Victoria ranks as one of my favourite cruise port cities of all time. If you are wondering what to do in Victoria, you’ve come to the right spot. This quick guide will help you navigate the best things that Victoria has to offer in a short amount of time. The highlight of your Alaskan Cruise may very well be the Cruise Port in Victoria British Columbia.
- Is Victoria the same as Vancouver Island?
- Where do cruise ships dock in Victoria BC?
- Do I need a passport?
- How safe is Victoria, BC?
- What is the currency in Victoria?
- What is the best thing to do in Victoria?
- What are things to do in Victoria BC on a budget?
- What is an affordable Victoria Canada itinerary?
Is Victoria the same as Vancouver Island?
No, Victoria is not the same as Vancouver Island. Victoria is a city located on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia in the country of Canada.
The city of Victoria, BC (population 400,000) should not be mistaken for the bustling city of Vancouver, BC (population 730,000) which is located on the mainland.
Where do Victoria BC cruise ships dock?
Cruise ships dock at the Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal in Victoria, BC. The Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal is located 1.49 miles (or 2.4 km) from the Inner Harbour and is walking distance to many attractions in Victoria.
Do I need passport for an Alaskan Cruise stops in Victoria?
Travel requirements depend on your country of origin and your cruise line. To avoid disappointments when travelling to your cruise port in Victoria British Columbia due to changing regulations, bring your Passport.
Passport Requirement – US Citizens
If your cruise is departing from a port city located in Canada (i.e. Vancouver or Victoria) and you plan to arrive to your port city by air, you will require a Passport. All airline travel with destinations outside the United States requires a valid Passport.
If your cruise departs from a port located within the United States (i.e. Seattle), a Passport is highly recommended but not necessarily required. If you do not have a Passport, you will require two pieces of ID, including Proof of Citizenship and a Government-Issued Photo ID. Photocopies or pictures of documents are not acceptable pieces of identification.
If there is ever an emergency in Canada that requires you to fly back to the United States, you will require a US Passport to travel by air to the United States.
Tip: Save yourself the hassle and just get a Passport.
Passport Requirements – Canadian Citizens
If you are travelling by air to the United States to catch your cruise (i.e. Seattle), you will require a Passport. All foreign air travel requires a valid Passport.
If you are catching a roundtrip cruise to Alaska from Victoria or Vancouver, the requirements for a Passport vary by cruise line:
On Norwegian Cruise Line, all non-US Citizens require a valid Passport.
On Princess Cruise Line, all non-US Citizens require a valid piece of Government-Issued ID. Always check the cruise website for most recent guidelines as they are subject to change.
When in doubt, travel with a Passport.
How safe is Victoria?
Victoria, BC is generally considered a safe city. Victoria is home to the country’s third-largest population of seniors over the age of 65. Nevertheless, always be vigilant and follow standard safety protocols when touring Victoria or any other city.
What is the currency in Victoria?
Canadian Dollars is the acceptable currency in Victoria, British Columbia. Most places in Canada also accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards. All transactions in Canada will be charged in Canadian Dollars.
If you have a US-based credit card, all transactions made in Canada will be automatically converted to US dollars on your credit card bill plus a foreign transaction fee. The foreign transaction fee can be up to 2.5% of your purchase, depending on your particular credit card.
What is Victoria’s top tourist attraction?
The top tourist attraction in Victoria, BC is Butchart Gardens (at least in my opinion).
Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about Butchart Gardens:
- What is Butchart Gardens?
- What is there to do at Butchart Gardens?
- How old are the Butchart Gardens?
- How to get to Butchart Gardens from the Cruise Terminal?
- How much is the Butchard Gardens Admission Fee?
- Is Butchart Gardens worth going to?
If you are on a budget, take a Self-Guided Tour of Victoria’s Key Attractions.
What is Butchart Gardens?
Butchart Gardens is a world-renowned botanical garden in Victoria, British Columbia. People come from around the world to enjoy the splendour of these beautiful gardens.
