Butchart Garden Tour

[darnoc23]

Hello, we're going to a Canada cruise and one of the ports is Victoria.  We're looking at the excursion for Butchart Garden tour but comparing to some of the tours in Expedia, it appears to be the same except a $40 difference per person.  Anyone book a tour to Butchart outside of the cruiseline?  Recommendations?  I know that the advantage of booking with the cruiseline guarantees they won't leave you, but it looks like the tours are only 3 hours in the morning so I think that should be good in the event of delays.  TIA. 

[rkacruiser]

18 hours ago, darnoc23 said:

Hello, we're going to a Canada cruise and one of the ports is Victoria.  We're looking at the excursion for Butchart Garden tour but comparing to some of the tours in Expedia, it appears to be the same except a $40 difference per person.  Anyone book a tour to Butchart outside of the cruiseline?  Recommendations?  I know that the advantage of booking with the cruiseline guarantees they won't leave you, but it looks like the tours are only 3 hours in the morning so I think that should be good in the event of delays.  TIA. 

 

Does the 3 hours include the time it takes to get to and from the pier?  If so, you are likely spending more time en route than actually at the Gardens.  The Gardens are some distance from the pier.  Factor traffic; I am not sure that such a short visit to the Gardens is worth it.  

[aml3679]

Not to be missed

[Scrufsmom]

Best tour ever.  IMO worth the money!

[Mary229]

I enjoyed the gardens but I was on independent travel.  I am in Vancouver today and have decided to instead visit the University’s two gardens and multiple museums tomorrow 

 

https://visit.ubc.ca/

[baldilocks]

Although we did the gardens back in 2006, it is probably a wonderful place to visit

[jrktms5]

Hello, I live in Victoria, and depending on you time, other things maybe better. One renting a peddle bike/E bike and travel around the city is outstanding or you can ride from Sydney BC to Sooke all on trails. and visit the Cider companies / breweries.

https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/find-park-trail/galloping-goose

Victoria is the largest cycling community in Canada

 

that's a good visit

[aml3679]

Absolutely beautiful 

[hancock]

We walked into town and took the local bus to the gardens.  Did the reverse back.

[cruiselvr04]

We were there on a land trip so it would depend on timing.  But we took a public bus there and back.  Saved us $120 over going with a tour and we were free to spend as much time there as we wanted.  Bus was $5 pp RT. 
 

And it’s lovely, I’m not even a garden person and I loved it.  

[electro]

On 8/25/2023 at 4:04 PM, cruiselvr04 said:

We were there on a land trip so it would depend on timing.  But we took a public bus there and back.  Saved us $120 over going with a tour and we were free to spend as much time there as we wanted.  Bus was $5 pp RT. 
 

And it’s lovely, I’m not even a garden person and I loved it.  

If you are active duty military in Canada, admission is free. If you are a Canadian veteran or active duty foreign military, admission is 50% off.