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Victoria and Butchart Gardens, an Elevated Experience

453 Reviews 4.93 out of 5 stars Based on 453 reviews collected by Cool Vancouver and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Vancouver, Canada

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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

13 to 14 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Experience Victoria with the best of both worlds, a professional driver and a dedicated local step-on guide providing live commentary throughout the journey. You'll enjoy engaging stories, local history, and insider knowledge from departure to return.

Travel by land and sea as you journey from Vancouver through the spectacular Gulf Islands before arriving in Victoria. Explore the city's historic streets at your own pace or join the optional guided walking tour to discover hidden gems, fascinating history, and iconic landmarks with your guide. Then, enjoy skip-the-line admission to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, where you'll have time to wander through breathtaking themed gardens. Take advantage of countless photo opportunities showcasing British Columbia's dramatic coastal landscapes

To keep you refreshed throughout the day, complimentary bottled water is provided for all guests. Rain or shine, we've got you covered with complimentary umbrellas.

What's Included

  • Bottled water At least x2 water bottles per guest available per trip
  • Exclusive postcard souvenir
  • Booster seat available upon request
  • Lunch Plenty of lunch options during break in Victoria
  • Meals Breakfast and dinner options available on BC Ferries
  • Multiple languages (check-out our private tours for multilingual options)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We will contact you the day before with a precise pickup time within the window of 7:25-8:00 AM. Please be ready outside the front door of your hotel, and call us if you need any assistance with your pickup. Due to the ferry schedule, we cannot wait for late parties.We pick up from all hotels in the downtown Vancouver area. If you do not see your hotel listed, or if you are staying in the Greater Vancouver area (North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby), please contact us at the phone number provided in your ticket so we can arrange a pickup location.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Vancouver (pass by)

Your elevated adventure begins in downtown Vancouver as you travel south through the diverse communities of Richmond, Delta, and Tsawwassen. Along the way, your dedicated local step-on guide shares fascinating stories, regional history, and insights into life in British Columbia. Watch the scenery transition from Vancouver's skyline to fertile farmland, blueberry fields, greenhouses, and coastal wetlands near the Canada–United States border before arriving at the BC Ferries terminal.
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Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal Arrivals

Board a BC Ferries vessel for a spectacular 90-minute sailing through the Gulf Islands, one of British Columbia's most scenic coastal regions. Enjoy panoramic ocean views from the outdoor decks or comfortable lounges while keeping an eye out for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and, with a little luck, whales.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Victoria

Following a scenic drive into British Columbia's charming capital, you'll arrive in Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour. Here, you can choose how you'd like to experience the city.Join our optional guided walking tour, included with your ticket, with your dedicated step-on guide for fascinating stories, local history, architectural highlights, and hidden gems throughout downtown Victoria. Prefer to explore independently? Enjoy free time to browse the unique boutiques and cafés along Government Street, stroll the waterfront, visit local attractions, or simply soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.Whichever option you choose, you'll have ample time to experience the charm and beauty that make Victoria one of Canada's most beloved cities.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Start the optional walking tour at the BC Legislative Assembly Building, completed in 1897. Its copper dome and Romanesque style are illuminated at night by thousands of lights, making it one of Victoria's most iconic landmarks. It remains the working seat of British Columbia's provincial government to this day.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada

Continue the walking tour to the iconic Empress Hotel, built by the Canadian Pacific Railway as the crown jewel of Victoria's harbourfront. It remains one of Canada's most celebrated "railway hotels," alongside sister properties like the Banff Springs and Château Frontenac. Today it's renowned for its elegant afternoon tea service, having hosted royalty, dignitaries, and travelers from around the world for over a century. Enjoy a quick photo-op with a beautiful view of Victoria's inner-harbour.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Government Street

Walk up Government Street, as your guide points out the best restaurants, boutiques, and hidden gems Victoria has to offer.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site

Our walking tour ends at Victoria's Chinatown. Dating back to the 1850s gold rush era when Chinese immigrants arrived to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, making it the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Centered around Fan Tan Alley—often cited as one of the narrowest streets in North America—the district was once home to gambling dens, opium factories, and a thriving merchant community. Today it's a vibrant mix of historic architecture, herbal shops, and restaurants that still reflects over 150 years of history.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mile Zero (pass by)

As we pass the western tip of Beacon Hill Park, keep your camera ready for Mile Zero of the Trans-Canada Highway—the official starting point of Canada's longest road, stretching nearly 8,000 km all the way to Newfoundland. Right beside it stands the Terry Fox monument, honouring the young Canadian hero who lost his leg to cancer and decided to run across the country. His Marathon of Hope inspired a nation, and has since raised millions for cancer research. Though Terry never reached this coast, Mile Zero is one of Victoria's most moving and photographed landmarks.
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The Butchart Gardens

Skip the ticket lines and immerse yourself in one of the world's most celebrated botanical gardens. A National Historic Site of Canada, The Butchart Gardens features over 55 acres of spectacular floral displays, including the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, and Dancing Fountain. Enjoy approximately two hours to explore at your own pace while complimentary bottled water helps keep you refreshed.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Swartz Bay Terminal

Finish your day with another beautiful BC Ferries crossing before returning to Vancouver. Relax and enjoy one final opportunity to admire British Columbia's stunning coastline, islands, and marine wildlife while reflecting on a memorable day of history, nature, and unforgettable scenery.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Vancouver (pass by)

Conclude you day with a quiet ride back to your hotel from the ferry terminal. To thank you for joining us to Victoria, our guide will hand out beautifully designed, nature postcard souvenirs created by a local artist in Squamish.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in the undercarriage. Wheelchair available upon request.
  • Coach buses kneel for easier entry and exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

(8)

Q: Will I get seasick on Victoria and Butchart Gardens, an Elevated Experience?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5538426P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.93
453 reviews

Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 453 traveler reviews collected by Cool Vancouver and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
427
4 stars
20
3 stars
5
2 stars
1
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled waterAt least x2 water bottles per guest available per trip
  • Exclusive postcard souvenir
  • Booster seat available upon request
  • Butchart Gardens (skip-the-line tickets)
  • For days with 8 passengers or less, we send a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van with a driver-guide for a more personalized experience.
  • Optional Victoria walking tour
  • 2025 Prevost H3-45 Passenger Coach
  • BC Ferries round-trip tickets
  • 2025 Prevost H3-45 Passenger Coach
  • Wheelchair available upon request
  • Step-on Guide
  • LunchPlenty of lunch options during break in Victoria
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner options available on BC Ferries
  • Multiple languages (check-out our private tours for multilingual options)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in the undercarriage. Wheelchair available upon request.
  • Coach buses kneel for easier entry and exit.
  • Water bottles provided.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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