How to Get from Victoria BC to Butchart Gardens

By The BestFlightHotelDeals editors · Published 2026-09-26 · 5 sources

The Butchart Gardens sits in Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula, roughly 21 to 22 kilometres north of downtown Victoria. Travelers can reach the property by taking public bus line 75, boarding a commercial sightseeing shuttle, driving north on Highway 17, or booking a taxi or rideshare. Journey times range from roughly 25 to 45 minutes by car or cab to approximately 50 to 75 minutes on public transit.

How far is Butchart Gardens from Victoria?

The historic floral grounds of The Butchart Gardens sit in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island, about 21 to 22 kilometres (13.5 miles) north of downtown Victoria. For visitors departing from the outer harbour or the cruise docks, the road distance is approximately 25 kilometres.

How to take the public bus from downtown Victoria

Public transit is the most affordable method for traveling north from the city centre, as noted by Victoria travel guides. Riders can board the #75 Saanichton Exchange bus operated by BC Transit. The primary downtown boarding location is the Legislature Terminal on Belleville Street near Government Street, right beside the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The bus also collects passengers at designated stops along Douglas Street as it proceeds through the city.

Transit trips generally take 50 minutes to one hour, though congested roads can occasionally lengthen the ride up to 75 minutes. Single bus fares have typically started around C$3 per passenger, while a full day pass has commonly run around C$6. Drivers accept Canadian and American currency in both coins and paper bills, but passengers must provide exact fare because drivers carry no change and offer no currency exchange. Riders can verify real-time bus locations through the BC Transit mobile application or by calling 250-382-6161.

According to official transportation guidance, not every #75 departure during the afternoon commute enters the attraction grounds. Travelers boarding during late-afternoon commute periods should check the exterior destination sign or ask the operator directly to confirm that the bus drives all the way to the garden gates.

Driving directions from downtown Victoria to the gardens

Navigating by personal vehicle or rental car takes between 35 and 45 minutes under regular traffic conditions. Drivers begin in downtown Victoria by traveling north on Blanshard Street. Keep the vehicle in the centre lane, where Blanshard Street feeds directly into northbound Highway 17, locally known as the Pat Bay Highway.

Proceed north along Highway 17 until reaching the traffic signal at Elk Lake and Sayward Road. After passing this intersection, merge into the right lane to prepare for the Keating Cross Road exit. Turn onto Keating Cross Road and follow it westward as it transitions into Benvenuto Avenue, which leads directly to the attraction gates.

Express shuttle and sightseeing bus options

Visitors who prefer direct transportation without driving can book round-trip shuttle transportation. CVS Shuttle and Sightseeing Victoria provide daily departures from downtown Victoria. Shuttles depart from the street in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel at the intersection of Humboldt Street and Government Street.

Because shuttle capacity fills quickly during the May to September peak season, booking at least one week in advance is advisable. Travelers can arrange bookings online or contact the service by telephone at 250-386-8652 or toll-free at 1-877-578-5552.

Taxi and rideshare services to Brentwood Bay

Hailing a cab or requesting a rideshare provides direct point-to-point transit in roughly 25 to 35 minutes. Standard metered cab fares from the city centre have often hovered around C$55 CAD one way, and regular passenger cabs accommodate up to four individuals.

Several licensed taxi companies serve the downtown area, including Yellow Cab at 1-800-808-6881, Blue Bird Cabs at 1-800-665-7055, and Victoria Taxi at 1-888-842-7111. Groups requiring larger capacity vehicles can arrange transportation through Regent Limo. The Uber app is also accessible throughout Greater Victoria for direct drop-offs and pickups outside the main gates.

How to reach Butchart Gardens from Victoria Cruise Terminal

Cruise passengers arriving at the Victoria Cruise Port are approximately 25 kilometres from Brentwood Bay, which represents a 45-minute drive in a cab or rideshare vehicle.

Taking public transit from the cruise docks requires transfers and takes approximately 1.5 hours in each direction. Disembarking passengers must first walk 300 metres from the terminal gates to the southwest corner of Dallas Road and Niagara Street. From that stop, board either the #2 South Oak Bay bus toward Oak Bay Village or the #5 Willows-Oak Bay Village bus.

Ride for 16 stops and disembark at Douglas Street and Humboldt Street. At that same intersection, transfer to the #75 Saanichton Exchange bus and ride it to the Benvenuto Avenue and Tod Inlet stop outside the gardens. Because the two-way transit trip can total three hours, cruise travelers on brief port calls should weigh transit durations carefully.

Getting to the gardens from Swartz Bay and Victoria Airport

Visitors heading to the property from northern entry points on the Saanich Peninsula have shorter travel distances. The gardens are roughly 13 kilometres (8 miles) from Victoria International Airport. Arriving air passengers can reach the site by municipal bus, car rental, taxi, or Uber. Travelers arranging flights or parking can consult Victoria Airport Parking Fees, Lot Rules, and Rates and verify operational times at Victoria Airport Opening Hours and Operating Schedule. For travelers connecting from Washington State across the water, including connections between Seattle and Victoria across approximately 100 kilometres of water or airspace, flight and ferry options are detailed under Flights from Victoria BC to Seattle: Routes and Fares.

For those coming from the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay, the gardens lie approximately 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) south. Driving from Swartz Bay involves traveling south along Highway 17, taking the right exit at the McTavish Interchange onto McTavish Road, turning left onto West Saanich Road (Highway 17A), and continuing for 10 to 15 minutes before turning right onto Benvenuto Avenue. BC Transit bus #81 departs directly outside the foot passenger building to match odd-hour ferry arrivals from Tsawwassen, taking roughly 55 minutes to reach the grounds. Alternatively, passengers can take bus #72 from the terminal to the Saanichton Exchange and transfer onto bus #75. Taxis and Uber vehicles also operate outside the ferry terminal.

Summary of transportation options from Victoria