hours) than most tours
- Viator Badge of Excellence (4.5-star rating over 1,300 reviews)
Cons:
- Does not utilize seaplanes as a transport method
- Tends to sell out quickly in the high season
Again, I’ve explained a lot about our top Vancouver to Butchart Gardens tour – so here I really just want to leave it up to my fellow travellers to close it out.
Here’s a preview from Viator customer Lesley_L about the quality of the guide/drive:
And another by Colbie_H about the organization of the tour:
Finally, here’s some info about the quality of the gardens themselves by Jeanne_D:
>> Check out 1300+ more reviews on Viator now
Is a Tour from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens Worth It?
In my opinion, a tour is the only way to go if you don’t have a car.
It’s also the easiest as you don’t have to worry about traffic, navigating a foreign city, and making tight ferry schedules.
Of course, the price isn’t for everybody – so I’ll leave it up to you whether it’s in your budget.
Need something a little different? Check out the 5 best Victoria tours from Vancouver.
Butchart Gardens Tickets: No Day Tour
If you wanna cut a few corners or already find yourself in Victoria, feel free to book your own way to the gardens.
This is done with the express shuttle from downtown Victoria.
Express Shuttle Prices
Are you 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 Tour FAQs
How to visit Butchart Gardens from Vancouver?
To visit Butchart Gardens from Vancouver, it’s recommended to book a day tour which includes the ferry to Vancouver Island + admission to the gardens.
What is there to see during a Vancouver day trip to Butchart Gardens?
On a day trip from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens, you’ll find a stunning 55-acre botanical paradise filled with all sorts of colourful flowers and plants. It’s like walking through a rainbow!
There are also several different gardens to explore, each with its own unique theme. You’ve got the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, and so much more.
How much does the Vancouver to Butchart Gardens day trip cost?
The current cost of the cheapest Victoria and Butchart Gardens tour from Vancouver is $249.00 CAD for an adult (13+) and $125.00 CAD for children (3 -12).
This figure includes transportation between downtown Vancouver and Victoria in an air-conditioned shuttle. It also includes 2-way fare aboard BC Ferries, admission to Butchart Gardens, and a hotel pick-up/ drop-off option.
Where does my Butchart Gardens tour depart from in Vancouver?
Butchart Gardens tours depart from Canada Place, a short walk from the Vancouver cruise terminal and many Vancouver hotels.
Some day tours also offer hotel pickup.
Drop-off will be at the same location.
Ready to visit Butchart Gardens from Vancouver?
If you’re looking for a Butchart Gardens day trip from Vancouver, I’ve reviewed the best tour options.
Still feeling unsure? Feel free to write me in the comments below with any questions about your trip to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver.
Don’t forget to smell the roses!
We arrive by cruise ship on September 30, 2024 to Vancouver. We can get a transfer from ship to River Rock hotel or Hilton Vancouver. If you pick us up at one of these hotels, how long of a bus ride to the Butchert Gardens? There will be either 2 of us or 4 of us older ladies. Since your tour is 12 hours with only 2 hours at the gardens it seems like there is lots of bus time?
Round trip,cost with pickup at hotel? Thank you.
Hi Pam,
If you opt for hotel pickup at River Rock or Hilton Vancouver it doesn’t really save much time… you still have to get to Tsawassen terminal and then take the ferry over etc. etc.
Victoria is on the other side of the Salish Sea and it’s definitely a bit of a hike to get there. I would say you’d be dedicating about 5 hours total travel with this package.
Again, this isn’t our package and we’re only reviewing the best products online. You’d have to click through to the booking link above, put in your amount of visitors, and see the price there.
Any other questions I’m here! 🙂
Cheers,