Butchart Gardens is like walking into a secret garden filled with beautiful flowers and shrubs. It’s a garden oasis for gardeners and wannabe-gardeners alike.
What to do at Butchart Gardens?
Butchart Gardens is divided into separate gardens and you are going to want to see them all. Be sure to pick up a complimentary map so that you don’t miss a thing.
In addition to the gardens, will find a large gift shop, a carousel ride (nominal fee), a few restaurants, a Gelato Ice Cream shop, various statues, as well as a concert lawn and stage area. Going to Butchart Gardens is like stepping into a garden fantasy world.
Be sure not to confuse Busch Gardens in Florida with Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Butchard Gardens is not an amusement park.
What is the history of Butchard Gardens?
The Butchart Gardens began as a passion project by Jennie Butchart back in 1912. Jennie’s husband, Robert, owned a concrete business and expanded his business by quarrying limestone on their multi-acre property. When the quarry ran out of limestone, Jennie took her passion for art and colour and began the land transformation.
Before:
After:
The gardens are now a National Historic Site of Canada and meticulously maintained by a staff of horticulturists.
Lights illuminate Butchart Gardens at night from June 1st until September 15th, extending the viewing hours of the gardens until 10pm Wednesday through Saturday. Although the beauty of these gardens is best enjoyed during daylight hours, the twinkling lights transform the gardens into a magical wonderland past sunset.
During the months of July and August, your entrance ticket includes live evening entertainment on the outdoor stage (Wednesday through Saturday only) as well as a firework show choreographed to music every Saturday night.
How to get to Butchart Gardens from Cruise Port?
Butchart Gardens is located approximately 14 miles from the cruise terminal. I researched all the ways to get to Butchart Gardens from the Cruise Terminal and here is the rundown:
- Public Transport takes 1.5 hours (one way). Although this is the least expensive option, I do not recommend.
- Shuttles to Butchart Gardens are available, but they do not operate directly from the cruise terminal. The shuttles operate only a couple of times per day and depart from the Empress Hotel. I do not recommend this option.
- Taxi fare from the cruise terminal is $60-$65 one way plus tip. This may be a viable option depending on how many people are in your party. This option does not include the admission fee to Butchart Gardens.
- Uber is available in Victoria, BC. It is difficult to predict whether “premium” rates (i.e. surge pricing) will apply when leaving the cruise terminal. This option does not include the admission fee to Butchart Gardens.
- Cruise Ship Excursion Bus Tour. You can typically pre-purchase this option as a “cruise excursion” with your cruise line. Be sure to inquire whether your excursion includes admission fee or transit only.
When doing my research, I found that purchasing the cruise’s shore excursion package to Butchart Gardens was the best option for our situation.
How much is the Butchart Gardens Admission Fee?
Yes, there is an entrance fee to Butchart Gardens. Fees vary on the season. The summer entrance fees (June 1st to September 30th) are:
- Adult (18+): $41.50
- Youth (13-17): $20.50
- Child (5-12): $5.00
- Infant (under 5): Free
There are no discounts for seniors. Entrance fees in the Spring, Fall, and Winter are lower than the peak summer season.
Although there is an entry fee to access Butchart Gardens, tours of the gardens are self-guided and you are free to spend as much time in each of the gardens as you wish. Your entry pass is valid all day and grants in-and-out privileges.
Is Butchart Gardens worth it?
Yes!!! Going to Butchart Gardens is worth it if you appreciate the beauty of horticulture. There are five different gardens to tour: (1) Sunken Garden; (2) Rose Garden; (3) Japanese Garden; (4) Italian Garden; and (5) Mediterranean Garden. The Sunken Garden is my favourite. It is simply amazing. You have to see it in person to appreciate its grandeure.
With Victoria’s temperate climate, the Butchart Gardens are open year-round. There is something new to see in every season.
What are things to do in Victoria BC on a budget?
