Victoria Travel Forum

What is the most expeditous way to get from downtown Vancouver to Butchart Gardens (other than flying). It seems there is no way to avoid a 3.5 hr trip each way. If doing a day excursion, this leaves little time to actually see the gardens. any suggestions? Would you recommend a stay over in Victoria (we have a few days before heading north to Alaska).
Right now the best way seems to be the Vancouver Bus Terminal/PacificCoach -BC Ferry Term-Swartz Bay-local bus to Butchart.
Is there a better way???

There's a lot to see in Victoria, even if you leave Vancouver early, you'll get there midday and then by the time you get to the gardens it'll be even later. If you can spare a day, I'd recommend overnighting in Victoria.

I think we took the same route you mention, a bus from Vancouver to the ferry port, then a ferry to Victoria, then another bus once we got to Victoria.

My tips are a couple of years old but this is how we did it, we left Vancouver at 7 am and got to central Victoria at noon

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/411f2/dc7d4/9/

The ferry is the only way, I have done the same route, and from the ferry I also took the bus to Victoria. It is a nice city, and you can easily spend there the whole day, the town has lots of Bed and Breakfasts, I would stay there for the night!

Being the person who was dragged (kicking & screaming) by Dabs to said bus at wayyyyyy too early in the morning, I thought I'd give you my 2 cents . . .

This question is probably the most asked one about British Columbia. Somehow tourists get it in their minds that they can visit Victoria & Butchart Gardens in an easy day trip. You can't. The travel time simply excludes that. There is much to see in Victoria, so a 2 to 3 day trip to both is more reasonable.

Incidentally, I wouldn't waste my money on that Pacific Coach. Just visit http://translink.ca to find out what buses you need to take. The connections are very simple.

We took a day tour to Victoria which included approx 2 hours at Buchart Gardens.

It was the easy way to travel as the tour coy picked us up from our hotel and delivered us back at end of day. A great day out.

Details of the tour coy on either my Vancouver or Victoria page, I think there is a web page address.

Good Luck,
Mike