Vancouver to Victoria Day trip - Tour or on our own?
 

We are 2 active seniors spending a few days in Vancouver late May before a cruise and would like to do a day trip to Victoria. Have looked at all the day tours and thought that might be the easiest route to go, but they only have up to 2 hours in Butchart Gardens. Already have our hotel on points in downtown Vancouver Residence Inn, and the ferry ride we know is about 90 minutes each way. Does anyone know how complicated it is to do the day on your own? Thanks, Mary Ann

Check out Wilson Transportation, and BC Ferries connector. Both arrange busses from downtown Vancouver, onto the ferry and to downtown Victoria. You may want to get off at the ferry terminal at Sydney on Vancouver Island which is closer to Butchart Gardens rather than go all the way into Victoria (about 30 minute drive) and then back again to Butchart.

Although the ferry is only around 90 minutes, downtown to downtown is more like 3 hours altogether. The prices are very close to a day tour, so it might be easier to do the tour. If staying overnight in Victoria is an option it would be well worth it. Victoria is very walkable with lots to see an do downtown after a trip to Butchart.

Thank you. We did book a tour, but then some friends mentioned it would be more economical and we could have more time in the gardens if we did it on our own. In retrospect, we probably should have planned to spend our first night in Victoria, but it seemed more of a hassle with luggage for the cruise and all to go over for one night then back to Vancouver for a couple nights. Thanks for taking the time to respond and I think we will just keep the tour.