There are several cheap or free things when visiting the Cruise Port in Victoria British Columbia. Here are several inexpensive or free tourist attractions that are within walking distance to the Victoria BC cruise port:
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Water Taxi
- Parliament Buildings
- Empress Hotel
- Miniature World
- Emily Carr’s House
- Ocean Walk
- Dallas Road Staircase
- Breakaway Lighthouse
What is an affordable Victoria Canada Itinerary?
There are many free and inexpensive things to do in Victoria, BC. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the most of your time while visiting Victoria. This itinerary should be adjusted based on your party’s activity level, length of time in Victoria, and interests.
The starting point for this itinerary is at the Ogden Point Cruise Port in Victoria British Columbia.
Step 1: Walk to Fisherman’s Wharf
Walk the “Harbour Pathway” or Blue Line as shown in the map above from the cruise terminal to Fisherman’s Wharf. The distance is approximately 1/2 mile.
Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria is a unique “floating” pier with food kiosks, a couple of shops, and a few residential floating homes. The residential homes are not available for tour.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a small but popular tourist attraction in Victoria, British Columbia. This popular attraction closes at sunset.
Step 2: Take a Water Taxi to Inner Harbour
Once you have finished snapping a few photos of the floating homes, stores, and food kiosks at Fisherman’s Wharf, take a water taxi to the Inner Harbour. You can catch the water taxi at Fisherman’s Wharf.
One-Way fees for the Water Taxi vary with the season. During the peak season, fares are typically: C$15/adult and $7/child (age 12 and under). Check hours of operation to avoid disappointment.
Step 3: Stop for Tea at the Empress Hotel
Across the street from the Inner Harbour is the Empress Hotel. The Empress Hotel was built in 1908 and the intricate architectural details have been beautifully maintained over the years.
The grandiosity of the Empress Hotel almost makes you feel like you are on the cast of Downton Abbey. There are a couple of shops inside this hotel just past the ballroom and grand piano.
Step 4: Tour Miniature World
Connected to the Empress Hotel is Miniature World. Miniature World is home to over 85 dioramas and displays. This tourist attraction is especially popular with kids and the young at heart.
Step 5: Tour the Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings are located across the street from the Inner Harbour. You cannot miss them. At night, lights illuminate the Parliament Buildings.
Guided Tours of the Parliament Buildings are free!!! However, if you don’t want to wait around for a guided tour, you can opt to take a free self-guided tour instead.
Learn a bit about Canadian History, the Canadian Judicial System, and architecture while touring the Parliament Buildings in Victoria.
Step 6: Tour the Carr House National Historic Site
Emily Carr is celebrated as one of Canada’s most influential artists.
The Carr House National Historic Site, the place where Emily Carr grew up, is located at 207 Government Street and is less than a 10 minute walk from the Parliament Buildings.
The Carr House National Historic Site is open for self-guided tours. Check opening hours here. Although this home is free to tour, donations are gladly accepted.
Step 7: Head back to Cruise Port in Victoria British Columbia
From Emily Carr’s home, continue to walk south on Government Street until you reach Dallas Road. Walk northwest on the walking pathway alongside Dallas Road towards the cruise ship dock.
Walking from the Carr House National Historic Site to the cruise ship dock is approximately 1.25 miles (or 2 km). Follow the blue dotted route as outlined below:
Step 8: Ocean Walk
Between Holland Point Park and the Cruise Ship dock is a lovely ocean walk. Enjoy the view as you stroll along this pathway.
Step 9: Dallas Road Staircase
Access to the Dallas Road Staircase is located on the pathway alongside Dallas Road. The staircase provides access to a small, rocky beach.
Step 10: Breakwater Lighthouse
The Breakwater Lighthouse dates back to 1916 and is a place where you can hear (and sometimes feel) the ocean waves.
No matter what you decide to do, I hope you enjoy the Cruise Port in Victoria British Columbia as much as I do! Cruising to Alaska is not the same as cruising to the Caribbean or Mexico. Be sure to check out my guide on What to Pack on Your Cruise to Alaska.
And, before you go, tell someone you love a Silly Cruise Joke.
Until next time! Happy Cruising!
Shelley