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How To Get To Butchart Gardens From Victoria: No Car, No Problem

Welcome to the ultimate guide on how to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria without a vehicle.

If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful destination, you may be discouraged by its distant Brentwood Bay location.

Not to worry! In this article, we’ve got you covered with all the transport options to make your journey from Victoria to Butchart Gardens as stress-free as possible.

• Public transportation
• The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle

How to Get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria

Butchart Gardens is the undisputed jewel in Victoria’s tourist crown. Such are the wonders of this 55-acre botanical wonder that it has been named a National Historic Site and currently attracts over one million visitors per year . This plants it right at the top of our list of the best things to do in Victoria .

The downside? To smell the roses amongst Butchart’s lush blooms, you’ll have to travel to the suburb of Brentwood Bay , about 25 kilometres north of town.

Luckily, journeying from Victoria to Butchart Gardens has never been easier for those without a vehicle.

Our guide outlines 3 of the transportation flowers in the Butchart bouquet to ensure a seamless journey to this floral wonderland .

⛴️ Heading in from the mainland? Check out our guide on how to get to Victoria from Vancouver before you leave the dock.

#1: How to Get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria with Public Transportation

Time: 1 hour | Departure Point: Belleville St. | Price: $2.50 (one way) | Best for: Budget travellers

Public transportation is the most economical way to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria. The #75 Saanichton Exchange bus will be your best bet, departing from Legislature Terminal near the Empress Hotel.

It travels up Douglas Street from its Inner Harbour departure point all the way to Brentwood Bay. It’ll take a while, but you’ll eventually end up outside the Butchart Gardens gates.

• Find your way to the Legislature Terminal on Belleville Street.
• Take the #75 Saanichton Exchange Bus towards Brentwood Bay.
• Stay aboard until you reach the Benevento and Todd Inlet stop (the 41st stop).
• The main entrance of the Gardens is located a short stroll away.
• Easily accessible
• Time-consuming
• Inefficient
• Uncomfortable
• Infrequent departures

As you can see, public transit is a dirt-cheap option for getting from Downtown Victoria to Butchart Gardens.

But unless you’re familiar with the area and the Victoria transit system, it can be downright confusing .

What’s more, once you factor in wait times, traffic, and possible delays, you could be looking at a travel time of up to 3 hours round-trip .

I don’t know about you, but that’s not how I’d like to spend my vacation. So unless finances are a serious consideration, there are better options.

Related: Victoria’s Best Parks & Gardens: a Guide to the City’s Green Spaces

#2: Butchart Gardens from Victoria with Rideshare

Time: 40 min | Departure Point: Custom | Price: $60.00 (one way) | Best for: Premium travellers

In a perfect world, we’d all be guaranteed comfortable, private, air-conditioned door-to-door transport to Butchart Gardens from our Victoria hotels . Unfortunately for most of us, finances tend to get in the way.

Nevertheless, popular rideshares like Uber and Lyft are now available in Victoria . So, if money isn’t a factor, you’re more than welcome to indulge.

• Arrange for a private car on your favourite ride-share app.
• Pick Butchart Gardens at 800 Benvenuto Avenue as your destination.
• Enjoy the 30-40-minute drive to Brentwood Bay.
• Flexibility

Taking an Uber from Downtown Victoria to Butchart is the quickest, most efficient way to meet your destination . But at well over $100 return , it is clearly cost-prohibitive for most travellers.

So, if the bus is too time-consuming and rideshare is too expensive , what is one to do? Luckily, we’ve got the perfect compromise.

Related: The Top Things to Do in Victoria in Summer

#3: The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle

Time: 40 min | Departure Point: Empress Hotel | Price: $50.00 roundtrip | Best for: Everyone else

The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle is the best option for travellers wondering how to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria without a car. The shuttle offers comfortable round-trip transportation and a flexible departure schedule . All for less than a one-way Uber trip!

Why juggle maps and timetables when you can enjoy a direct, comfortable ride with a professional guide straight to the gates of this floral paradise?

