Booking choice: The Landsea tour by bus, from $221 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
All six day tours below include the round-trip BC Ferries crossing, admission to the Butchart Gardens and a driver-guide. None include lunch or tips, and all cancel free up to 24 hours before on Viator.
Ratings and review counts are live Viator and Tripadvisor figures; prices are USD from-prices per adult and move with the season.
The quick answer
For the most time in Victoria, Landsea ($221) or the Discover Canada mini-coach ($257). For the gardens first, the Westcoast Sightseeing day trip ($185) or Pacific Coach ($184). For the best rating, STAR Sightseeing (4.9, $215). For the lowest price, the budget combo ($162).
How do the Victoria and Butchart day tours compare?
They split into Victoria-first and gardens-first tours, with 1.5 to 2 hours in the gardens and 1 to 3 hours in Victoria.
| Tour | Order | Gardens | Victoria | Vehicle | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landsea tour by bus | Victoria first | 1.5 h | 3 h | Coach, max 30 | 4.7 (2,320) | $221 |
| Westcoast Sightseeing day trip | Gardens first | 2 h | 2 h | Coach | 4.6 (3,169) | $185 |
| Discover Canada mini-coach | Victoria first | 1 h 45 | 3 h | Mini-coach, max 24 | 4.8 (650) | $257 |
| Budget combo tour | Gardens first | 1 h 45 | 1 h + pass-bys | Small vehicles | 4.8 (488) | $162 |
| Pacific Coach | Gardens first | 2 h | 1.5 h | Executive coach, restroom | 4.7 (672) | $184 |
| STAR Sightseeing | Victoria first | 2 h | 2 h | 2025 coach, restroom, max 50 | 4.9 (545) | $215 |
Leaning towards the classic? Three hours in Victoria, then the gardens, from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Check dates for the Landsea tour by busLandsea: the classic, with the most time in Victoria
Landsea's tour by bus ($221, 4.7 from 2,320 reviews) gives about 3 hours in Victoria, then 1.5 hours in the gardens.
Meet at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (be there at 7:35 AM for the 8:00 tour or 8:35 AM for the 9:00 tour), or call the operator to arrange hotel pickup. The coach is not wheelchair accessible but takes strollers. Guests praise the driver-guides; the most common wish is a little longer in the gardens.
Westcoast Sightseeing: the most reviewed, gardens first
The Big Bus Vancouver and Westcoast Sightseeing day trip ($185, 4.6 from 3,169 reviews) goes to the gardens first for about 2 hours, then gives 2 hours in Victoria.
Pickup is from select downtown Vancouver points, and you get a downloadable Inner Harbour walking tour for your free time. It returns on a late-afternoon ferry. Good for anyone who wants the gardens while they are fresh.
Gardens while you are fresh? The most reviewed tour goes to Butchart first, then gives two hours in Victoria.
Explore the gardens-first day tripDiscover Canada Tours: a smaller group
The mini-coach tour ($257, 4.8 from 650 reviews) caps the group at 24, with about 3 hours around the Inner Harbour and 1 hour 45 minutes in the gardens.
It starts at Canada Place, with no hotel pickup, and is the priciest of the six. Guests mention plenty of bathroom breaks and a well-paced day; one guest on a hot day found the coach warm and the Victoria time shorter than listed.
Jupiter Legend: the budget pick
The budget combo tour ($162, 4.8 from 488 reviews) is the cheapest day tour, with small vehicles, snacks and water.
It goes to the gardens first for 1 hour 45 minutes, then gives about 1 hour at the Inner Harbour, with pass-bys of Chinatown, Beacon Hill Park and Mile Zero. The operator asks for a 15 to 20% gratuity on top. Best for travelers who care more about the gardens than about time in the city.
Watching the budget? The combo tour is the lowest-priced day with the ferry and ticket included.
Check dates for the budget combo tourPacific Coach: two hours in the gardens, restroom on board
Pacific Coach ($184, 4.7 from 672 reviews) spends 2 hours in the gardens first, then about 1.5 hours in Victoria, in an executive coach with a restroom.
It picks up from select downtown hotels, has luggage storage and a senior price band from age 61. One guest in September 2026 found it long but worth it, and better as a summer trip, as shops close early in the fall.
STAR Sightseeing: the top-rated tour
STAR Sightseeing ($215, 4.9 from 545 reviews) is the best rated, with hotel pickup, a 2025 coach with a restroom and skip-the-line garden tickets.
Pickup runs from downtown hotels between 7:25 and 8:00 AM. You get about 2 hours in Victoria, with an optional walking tour, then 2 hours in the gardens. Water is provided, and umbrellas if it rains. The coach takes up to 50.
Want the best-rated day? Hotel pickup, a new coach and two hours in each place.
Explore the top-rated sea and land tourWhich tour should you choose?
Match the tour to what matters most: time in Victoria, time in the gardens, group size, price or rating.
- Most time in Victoria: Landsea or the Discover Canada mini-coach.
- Gardens first: Westcoast Sightseeing or Pacific Coach.
- Smaller group: Discover Canada (max 24) or the budget combo's small vehicles.
- Restroom on board: Pacific Coach or STAR.
- Lowest price: the budget combo, $162.
- Staying the night instead: the coach and ferry transfer plus the Butchart tour from Victoria.
- No 13-hour day: the half-day whale watch from Vancouver.
Decided? Every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Landsea tour by busFrequently asked questions
What is the best Victoria and Butchart Gardens tour from Vancouver?
It depends on your priorities: Landsea for three hours in Victoria, STAR Sightseeing for the best rating (4.9), Pacific Coach or Westcoast Sightseeing for the gardens first, and the budget combo for the lowest price.
Which tour gives the most time at the Butchart Gardens?
Pacific Coach, STAR Sightseeing and Westcoast Sightseeing each list about 2 hours. From Victoria, the Island Time tour gives about 2.5 hours.
Do the tours include hotel pickup?
Some do: STAR Sightseeing collects from downtown hotels, Landsea can arrange it by phone, and others use set downtown points. Discover Canada starts at Canada Place.
Are the Victoria tours wheelchair accessible?
Not all: the Landsea coach is not wheelchair accessible, while STAR Sightseeing lists a wheelchair available on request. Ask the operator before booking.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour by Bus
- Round-trip BC Ferries crossing through the Gulf Islands
- Admission to the Butchart Gardens (about 1.5 hours there)
- About 3 hours of free time in downtown Victoria
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Sea and Land Tour
New coaches, hotel pickup and two hours in the gardens
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trip
- Round-trip BC Ferries cruise and coach transport
- Admission to the Butchart Gardens with free time
- Two hours of free time in downtown Victoria
