In August, we are taking the Clipper ferry from Seattle to Victoria. Clipper Vacations has a R/T ferry and 3 nights hotel deal that looks attractive, compared to pricing individually. I'm curious whether I should book additional tours through them (Butchart Gardens, Afternoon Tea at the Empress, city but tour, etc) or wait until we arrive? I'm thinking that we'd rather not be tied to a certain day and be at the mercy of the weather, etc. Also, It seems that there are many spur of the moment tours that will be available for the same destinations and similar prices. Are we right in holding off booking additional tours at this time?

I highly recommend you do your own thing. City tours are always available outside the Empress. You can take a shuttle from the bus terminal to the Butchart for $43 return including the entrance fee so compare that to what they charge. Also you can do it on your own that way the shuttle leaves every 45 minutes. You should also see the Royal BC Museum - world class and a definite must. Just play it by ear. It its raining its a good day for the museum etc.

Thanks, '69. And I just found your post from May '06 regarding Gray Lines' desk behind the Empress for Butchart shuttles. Do you know if this information is still valid?

Hi knudsen - I don't know what I quoted as the price at that time but I checked with them two weeks ago and they are still running. The current price is $43 return which includes the admission. The first bus is at 9AM and they do run every 45 minutes. On the return they have a bus at around 6:30ish and then not one until 10:20 I believe for those who want to spend the evening. It is operated by Gray Line West. I don't think they advertise that as I am sure they want people to take their tours.

Thanks for the legwork, '69. I am just now doing a little Google Street View touring of Victoria, walking around the huge block that the Empress sits on... Is the Gray Line West office in that building on the corner of Belleville and Douglas, across from Thunderbird Park? The signage on the building says 'Island Coach Lines' and 'Pacific Coach Lines' and there's a bus parking lot. Although: around the block on Humboldt St just east of Government St sits a bus labeled 'Gray Line West' and the street sign says 'City Licensed Tour Bus Loading.'

The tickets for the shuttle are sold inside that building. There is a wicket and a schedule posted there. The regular Butchart tours load up in front of the Empress and the city tours pick up at the wax museum. Unless something has changed that is how they did operate it. Just go inside and ask someone in there to be sure. Be careful if you ask the person on Government street who sells the Butchart tours that they don't put you on a tour bus. I will phone tomorrow and ask if it is still the same procedure and post again.

Doing your own thing for Butchart Gardens is fine- just know the last bus schedule before departure date. We casually took our time and missed the last tour bus. But it worked out great- we ended up renting a car to go out to Butchart Gardens; plus we were able to see other things we wouldn't have seen on the bus. And it really didn't cost that much more in the end.

socal - what we are referring to is the shuttle bus that runs on a regular schedule - last one being 10:20pm. so if you ever come back and want to do the gardens again it is good to know. They don't advertise because they want you to buy the tour.

Thanks traveller69! It hasn't even been a year yet and the 'details' got crossed. Tickets behind the "Empress' is what was sticking. There is no IF, it's a matter of WHEN, for a return to Victoria. We fell in love with Vancouver Island. That speaks volumes. So many places to see and not enough time or money.

HI socal - We spend our winters in Arizona (spent 9 winters in North San Diego County - loved that too) but we are always happy to get back to Victoria. When we travel - anywhere it seems we meet more people who know and love Victoria!! But I love California too!!

I just checked with Gray Line and the shuttle to Butchart does leave from the terminal building (the one you see on Google that says Pacific Coach) and the tickets are purchased inside as I mentioned. They just said it is first come first served so you should be there 15 minutes ahead to get the tickets.

'69, you're a gem. But... and sorry for my USA-born language ignorance: a "wicket"?? I only know that as a cricket term.

Ok so thats what happens when your mother was British!!! It means a small door, or window that has bars on it. I guess there is just glass now but in the old days the banks etc had them - like a teller's cage. Its funny how words stay with you. When we are in the States we are very careful not to call the shopping cart a "buggy" the term we use for a cart here in Canada (well most Canadians anyway do)