Many people who come to Vancouver are interested in seeing Victoria and the famous "Butchart Gardens."
To start, there are a few common mix-ups, with people emailing or texting us saying they'd like to visit "Victoria Island." Don't feel bad if you've made this mistake — plenty of people do, even Canadians who don't live in our province — but... there's no such thing as "Victoria Island"! The correct name is "Vancouver Island," where, right at the southern tip, sits the city of "Victoria."
There are several ways to get from Vancouver to Victoria (by air, by land plus ferry, by land plus air). Most people prefer to go and return on the same day.
Of course, you could also opt to stay overnight in Victoria, but if you're here in Vancouver as a tourist, we don't think it's worth spending the night in Victoria, since you'd be paying for a hotel in both Vancouver and Victoria, or you'd have to check out of your Vancouver hotel, check into a Victoria hotel (bags in tow), and then, if your return flight to Brazil departs from Vancouver, check back into a Vancouver hotel all over again.
In our opinion, it's not worth it.
For anyone visiting Vancouver as a tourist, we recommend going to Victoria and returning the same day.
For those living in Vancouver, whether studying or already a Permanent Resident, it's a different story, and spending the night in Victoria can be worthwhile, especially in the off-season when hotel prices are more attractive.
There are several options for getting from Vancouver to Victoria, with prices that vary quite a bit. See below which option makes the most sense for you and your family.
1. By Air
The fastest option (and also the most expensive if there are more than two of you traveling together).
Harbour Air — seaplanes that connect Vancouver and Victoria with several flights throughout the day.
Advantages:
- The seaplanes depart from downtown Vancouver (on Burrard Inlet, right next to the Vancouver Convention Centre), which is super convenient for anyone staying in central Vancouver, since you can walk to the hangar with no need for a taxi or public transit.
- Fast: in 30 minutes (versus 4 hours when using a vehicle plus ferry) you'll be in the "heart" of Victoria, since the seaplanes land in the Inner Harbour, right in front of the central area that includes the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, and more.
- On sunny days, the trip is extremely scenic.
Disadvantages:
- Depends on whether the sky is overcast or not, or whether there are strong winds, and so on. In other words, the flight (both there and back) can be canceled due to weather conditions.
- Once you arrive in Victoria, if you want to visit the world-famous "Butchart Gardens," you'll need to pay for a taxi or some tour departing from Victoria toward the gardens (roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way).
2. Tour Bus
Several companies run bus tours, departing from Vancouver hotels and returning at the end of the day. Check with the operator for current rates, which vary by season.
Advantages:
- You won't feel "lost," since a bus will pick you up and drop you back at your hotel. The bus rides the ferry, so it's easy to follow along and receive instructions from the guide.
- Tours generally include the visit to Butchart Gardens.
- The price is more affordable than opting for a private tour.
Disadvantages:
- Since it's a bus tour that picks up and drops off passengers at several hotels around the city, the total tour time is long — around 14 hours — making for an extremely tiring day.
- The tour is conducted in English. This can be a challenge for Brazilians who don't speak English, both for understanding what they're seeing and for following the guide's instructions.
3. Private Tour
Our company (Vancouver by Locals) runs private tours to Victoria and Butchart Gardens, picking you up and dropping you back off at your hotel or accommodation.
We have our own vehicles, all new, registered with the Ministry of Transportation to operate tours, and best of all: a Portuguese-speaking driver-guide, sharing historical and geographical information with you throughout the tour and offering essential tips to help you save time (and money) while visiting Victoria and the Butchart Gardens.
We accommodate anywhere from a single passenger up to whatever maximum the client requires. We provide service to more than two dozen Brazilian travel agencies and can offer references for companies that aren't yet familiar with our work.
In our opinion, the best way to experience Victoria and the Butchart Gardens is through a private tour. Your day will go much further, and as the old saying goes, "Time is Money" — especially when traveling and wanting to avoid long waits or waiting on delayed passengers.
Prices upon request, since they depend on group size and tour date. Message me on WhatsApp and we'll be happy to provide a no-obligation quote.
Advantages:
- Choose your departure time (7:15am, 8:15am, or 9:15am)
- Private tour, no need to share space with other passengers or wait on latecomers
- Personalized attention, answering any questions you're interested in (history, geography, architecture, cuisine, Indigenous peoples, and more)
- Return ferry at a time set by you
- You're picked up and dropped off right at your hotel door in Vancouver
- Bottled water provided by us for all clients
- Professional photos shared with you and your family at no extra cost
- Highly experienced driver-guide
- Option to go by car/van and return by seaplane, for those who want more free time in Vancouver after the tour
- We're a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence company
- Competitive prices compared to other Brazilian Portuguese-language private tour companies
Disadvantages:
- Costs more than a bus tour, since operating costs are high (ferry fare for the car, for each passenger, and for the driver, ferry time-slot reservation, fuel, commercial insurance, and so on)
- Needs to be booked somewhat in advance, since we're in high demand
4. Public Transit
Without a doubt the most economical way to see Victoria. Public transit in Vancouver is extremely efficient and safe.
Departing from Vancouver, take the SkyTrain (our "subway") via the Canada Line and get off at Bridgeport Station. Right below the station you'll find the bus bays — take bus 620 and get off at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, where the ferry departs toward Swartz Bay.
You'll board the ferry as a "walk-on passenger" — no need to reserve a time slot. In summer, ferries depart hourly; in winter, every two hours.
Once you arrive at Swartz Bay, head to the bus 70 stop, which takes you into Victoria. You can pay with a Compass Card, exact cash, or credit card. The return trip works the same way, in reverse.
Advantages:
- Without a doubt, the most economical way to visit Victoria.
Disadvantages:
- You'll need to book a tour departing from Victoria, or a taxi, to visit the Butchart Gardens, since they're about 30 minutes from the city and there's no public transit there.
- Even while enjoying the beautiful ferry ride (90 minutes each way), you'll miss out on many interesting facts about Vancouver Island, the city of Victoria, and the islands you'll see along the way.
If you're on a tight budget, go by public transit — you'll still enjoy it plenty. If you have some room in your budget and want a more rewarding experience (with much less exhaustion), we recommend the private tour.
Whichever you choose, we hope you have a fantastic experience here in our Beautiful British Columbia!
Want to visit Victoria and the Butchart Gardens at your own pace? Message me on WhatsApp and let's put together your personalized itinerary.