The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle from Downtown Victoria
Victoria, Canada
- 3 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria's most popular attractions—but if you don't have your own transit, getting there from the city center can be tricky. Instead, make logistics simple with this round-trip shuttle service. With multiple daily departure times and transit from a central meeting point, you can leave the logistics to someone else—and save more time for a self-led, sweet-smelling stroll through the 55-acre (22.2-hectare) garden (admission own expense).
- Travel in comfort and ease aboard a spacious shuttle bus
- Leave all the logistics and navigation to someone else
- This transit service is a great option for independent-minded travelers
- A number of departure times are available to fit your schedule
What's Included
- Only Transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria721 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada
Please proceed to the Sightseeing Victoria Kiosk, on the sidewalk in front of the Fairmont Empress hotel. Please check in 15 minutes prior to your tour start time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
This Butchart Gardens express shuttle offers convenient transport to and from the attraction.
At your chosen time, meet your shuttle bus in the city center, right near the Fairmont Empress hotel. Once you board your vehicle, settle in for the ride, which takes about 35 minutes from downtown Victoria without major traffic delays. You also have the option of pre-booking admission tickets when you board for an even smoother visiting experience.
Alternatively, once at Butchart Gardens, pay for your admission tickets and head inside. You'll have ample time to explore at your own pace, and admire the wide range of plantings and attractions on view, before it’s time for your ride back to downtown Victoria.
Drop-off is at the same spot you were picked up from originally.
At your chosen time, meet your shuttle bus in the city center, right near the Fairmont Empress hotel. Once you board your vehicle, settle in for the ride, which takes about 35 minutes from downtown Victoria without major traffic delays. You also have the option of pre-booking admission tickets when you board for an even smoother visiting experience.
Alternatively, once at Butchart Gardens, pay for your admission tickets and head inside. You'll have ample time to explore at your own pace, and admire the wide range of plantings and attractions on view, before it’s time for your ride back to downtown Victoria.
Drop-off is at the same spot you were picked up from originally.
1
The Butchart Gardens
3 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Butchart Gardens offers wheelchair hire for a fully refundable $10 deposit. If a passenger is in their own collapsible wheelchair, but not completely confined to it and are able to board the bus unassisted, the chair can be stored as luggage. If a passenger is confined to a wheelchair, please advise at time of booking and wheelchair access will be requested.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 620 reviews
Anita_H, Apr 2026
Our driver was extremely prompt and very interesting. It was a very comfortable way to learn about Victoria and also a easy way to get to Buchart Gardens.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind review! Hope to see you again soon!
John_B, Apr 2026
The pick up, on the street in front of the Fairmont Empress and drop off at the Garden entrance was very convenient. We were able to purchase tickets to the gardens at the kiosk where we checked in for the shuttle. Our driver (Cleon) was very nice and shared lots of fun facts both to and from the Gardens. Sit on the top at the front for the best views.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind review! Hope to see you again soon!
Dawn_A, Apr 2026
This shouldn't be called the "garden experience" if it doesn't include garden admission. The garden was lovely but there's no point in taking the shuttle if you're not going to go into the gardens so why would the garden experience not include the shuttle AND entry? Very misleading.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
On a third party operator such as Viator we cannot include the admission ticket. This is why we have it available for you to purchase at our kiosk upon check-in or on our own website or you can purchase it once you get to the gardens. Thank you!
Pam_H, Mar 2026
Beautiful gardens!! The grounds are immaculate and the staff are quite friendly. I’m looking at the gardens for a private group event in July and I think this would be a lovely venue
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your review! Please let us know about any group wanting to come out with us :)
Lys_F, Oct 2025
Waiting in the rain was no fun! Could shelter in Empress and use washroom, hoping bus didn’t come too soon. Bus was 15 to 20 mins late and the other 3 passengers and myself got soaked. Narrative from driver fears interesting.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello, thank you for your feedback. We were unlucky with the weather this October and it is a shame you had to wait in the rain.
Kathleen_P, Oct 2025
Bus left on time both going to and returning from the garden. Driver (Sarah) was wonderful, full of enthusiasm and gave lots of information about the city and the garden en route
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
MaryAnn_A, Oct 2025
The “office” where you redeem your voucher is actually a little umbrella stand in front of the bus.
Go on the 9:30 am bus. The gardens are the least busy at opening. It rained the day we went and it was great because a lot of people don’t go when it rains! Rain was intermittent. Don’t bring an umbrella. They have plenty of free see through umbrellas for you to use. Taking photos on cloudy day is also good. You don’t need to worry about shadows or sun in your wrong direction for photos. We were amazed at the number of flowers in bloom- dahlias, begonias. Impatiens, mums , amazing varieties of coleus, trees turning gold and orange, penstemons, blue salvia and lots of exotic plants. The bus is just a shuttle but the local driver Sarah gives an amazing tour and narration. Everyone tipped her because she was so good. Hot dogs in coffee shop are good! We were done touring and were ready go back at 12:30 . If you want to see the Japanese garden the most, walk there first because the paths are narrow and not enjoyable later when too many people show up at once. Great place to visit !
