7+ Best Butchart Gardens Tours (by Locals Who Know!)
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you).
So you want to visit the famous botanical wonderland of Butchart Gardens from Victoria, Vancouver or Seattle?
Blooming brilliant idea! One of the most stunning gardens in Victoria (proudly known as the “City of Gardens”), they’re a must-do experience when in town.
To help you plan, we’ve rounded up the best Butchart Gardens tours from all three cities.
Whether you’re after a quick shuttle from downtown Victoria or a day tour by ferry or floatplane from Vancouver or Seattle, there’s an option that’s right for you.
We live in Victoria (and used to call Vancouver home), so we’ve visited these gorgeous gardens many times – and we keep going back! (The Sunken Garden, especially, never fails to wow us.)
We love bringing out-of-town guests here – and we’ve sent plenty of family and friends on tours from Vancouver too.
Let’s go smell the roses!
3 Quick picks
Don’t have to time to read the whole article? Here are 3 of our favorite tours from Victoria and Vancouver.
|
Tour
|
Details
|
book |
|---|---|---|
|
Small Group Gardens and City Tour  |
→ From Victoria | |
|
Ferry and Coach Tour (Gardens First)  |
→ From Vancouver | |
|
Combo Seaplane and Ferry Adventure  |
→ From Vancouver |
Pssst! – All these tours can be booked through Viator (a TripAdvisor company). We use them often and love their flexible 24-hour cancellation policy – handy if your plans change!
Contents: Top tours of Butchart Gardens
Planning your Butchart Gardens visit
Location
You’ll find Butchart Gardens in British Columbia on Vancouver Island’s scenic Saanich Peninsula:
- Driving time: About 30 minutes by car (longer by public bus or shuttle)
- Town: Brentwood Bay
- Distance from Victoria: 13½ miles (22 km) north of downtown
Must-see highlights
In 1904, Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to Vancouver Island to build a cement plant on a limestone-rich site. When the quarry was tapped out, Jennie had a more beautiful vision – she began transforming the site into a lush garden, hauling in topsoil by horse and cart.
Over the years, her project bloomed into one of the world’s most celebrated display gardens – now a designated National Historic Site in Canada that dazzles over a million visitors each year.
We’re always amazed by how different the gardens look from season to season.
In spring (perhaps our favorite time), tulips and daffodils steal the show. Come summer, the Rose Garden explodes in color. In autumn, Japanese maples turn fiery red and gold, while winter brings snowdrops, silence and the magic of thousands of twinkling lights.
Don’t miss
- The dramatic Sunken Garden, set in the original quarry pit
- The Rose Garden, with 2,500 rose bushes (sniff before you snap!)
- The tranquil Japanese Garden
- The formal Italian Garden and lily pond
- The Mediterranean Garden, with its cypress trees and pathways
- Playful fountains and water features
Fun fact: It takes 50 full-time gardeners (plus 20 more gardeners in summer) to keep Butchart looking this fabulous.
Also pop into the lovely gift shop!
It’s full of unique keepsakes and garden-inspired mementos. We’ve picked up everything from flower seeds to butterfly glassware and delicate wind chimes here.
Opening hours
Open year-round, the gardens are open for viewing one hour after the gates close (below are gate entrance times).
- Spring (April and May): 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
- Summer (June 1 to September 15): Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Late September (Sept 16 to 30): 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
- Autumn (October): 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Winter: Shorter hours apply
Cost
Rates vary from $42.75 CAD (about $31 USD) per adult in the peak summer months to $27.60 (about $20 USD) in November.
Up-to-date info: See the Butchart Gardens webpage on hours and rates.
Best Butchart Gardens tours from Victoria, BC
1) Butchart Gardens shuttle bus
Hop aboard the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle!
It’s the most affordable tour option. And for one or two people, it’s less expensive than hopping in a taxi (or Uber).
Operated by Gray Line, this round-trip shuttle service takes you from Victoria’s downtown Inner Harbour straight to the gardens.
Once there, let your inner botanist roam free as you explore the gardens at your own pace.
- Departs from: The sidewalk in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel
- Travel time: About 35 to 40 minutes each way
- Multiple departure and return times: Choose a schedule that suits you (in summer, the shuttle leaves hourly from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, with returns from noon to 5:00 pm)
- Return cost: $50 CAD (approx. $37 USD) p.p.
Note: Garden admission is not included, so you’ll need to buy that separately.
