Victoria - Most cost effective way to get to Butchart Gardens ?

In going for a one day stop in Victoria in May, I am wondering what the most cost effective way there is to get to Butchart Gardens?

 

Rental car?

 

Taxi ?

 

City Bus? And how do you find it?

 

Tour through cruise line is $80.00 per person and you only get 3 hours there and our cruise is there all day. I don't want to be rushed.

 

Thank you for your help

Local transit is the cheapest. Here is the link. https://bctransit.com/victoria/home

 

Taxi would be very expensive as it is at least a half hour drive away.

There may also be other suggestions on the West Coast Departures board under the North American Homeports Forum.

 

West Coast Departures

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413

 

 

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This is how we did last trip....we walked into town and caught the bus in front of the Fairmont.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Victoria/Butchart-Gardens-Tour-from-Victoria/d617-33902A/important-info

We rented a car from Enterprise. They picked us up at the port, so that was super convenient. Having a car gives you the freedom to do what you want to do; after the gardens, we found a lovely park on the water (Mt. Douglas Park), and took a leisurely stroll. Once we returned the car, we had them drop us off in the middle of the touristy shopping area, and then we took the cheap bus back to the port. A perfect day!

We rented from Enterprise, too. Very good rate through a Big Box TA site and split it 3 ways with 2 other couples (had a van) - downright cheap - way less than the 80.00 PP for Princess, and we had the freedom of our own car.

Watching with interest. We're on the same cruise and have the same question.

If someone suggests the city bus, how do we find the time schedule?

Someone mentioned they caught it in front of the Empress, but how did you find the time schedule?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Sherry

As mentioned the cheapest way would be to walk into town and to get a bus from downtown.

 

Keith

Local transit is the cheapest. Here is the link. https://bctransit.com/victoria/home

 

Taxi would be very expensive as it is at least a half hour drive away.

We also found this to be least expensive.

In going for a one day stop in Victoria in May, I am wondering what the most cost effective way there is to get to Butchart Gardens?

 

Rental car?

 

Taxi ?

 

City Bus? And how do you find it?

 

Tour through cruise line is $80.00 per person and you only get 3 hours there and our cruise is there all day. I don't want to be rushed.

 

Thank you for your help

 

We always take a public bus. $2 CDN each way. Bus runs are frequent. About a 30 minute ride. Easy.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Kingofcool1947

...we found a lovely park on the water (Mt. Douglas Park), and took a leisurely stroll.

 

My childhood playground. :D

Check Uber or lyft.

 

 

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Watching with interest. We're on the same cruise and have the same question.

Here is a detailed explanation from the review of our 2013 cruise on the Grand Princess. I would check the bus routes to make sure they haven't changed--it has been four years!

 

MAY28 (TUES) VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA: 7 AM to 1:30 PM

 

Withso much to see and do in Victoria (www.tourismvictoria.com),it was disappointing that Princess onlyallowed 6-1/2 hours of port time. On a previous visit here, we hadwalked to the Inner Harbour and booked a whale watching tour there(www.princeofwhales.com). Today, we planned to take the public bus toButchart Gardens.

 

Wewere ready to go when passengers were finally allowed to disembark atabout 7:30 a.m. The terminal building did not appear open yet but aperson was outside distributing maps with several routes to the citycenter. We took off at top speed up Montreal St., stopping at theLittle Gem Grocery (148 Superior) to buy an all-day bus pass (CA$5pp). From there, we walked to the stop for bus #75 northbound towardsSaanichton/ Royal Oak(www.bctransit.com/regions/vic/schedules/map.cfm?p=side.txt&line=75&);the bus stop is across the street from rearof theEmpress Hotel. If you want to take the public bus, pay closeattention to the routes and schedules. Depending on the time of year,the northbound #75 bus may not stop right at the Butchart Gardens andthe southbound bus may require a transfer to another line at theRoyal Oak interchange. Thetrip from downtown to Butchart Gardens takes about 50 minutes withouta transfer or about 65-75 minutes if you have to transfer.

 

Wearrived at the bus stop with plenty of time to catch the 8 a.m. bus.When we told the driver that we were going to the gardens, he said hewould make sure we got off at the correct stop. Ourbus stopped just past the entrance drive to the gardens. The busdriver pointed out the direction to go; the entrance kiosk is onlyabout a ¼ mile walk downhill from the bus stop. Note that this isalong a narrow street with no sidewalks.

 

Wearrived at the Butchart Gardens (www.butchartgardens.com) entrancekiosk just before the official opening time of 9 a.m., paid theadmission fee (which varies by season) and headed off to explore thegardens. Unfortunately, it had started to rain lightly. Although wehad come prepared for rain, we were pleased to see that the gardensprovide transparent umbrellas for guests to use during their visit.

 

Themap and guide given out at the entrance kiosk shows a suggested paththrough the gardens. Because we arrived earlier than most of the bustour groups, the gardens were not crowded and we could enjoy andphotograph the colorful plantings without feeling like we were beingherded along. There are several themed gardens, fountains and ponds.It's hard to believe that this is a reclaimed quarry! At this time ofyear, the roses were not yet blooming but the rhododendrons werespectacular. Butchart Gardens is a must-see for anyone who enjoysbeautiful flowers.

 

Wecompleted a leisurely circuit of the gardens in about an hour. Thecrowds were starting to build up, but we decided to walk the circuitagain to take some of the side paths. Our original plan had been tospend about 2-1/2 hours (a minimum of 1-1/2 hours is recommended) inthe gardens and return to the ship via bus #75 bus with a transfer tobus #31 (which stops right at the entrance to the port). However,after 2 hours we felt that we had seen enough of the gardens andleaving earlier would give us some time to visit the Inner Harbourarea. Once we were back downtown, we took a few photos before headingback to the ship along the waterfront, where we saw a sea lionswimming in the harbor. Back at the port, we walked out on the OgdenPoint Breakwater for a good view of the Grand Princess and spottedanother sea lion swimming near the rocks.

Local transit is the cheapest. Here is the link. https://bctransit.com/victoria/home

 

Taxi would be very expensive as it is at least a half hour drive away.

 

Thank you so very much for this link. I bookmarked it. Love the trip planner part.

 

It looks like there are several times on the 75 bus to get to and from Butchart Gardens and the waterfront. And only takes one hour to get there. Sweet.

 

And a day pass is only $5.

 

We are visiting in the spring and I think you just saved us a ton of money.

By City Bus/Public Transportation

 

The #75 bus will take you to the Butchart Gardens. This is definitely the cheapest and the most time`` consuming way to get to the gardens. If you're looking for adventure or a unique experience, this might be the choice for you. At times during the day, the #75 departs from a number of stops along Douglas Street downtown. Otherwise, the #75 departs from the Royal Oak Exchange. To get to The Gardens from downtown when the #75 is not direct, hop on the #30 or #31 bus - these routes end at the Royal Oak Exchange. Let the driver know that you are going to Butchart Gardens, and they will direct you to the stop for bus #75. The cost is $2.50 each way. The BC Transit website has schedule information . Extra express busses are on hand after Saturday fireworks that will whisk you to downtown Victoria. Be sure and get a schedule from the Tourist Information Cenre across from the Empress. The bus takes about 60 minutes.

Also see https://bctransit.com/victoria/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=75