Follow the steps below to book your shuttle now:

• Visit the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle page from our friends at Viator.
• Select your optimal departure time and check out. You’ll receive free cancellation and buy now, pay later tickets with Viator’s coveted low-price guarantee .
• Meet your driver/tour group at the designated meeting point near the entrance to the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
• Benefit from your driver’s in-depth knowledge as they discuss the gardens’ highlights and share historical and botanical anecdotes during the drive.
• Purchase your Butchart Gardens admission upon arrival ( *tickets are not included ). Stay as long as you like and choose from any of the hourly return shuttles back to the Empress. Just remember, the shuttle schedule is reduced outside of high season.
• Convenience
• Numerous daily departures
• Professional Guide
• 1/2 the price of a return Uber fare
• Admission isn’t included
• Must adapt to a shuttle schedule

Looking for a quick tour directly from Vancouver? Check out our guide on Butchart Gardens Tours from Vancouver .

Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle Reviews

Still wondering how to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria? Before you continue your search, keep in mind that the Express Shuttle has managed to maintain a stunning 4.5-star rating with over 500 reviews.

Here’s a quick sample:

Remember, the shuttle isn’t just a ride; it’s a gateway to a botanical wonderland . Plus, with a professional guide as your driver, you’ll be treated to insider insights and stories that enrich your visit.

It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enhancing your entire experience with the ease, comfort, and added value that only the Express Shuttle can provide.

To purchase your tickets, click on the banner below:

Related: How to get to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver: A Botanical Escape

How to Get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria FAQs

How far is butchart gardens from victoria.

Butchart Gardens is located about 21 kilometres (13 miles) north of Downtown Victoria, in the suburb of Brentwood Bay. The journey takes anywhere from 35-50 minutes by car or Uber, depending on traffic, with public transportation typically taking well over an hour.

How to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria without a car?

There are several options for visiting Butchart Gardens without a car. The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle is highly recommended for its convenience and affordability. You can also use the #75 Saanichton Exchange bus, operated by BC Transit, or opt for rideshare, though you’ll be looking at a $50+ trip each way.

What’s the best way to get from Victoria to Butchart Gardens?

The best way to get from Downtown Victoria to Butchart Gardens combines convenience with comfort, and that’s the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle. The shuttle departs from the Fairmont Empress Hotel and offers flexible round-trip transit to Butchart Gardens with numerous daily departures.

Can I get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria by public transportation?

Yes, you can reach Butchart Gardens from Victoria by public transportation. The #75 Saanichton Exchange bus can take you to Butchart Gardens from Legislature Terminal or along Douglas Street. At $2.50, the bus offers a budget-friendly option for visitors, though it will take as much as 90 minutes each way.

What are the advantages of using the Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle?

The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it offers direct transportation from Victoria, eliminating the hassle of navigating public transit routes with transfers. Secondly, the comfort and convenience of this service are unparalleled, providing a relaxed environment as you head to the gardens. And lastly, it comes in at around half the price of a return trip via ride-share.

Figured out how to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria?

As our guide comes to a close, you’re now equipped with all the knowledge to navigate from Victoria to Butchart Gardens with ease.

Whether you’re after efficiency, speed, affordability, or the entire package, your journey to this iconic destination is sure to be as enriching as the gardens themselves.

Hopefully, we’ve helped you figure out how to get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria in one piece. Now, all you have to do is enjoy the blooms.

Bon voyage!

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• Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)

CVS Tours versus Big Bus to Butchart Gardens

By ElmwoodPark , July 23, 2018 in Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)

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ElmwoodPark

I was going to book the transportation and tickets to go to Butchart Gardens through CVS tours. I then noticed that Big Bus Victoria also offered the transportation and entrance tickets for a lot less money. Anyone use Big Bus or know the difference to justify such a large price difference?

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I took a look at both tours and the difference is $15 for an adult ticket. The CVS tour also makes a stop at Butterfly Gardens which could be the difference in price.

It looks like a pretty clear example of Big Bus trying to expand their offerings and undercutting CVS to give them a better chance to do so. Note the more limited shuttle times, and restricted days of operation compared to CVS, and the oddity of the Saturday Fireworks being sold as a separate item at a higher price (included for same charge with CVS, they just alter the time of their last shuttle to accommodate them).

Plus, as noted, the Butterfly gardens seems to have reappeared on the CVS summer schedule which did bump their price up again. CVS also sell walk-ups, useful for cruisers as Victoria can be impacted by weather, can have visits deliberately shortened by cruiselines if there's an upstream problem and they are behind schedule, and the length of time it takes to get the ship processed and have pax able to walk off is also variable. I don't know that Big Bus would not sell walkup tickets also, perhaps they do, but with 2 hour gaps between buses it's still a lot less flexible than CVS for the day time cruise stops...