Alternatives for getting to Butchart Gardens
Taxi or Uber
A taxi from downtown Victoria to Butchart Gardens runs between $50 and $65 CAD ($37 and $47 USD) plus tip, each way. It’s quick and convenient if you’re short on time. (Ubers are a little less expensive.)
Public bus
The cheapest way to get there – if you don’t mind a slower ride is by BC Transit.
- Route: Board the #75 Bus at Belleville St. and Government St. (right by the Empress)
- Ride time: About 55 to 60 minutes
- Cost: $6 CAD (approx. $4.30 USD) for a day pass
2) Small-group Victoria and gardens experience
Want to explore Butchart Gardens in style and see Victoria’s highlights too? We highly recommend this top-notch small-group tour (max 14 guests).
The all-inclusive cost is $142 CAD (about $105 USD) p.p.
This 5-hour tour has earned tons of rave reviews and includes:
- Hotel transfers in Victoria
- Choice of two departure times: 10:00 am or 1:00 pm
- Victoria’s top sights including, Fisherman’s Wharf and the Inner Harbor, with photo stops
- 2½ hours at the gardens
- Entry ticket to Butchart Gardens
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bonus: Unlike the shuttle option (#1), your ticket to the gardens is included in this tour.
3) Private luxury gardens and city tour
Traveling with family or friends? A private half-day tour is a fantastic choice. The two options below are especially ideal if you’re visiting Victoria on a cruise or on a day trip from Seattle.
As they’re private tours, you can linger longer at the gardens or add in other sights around Victoria. Just let your driver-guide know!
What’s included in the following two tours:
- Pick-up and drop-off in Victoria (hotel, Clipper or Coho ferry terminal, seaplane terminal or cruise ship port)
- Brief sightseeing stops (e.g., Fisherman’s Wharf, historic Chinatown, Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, Beacon Hill Park and Emily Carr House)
- 2 hours at Butchart Gardens
Note: The admission cost of your Butchart Gardens tickets is extra.
|
Tour
|
Details
|
|---|---|
|
3a) Private 4-hour city and gardens tour | |
|
3b) Private 5-hour city and gardens tour |
All-day Butchart Gardens tours from Vancouver
4) Combo Victoria sightseeing and gardens (by ferry and coach)
The three full-day tours below take you from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens and Victoria via BC Ferries.
They include:
- Hotel transfers from select Vancouver hotels
- Ground transportation by bus or coach
- Return ferry ride (1½ hours each way)
- Skip-the-line entry tickets to Butchart Gardens
- Time in Victoria
Where they differ is in the amount of time at the gardens vs. in Victoria, group and bus size, cost and whether you visit the gardens first or last.
|
Tour
|
Details
|
|---|---|
|
4a) Mid-sized coach tour: Butchart Gardens later | |
|
4b) Coach tour: Butchart Gardens first | |
|
4c) Coach tour: More time at Butchart Gardens |
How to choose?
One thing to consider is that these are long days (12 to 13 hours), so the timing may matter to you.
If Butchart Gardens is your top priority, you may prefer visiting it first, while you’re feeling fresh. Then you can enjoy a relaxed lunch and easy wandering in Victoria afterward.
If you see the gardens later in the day, you might find your energy flagging by then.
Also, if you want more garden time, go with 4(c), which gives you a full two hours at the gardens.
Curious about the ferry ride?
You’ll board a mini-coach or bus in Vancouver and ride to the Tsawwassen Terminal, where the 90-minute ferry sailing begins.
Once on the ferry, it’s time to stretch your legs! Head upstairs to the passenger decks, grab a bite in the cafeteria or breathe in the salty air outside as you cruise past the Gulf Islands. (We always think of the ferry as a mini-cruise.)
As the ferry nears the Swartz Bay Terminal, you’ll rejoin your bus and continue on with your adventure.
What’s the ferry like? See our guide on the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.
5) Butchart Gardens by round-trip seaplane
An exciting way of getting to Victoria and Butchart Gardens from Vancouver is to fly!
This 5-star-rated day trip with Harbour Air Seaplanes (spelled the Canadian way) whisks you from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria by floatplane.