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
Lisa_M, Oct 2025
Sarah, the driver was amazing. Gave the history of the garden and the family as well as other Victoria history. Enjoyed the trip and the gardens.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
Douglas_B, Oct 2025
Expensive but worth the drive aste driver was excellent and like a tour guide. I would recommend it to other people
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
Donald_B, Oct 2025
Take the stress out of driving in town. We stayed downtown Victoria and didn't want to drive while there so we took the shuttle and are glad we did! Informative ride to the gardens with prompt pickup and delivery. Once we figured out where the "kiosk" was it was stress free travel, always appreciated.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
HELEN_G, Oct 2025
It was an easy walk. Well laid out and easy to navigate. Fountains and flowers were beautiful Combination of plants was well thought out. However, be aware of your timing so you don't miss your bus.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
Susan_S, Oct 2025
Very efficient, great driver w/ lovely narration.
Liked the double-deck option, too.
Was a bit unsure if ticket price included return, though
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review. Hope to see you again soon!
James_K, Sep 2025
Both Rob and Emily gave awesome information on our ride to the Gardens. They were friendly and fun! Super convenient to meet up in front of the Empress Hotel
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! I will pass it along to both Emily and Rob. Hope to see you again soon!
Terry_U, Sep 2025
Timely informative bus drivers. Very heavy traffic but we were on time both directions. Bus drivers provided commentary during the whole trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Traci_H, Sep 2025
There are buses leaving the garden every hour, which makes it very easy to plan your day around this visit. The gardens were beautiful. If you’ve ever wondered why someone might spend a vacation day wandering around gardens, you should visit this place. It’s spectacular.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Daniel_M, Sep 2025
The gardens were amazing and a must see! The bus drivers were fantastic and provided great info on the gardens and Victoria. Such a great time!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Susan_F, Sep 2025
Awesome garden. Good bus driver and comfortable bus. BAD directions where to meet bus - three different meet up locations given. Rude ticket agents at bus stop.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! I'm sorry you got the wrong directions on where to meet. Our kiosks are centrally located in front of the Empress Hotel in the inner harbour and have this departure address on the booking confirmations.
Waltraud_T, Sep 2025
Very good driver Sharing a lot of Information and also tellung funny Stories also good gibt’s how to visit the garden
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Cary_L, Sep 2025
Efficient way to visit Butchart Gardens. The drivers were very knowledgeable about Victoria and shared lots of information
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Jordan_L, Sep 2025
You need this shuttle if you're going to the gardens! They are over 30 minutes from downtown. Very friendly and chatty driver prepares you for what you will enjoy at TBG.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Cynthia_W, Sep 2025
On time, clean and comfortable way to get to the Butchart Gardens with some narration of city history along the way
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Brett_M, Sep 2025
Great experience. Highly recommend. Meet the bus in front of the empress hotel. The driver gave an outstanding narration as we drove to the gardens. Just jumped on the bus on the return and our other driver did equally as well on the return. Very nice people.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Laura_B, Sep 2025
Sarah, our bus driver, was the best. She delivered a lot of information and in a very enjoyable manner. We were lucky enough to have her going to and back from the gardens. The gardens are a must see with spectacular bursts of color and beautiful fountains. The restaurant was charming.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Olivia_C, Sep 2025
Got inspired to purchase the seeds from the gift shop. I was told shouldn’t have problem at customs. How ever if u declare - you must pass additional screening.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! You should reach out to the gardens and make them aware as we are separate companies. Hope to see you again soon.
Cheryl_R, Sep 2025
Actually enjoyed the trip to and from the Gardens with the entertaining and informative narratives of Rob and Emily. The bus is very comfortable with easy viewing of the sights along the way. We enjoyed the flexibility of the hourly departures from the gardens letting us tailor our stay to the exact length we desired.
I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello! Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again soon.
Cheryl_D, Aug 2025
This place is magical. So much beauty in one spot. The flowers were so vibrant. The grounds were well maintained.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you next time!
Carol_W, Aug 2025
Beauty beyond amazing. Excellent walkways, gorgeous flowers and plants, great dining including high tea.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you next time!
Kim_F, Aug 2025
Great commentary during the trip! Our driver had a great sense of humor, in addition to having a command of facts and history.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you next time!
Jeffrey_B, Aug 2025
Very knowledgeable and entertaining shuttle driver. The Butchart Gardens are incredibly beautiful and amazingly manicured.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you next time!
Marilyn_K, Aug 2025
on time, good narration covering downtown history/sites, current civic issues, agriculture, and very entertaining personal histories. But I found details lacking on marketing page and hard to obtain for planning (e.g. hours of operation-return shuttle ends at 5pm). It all worked out fine.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you next time!
From $46.18
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Current
The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle from Downtown Victoria
620
5 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$46.18
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