• 1 month later...

We'll be in Victoria on the RCI Explorer next week. We were planning to do a walk up for a bus to Butchart Gardens - the plan had been CVS; looking now also at Big Bus. Is it better to book and pay ahead, or due to potential weather impacts, wait till we get there? Either way, will we be ok exchange-wise using a credit card or should we try to exchange for cash? I always get so confused with exchange rates!:loudcry:

I'd buy as a walk-up, especially this late in the season, just in case of a delay or entirely missed port.

Unless your credit card has a truly obscene markup it will be the cheapest way to pay. Typical cards charge the actual interbank rate plus 2.5%; many have no extra fees at all but you'd have to check your own credit card paperwork to find out. The only way to beat even the typical 2.5% padded rate is to have a Debit card without fees and use that to withdraw cash at an ATM - any 'cash for cash' exchange on the ship or in a Forex on land will have a wider margin (i.e. cost you more US to buy the same amount of CAD).

I'd buy as a walk-up, especially this late in the season, just in case of a delay or entirely missed port.   Unless your credit card has a truly obscene markup it will be the cheapest way to pay. Typical cards charge the actual interbank rate plus 2.5%; many have no extra fees at all but you'd have to check your own credit card paperwork to find out. The only way to beat even the typical 2.5% padded rate is to have a Debit card without fees and use that to withdraw cash at an ATM - any 'cash for cash' exchange on the ship or in a Forex on land will have a wider margin (i.e. cost you more US to buy the same amount of CAD).

Good advice, thanks! Our credit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so I think that'll be the way to go. Now just crossing our fingers we'll actually stop at the port!

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Explore Victoria at your own pace with our flexible tours. Hop on our iconic Double Decker buses , enjoy a comfortable motor coach tour to Butchart Gardens , or immerse yourself in the city lights on our Evening City Sites tour .

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Explore the world-famous garden with its captivating themed gardens, exotic plants, and serene water features. It’s an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression!

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• About this activity

The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle

• Printed voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Professionally narrated tour to lovely Butchart Gardens
• Convenient transport in a comfortable, luxury bus
• Learning the history of the gardens & surrounding area
• Elaborate bird houses, duck ponds & a garden statuary
• A gorgeous sunken garden & beautiful floral fountains

Activity location

• 721 Government Street
• V8W 1W5, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

Check availability.

• Wed., Jul. 3 -
• Thu., Jul. 4 -
• Fri., Jul. 5 -
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• Tue., Jul. 9 -
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• Mon., Jul. 15 -
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• Wed., Jul. 17 -

Sorry this activity isn't available on Wed, Jul 3

What's included, what's not.

• What's included What's included Return transport to and from Fairmont Empress Hotel
• What's included What's included Live tour commentary provided in English
• What's excluded What's excluded All meals and drinks

Know before you book

• Children 4 and younger are complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult.
• You can choose any departure or return time from the timetable to customise the length of your trip.
• On firework nights the buses will depart from Butchart Gardens 15minutes after the fireworks
• There is no 10pm departure from Butchart Gardens on Fireworks night
• Children from ages 0-4 are complimentary, but must sit on a parents lap

What you can expect

Take in the stunning natural beauty of Butchart Gardens, a famous and admired attraction full of floral displays and stone paths. Embark on a narrated trip from Victoria in a luxury bus, and choose how long you want your trip to be with the freedom to pick from several departure and return times.

In 1904, this magnificent 55-acre (22-ha) green space was conceived on the grounds of a former quarry site. Walk down quaint stone paths and hear the bubbling streams nearby. Take pleasure in the colourful flowers, verdant trees, and vivid plant life surrounding you. Your senses delight in the smells of the aromatic flora and the sights of the plethora of colours that change with the seasons.

Expansive lawns give way to meticulously arranged flowerbeds and a humbling Japanese garden. Every corner of the park offers something new. Multiple bus departures and return transfers are available throughout the day, allowing you to spend as much, or as little, time as you wish at the gardens. Let the surroundings take you away to a relaxing state of mind.

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