Vancouver to Butchart Gardens

[LoveLhasa15]

We are planning to stay in downtown Vancouver in September for two days. We have another couple joining us and we would all like to do our own trek to Butchart Gardens. I find the directions confusing to do this on our own. Would someone be kind enough to give us step by step directions. I am confused by the bus schedules getting to the Ferry going to Victoria. We are trying to go at the least expensive way as we will be returning from an Alaska land/sea cruise and will have exhausted most of our funds on this trip. I usually do all the pre-planning for our additional excursions, but this one has me going loopy. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me.

[martincath]

We are planning to stay in downtown Vancouver in September for two days. We have another couple joining us and we would all like to do our own trek to Butchart Gardens. I find the directions confusing to do this on our own. Would someone be kind enough to give us step by step directions. I am confused by the bus schedules getting to the Ferry going to Victoria. We are trying to go at the least expensive way as we will be returning from an Alaska land/sea cruise and will have exhausted most of our funds on this trip. I usually do all the pre-planning for our additional excursions, but this one has me going loopy. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me.

 

Instructions follow in case this is a 'bucket list/place you've dreamed about since you were a wee tiny bairn' situation - but I would be remiss not to point out that you're not just spending money on this side-trip which you specifically mention is tight on your trip - but also time. You're losing basically an entire day from other activities just to go see Butchart. Not that the ferry trip isn't beautiful - you might see some Orcas, you'll definitely see lots of pretty islands - but having just come off 7 days cruising Alaska you may not appreciate it quite as much...

 

There are some fantastic gardens around Vancouver that are easily, quickly and cheaply accessed - while none of them individually has quite the variety of styles that Butchart offers, you can visit Queen Elizabeth Park, with quarry gardens like at Butchart, an Arboretum, Van Dusen Botanic Gardens, Bloedel Conservatory all within a couple of blocks of each other. Then there's the extensive grounds of UBC, the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese garden, the Rose & Rhododendron Gardens in Stanley Park... in short, you don't need to go to Butchart to see some dang fine gardens. Personally I'd pick up a day transit pass ($9.75) and zip around town rather than go to Butchart on a day trip.

 

Editorial over - on to the route! Rather than point you to timetables for buses, here's the Google link to the transit route on Saturday August 30th (I assume you're arriving on the Milly Friday Sep 12th, so will want to visit Butchart Saturday so you don't have the hassle of dealing with luggage? Right now the transit schedule doesn't run beyond the end of August on Google but save the link and check in a couple of weeks when you can use your exact date). I've used the City Centre Skytrain station as the start point - change that to your hotel in case you're staying somewhere that isn't a convenient walk from the Skytrain.

 

The ferry itself is hopefully straightforward enough - get off the bus, go inside the building, buy tickets, get on next vessel. There's a 9am departure daily (7am too, if you're *very* early risers!) which I would strongly recommend you be on rather than a later ferry.

 

At the other side, you can continue using public transit and take the bus (the 81 meets odd-hour ferry arrivals and goes to Butchart without any transfers required - you should be on the 11am number 81, arriving at the gardens a little before Noon).

 

Spend 4 hours at Butchart lunching and walking around, then reverse the above: get the 3:50pm 81 bus to the 5:00pm ferry, then ride the 7:00pm 620/Skytrain combo back into Vancouver.

 

The bus services link quite nicely with the ferries, so you don't waste too much time waiting around - but it's still an almost 13 hour day in order to spend four hours at Butchart.

 

Cost? $2.75pp each leg on Vancouver transit; $2.50pp each leg on the island; $16.25+Fuel surcharge (curr. 3.4%)pp for the ferry; Butchart rates are seasonal - $30.80pp in September. With four of you, a single pack of Faresavers would save a few cents even if you don't use the other 2 tickets on the Vancouver transit end of things (and also mean no worries about exact change in $CAN...)

 

You won't save any time taking a tour (e.g. with Land/Sea) - and it'll cost almost $200pp. That does include some sightseeing, time in Victoria as well as Butchart, all fees & taxes - but not a gratuity.

 

Pacific Coach are perhaps more convenient for Victoria than transit (door to door service, sort-of) but still stuck with the same ferry schedules and don't go straight to Butchart, so will take even longer (and cost more).

 

Without throwing big bucks at the problem (a floatplane charter can land right at the Butchart gardens dock!) it's pretty much impossible to get there and back significantly quicker than the transit method.

Edited July 26, 2014 by martincath

[whimsy7]

just a short note to add to the great detailed reply from martincath.

we spent 13+ hours getting from Vancouver to visit Butchart Gardens. we went by public transport as described by martincath.

the gardens are lovely but, in hindsight, we would not have spent 7 hours on transport to see a garden for 3 hours.

we were told (after the trip!) that the van dusen gardens and queen elizabeth park in vancouver would have been nice to visit too.

if you decide to go, plan on a long day.

[LoveLhasa15]

Thank you both martincath and whimsy7 for the information you provided. We may have to rethink the Butchart Gardens and save it for another trip. Martincath, your detailed instructions are great! Looking forward to spending time in Vancouver, but need to plan a separate trip to spend more time there!!

[em-sk]

I agree there getting over to Butchart Gardens is a long trip relative to the length of time your are going to spend at the Gardens. If you did want to make it over I would book the bus service from Downtown Vancouver to the ferry terminal. Walk off the ship and pre-arrange a rental car at the other end.

[BCHappyGal]

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

11) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

12) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

13) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

14) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

15) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

16) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

17) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

18) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

19) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

20) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out http://www.offtheeatentrack.com this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[donaldsc]

Try typing "Buchart Gardens" into Google and then going to the "Visit" tab.

 

DON

[LoveLhasa15]

Thank you BCHappyGal for taking time to send me detailed tourist information. So many places to see, so little time. We visited Vancouver previously, but only had a day, so we weren't able to see much. We'll have two days this time around, but still not enough time to "do it all". Just means we'll have to make a future trip to spend more time in Vancouver. We love your city.

[scottbee]

Without throwing big bucks at the problem (a floatplane charter can land right at the Butchart gardens dock!) it's pretty much impossible to get there and back significantly quicker than the transit method.

 

This is an important thing to reiterate for visitors to Vancouver Island from the mainland. Having a car won't speed things up, as you still end up waiting for the same ferry; and while tour bus trips do package it all together, the pricing is 2-3x what it would cost you to do it yourself.

[cdngrl]

This is an important thing to reiterate for visitors to Vancouver Island from the mainland. Having a car won't speed things up, as you still end up waiting for the same ferry; and while tour bus trips do package it all together, the pricing is 2-3x what it would cost you to do it yourself.

 

I take the bus if I can when I go to vancouver and back. to drive, its $53.25 for a vehicle--one way! plus $16.25 for each person.