The 35-minute flight is scenic, smooth and a lot of fun! We’ve done it ourselves – and loved splashing down in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
This hassle-free, all-inclusive tour (5 to 8 hours long) includes:
- Round-trip scenic flights (choice of morning departure and afternoon/evening return flight)
- Shuttle to and from Butchart Gardens
- Garden admission
- Free time in Victoria to explore on your own
- Recommended by 94% of travelers
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pro and con: Yes – at $732 CAD ($538 USD) p.p. – it’s pricier than other day trips from Vancouver. But you save hours of travel time compared to the ferry!
6) Combo seaplane and ferry adventure
Want the thrill of a seaplane but at a more budget-friendly price? This combo day tour lets you fly one way and return by ferry.
You’ll fly from Vancouver to Victoria in the morning (35 minutes), then return by coach and ferry in the afternoon (about 4½ hours). It costs $432 CAD ($318 USD) p.p.
What’s included in the 12-hour trip:
- One-way scenic flight with Harbour Air from Vancouver to Victoria (choose your departure time)
- Coach and ferry return (about 4½ hours in total)
- Lots of time for exploring the gardens and Victoria
- Viator “Badge of Excellence”
Once in Victoria, you arrange your own visit to the gardens (and pay for your own ticket):
- DIY: Catch a cab, Uber or the Butchart Gardens shuttle (see #1). Skip the public bus, as it’s slower and will cut into your flower time.
- Private: Want the VIP vibe? Go all out with a private city-and-gardens tour tailored to you (see #3).
Butchart Gardens tour from Seattle
7) Day tour by fast ferry
You can also visit Butchart Gardens on a day trip from Seattle by taking the high-speed Victoria Clipper ferry.
Operated by FRS Clipper (aka Clipper Vacations), this passenger-only ferry sails from Seattle’s Pier 69, across the Salish Sea, to downtown Victoria.
The ride takes around 3 hours each way. Round-trip fares start at $245 CAD ($173 USD) p.p.
The full-day outing (about 12 hours) gives you you 5 hours of free time in Victoria – enough to visit the gardens.
Your options once in Victoria:
- Do-it-yourself tour: Take the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle (see #1), a taxi or an Uber. We don’t recommend the public bus – it’s slow and eats into your garden time.
- Private tour: Make the most of your visit with a private Butchart Gardens and city sightseeing tour (see #3 for options). Pick-up is available right from the Clipper terminal in Victoria.
FAQs on a visit to Butchart Gardens
How long does it take to walk through the gardens?
You can see the highlights in 1½ hours or so. But for a more leisurely stroll, allow about 2 hours.
We’ve happily whiled away 3 hours at the gardens, simply basking in the beauty of the blooms.
Is it a guided tour all the way?
On most tours to Butchart Gardens, you’ll be given an intro to the gardens and tips on what not to miss. At the gardens, your guide may walk part of the way with you, pointing out must-see areas and secret nooks you might otherwise miss.
But the guide won’t walk with you through every corner.
And honestly? That’s a good thing. The gardens are easy to navigate – and best explored at your own pace, soaking up the beauty and tranquility as you wander.
Is afternoon tea at Butchart Gardens worth it?
Absolutely! If you have time, a delightful way to wrap up your garden experience is to treat yourself to high tea at their lovely onsite restaurant, The Dining Room (once the Butchart family home.)
Call 250-652-8222 to reserve or book online.
What’s on the menu?
- Savory sandwiches and goodies
- Their signature ginger house scones with strawberry preserve and whipped ricotta
- English trifle
- House-made sweets like Hazelnut milk chocolate truffles and lemon mousse
Now you know how to visit Butchart Gardens!
After a day at the world-famous Butchart Gardens, you’ll leave with a sense of wonder and cherished memories.
These top-rated tours make it easy to have a great time!
More Victoria travel inspiration
- Wonderful Things to Do in Victoria!
- An Insider’s Guide to the Top 10 Hotels in Victoria
- How to Get to Victoria (7 Different Ways)
- Victoria’s 10 Best Beaches (By Locals)
- 10 Easy Scenic Walks in Victoria
- 7 Beautiful Gardens to Enjoy In Victoria
- Taking the Ferry From Vancouver to Victoria
- Explore the Gorge on a Fun Pickle Boat
- 5 Charming Airbnbs and Vrbos in Victoria
- 15 Favorite Victoria Restaurants Loved by Locals
Pin this Butchart Gardens travel guide!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is perfect for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Cruises: CruiseDirect offers amazing deals on cruises (including Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn and other lines we’ve reviewed).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
About the authors
