Celebrity Solstice Butchart Gardens transportation

We will be on the Alaska cruise departing July 28. One of the members in our group was just diagnosed with a medical issue with h hip. Due to the situation, she would like to know if there is a cab or uber available in Victoria to take to Butchart Gardens. I am guessing that she would like to avoid a "group" tour.

I would also consider a Private driver / tour.

Additional information for handicapped access, scooter availability at the gardens would be appreciated.

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The Gardens are not close to the port so a cab ride would be pretty pricey but you could d that. Not sure about Uber. I would recommend checking their website regarding handicapped options given your time is so short.

We visited Vancouver Island before our cruise last year. My sister was waiting for a hip replacement so we hired a wheelchair at Butchart Gardens and I pushed her around more or less the whole gardens. Access was fine and wheelchairs readily available for simply a returnable deposit. Quite good exercise for me before the cruise!!!

It is quite a distance from the port though so not sure about transport there.

We do not yet have Uber in BC and that includes Victoria. Sorry.

From Butchart Gardens website:

Wheelchairs are free of charge with $10 refundable deposit. They are available on a first-come basis (no reservations.) Escorts/assistants are not available to push wheelchairs.

Only motorized or standard wheelchairs/personal mobility scooters and walkers are permitted. Due to the design and layout of the gardens, we are unable to accommodate Segways.

Scooters may be rented with advance notice from Motion Specialties in Sidney or Victoria

The Celeb tour we took was on a very comfy AC bus...nice bus tour on the way., i think one stop if you wanted to get out for a photo

. Overall it was mostly bus transp....with lots of free unrestricted time at the gardens.,.traffic coming back was insane...glad we were on a Celeb tour because they held the ship,,.

Due to the situation, she would like to know if there is a cab or uber available in Victoria to take to Butchart Gardens. I am guessing that she would like to avoid a "group" tour.

You already got the wheelchair info at the gardens so I won't repeat. A cab is cheaper than a ship tour as well as more flexible. While metered, budget CAD$60 each way. Garden entry is going to be at the high season rate of ~CAD$35 incl tax per person.

Considering ship tours are priced in USD, it's almost always cheaper to take a cab and pay your own way if you're a couple or more. Compared to independent bus tours the value isn't quite as obvious - but if you have 4-5 in a cab it's likely going to be cheaper than the approx $65pp that CVS charges for their shuttle buses and garden tickets.

There are plenty of cabs waiting, and you can book one for the return trip (or better, call when you're almost done so you have a firmer idea on the time.

NB: this assumes that a) your ship is in port during the day and b) that you have long enough to risk a private tour! If it's a token 4-6hr PVSA-compliance stop in the evening then the ONLY safe way to go is booking the overpriced ship tour, end of story. Too many risks due to bottlenecks for traffic at Butchart, minimal other route availability etc. to risk going it independent. A flat tire or even too big a traffic jam (if it's a Saturday with fireworks on the car park is a nightmare and the single lane entry/exit road moves at a crawl) and you could miss the ship!

I lived on the Island for 5 years. The Gardens are a distance from the cruise dock. I agree with the comments about cabs. Butchart gardens has a lovely full service restaurant with very nice English style teas, a cafeteria restaurant and a lovely gift shop.

I very much enjoy going myself. The gardens are a former quarry in a more rural area. Get a bunch together and take a cab. Have a grand time. I go when I get to Victoria. Enjoy!

Thank you all for the tips and advice. It was very helpful.

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What I have done is rent a car. I spend $10 on the shuttle for myself that takes me downtown and pick up the car. Drive back to the cruise ship and pick up family. Butchart Gardens is a must see.