The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay is about 22 km from Victoria, a 35 to 45 minute drive. Admission changes by month: adults pay $36.75 in October 2026 and $28.60 in November, in Canadian dollars including tax. The gardens say a leisurely walk takes 1.5 to 2 hours and that mornings before 10:30 am and after 3:30 pm are quieter. BC Transit route 75 takes 50 minutes to 1 hour from downtown.
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The Butchart Gardens: visit card
Brentwood Bay · Outdoors
- Address
- Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC (the official pages checked give the location as Brentwood Bay and no street number). Open in OpenStreetMap
- Hours
- October 1–31, 2026: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, every day
- November 1–30, 2026: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, every day
- December 1–24, 2026: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm, every day
- December 25, 2026: Closed
- December 26, 2026 – January 6, 2027: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm, every day
- January 7–17, 2027: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, every day
- January 18–31, 2027: Closed for staff holiday
- February 1–28, 2027: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, every day
- March 1–31, 2027: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, every day
- April 1–30, 2027: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, every day
- May 1–31, 2027: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, every day
- Prices
- Rates are in Canadian dollars and include tax, per person. The official page also lists prices for other months; its layout for December 1–24, January 7–17, February and March is ambiguous, so those are not reproduced here. There are no seniors or student discounts. Active Canadian Armed Forces members are admitted free and veterans pay half; see the official page for conditions. Currency: Canadian dollars are assumed where the page does not say.
Admission prices Period Price October 2026 Adult $36.75 · Youth $18.38 · Child $3.00 November 2026 Adult $28.60 · Youth $14.30 · Child $3.00 December 26, 2026 – January 6, 2027 Adult $41.00 · Youth $20.50 · Child $5.00 April 2027 Adult $42.25 · Youth $21.13 · Child $3.00 May 2027 Adult $45.60 · Youth $22.80 · Child $5.00 12 Month Pass Adult $88.50 · Youth $44.25 · Child $7.35
Including tax; the page does not repeat the currency for passes. - Time to allow
- A leisurely walk through the gardens typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with extra time for shopping or dining. Source
- Accessibility
- Partly wheelchair accessible (per the official site).
- A wheelchair-accessible route is marked on the visitor maps. The Dining Room, Coffee Shop, Blue Poppy Restaurant, Seed & Gift Store and Rose Carousel are wheelchair accessible.
- The two locations that are not wheelchair or scooter accessible are The Mound and The Wharf.
- Some paths are narrow or steep because the gardens are built around an old limestone quarry; alternate routes are signposted.
- Complimentary push wheelchairs and strollers are available with a refundable deposit, first come first served. There are no mobility scooters to rent on site.
- Accessible parking is available; all parking is free. All washrooms have a large stall for wheelchair access.
- Visitors with a CNIB card are admitted free; a support person for a Leisure Assistance Pass or Access 2 Entertainment card holder is admitted free.
- Getting there
- About 22 km (13.5 miles) from Victoria; a 35 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic, via Blanshard Street and Highway 17 north, exit at Keating Cross Road.
- BC Transit route 75 leaves from Belleville Street at Government Street beside the Fairmont Empress and generally takes 50 minutes to 1 hour. Not all route 75 trips during the afternoon commute go into the gardens. A $6 DayPASS or $3 per ride is paid to the driver.
- CVS Shuttle / Sightseeing Victoria departs in front of the Empress Hotel; reservations are not required and tours operate daily.
- A taxi from downtown is approximately $55 CAD; Uber is available.
- From the Ogden Point cruise terminal: a taxi is approximately $60–$65 CAD. The terminal is about a 20 minute walk from downtown Victoria, and a shuttle to downtown is $10 US one way or $13 US for unlimited use for the day.
- Best time of day or year
- Quieter between 9:00 am and 10:30 am and after 3:30 pm. Full summer display from July through the end of September; spring blooms usually peak from mid-April to early May and autumn colour from mid-October to early November, depending on weather.
- Family features listed
- A Rose Carousel, a children’s afternoon tea (ages 12 and under) and free stroller loan with a refundable deposit.
Check tickets and book with Butchart Gardens Official website
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Map data generated from the Protomaps basemap build 20261017.
Combine with
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens2.2 km straight line
- Mount Work Regional Park3.6 km straight line
- Island View Beach Regional Park7.3 km straight line
Admission changes by month
The gardens publish hours and admission for each month, and the price swings a lot: the official page lists $36.75 for adults in October 2026, $28.60 in November, $41.00 from December 26 to January 6 and $45.60 in May 2027. The visit card above lists the months whose prices are unambiguous on the official page. Hours also change: from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in October to 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm in December. The gardens remain open for viewing for one hour after the gates close.
The gardens do not offer seniors or student discounts. Active Canadian Armed Forces members are admitted free and veterans pay half, with conditions on the official page.
Getting there from Victoria
The official guide describes four ways: drive about 22 km north (35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic), take BC Transit route 75, take a sightseeing shuttle from in front of the Empress, or take a taxi or Uber. Route 75 is the cheapest option, but the gardens warn that not every afternoon trip goes into the gardens, so check the timetable for your trip home. A taxi to the gardens is about $55 CAD each way.
From a cruise ship
If your ship docks at Ogden Point, the gardens’ guide gives a taxi fare of about $60–$65 CAD each way and notes the terminal is about a 20 minute walk from downtown. Add the 35 to 45 minute drive each way and the 1.5 to 2 hours the gardens suggest, and compare that with your all-aboard time. A full cruise-day planner arrives in a later phase.
Tea and dining
Admission is required to eat at the Dining Room. It serves afternoon tea; see the afternoon tea comparison for the current menu price. Outside food is allowed, but barbecues are not.
Combine with
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is about 5 minutes away by taxi according to its own site. For other places to pair with a garden day, see the day trips from Victoria or all the things to do.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Butchart Gardens tickets?
Admission depends on the month. The gardens list adults at $36.75 for October 1–31, 2026 and $28.60 for November 1–30, 2026, with youth (13–17) at about half and children (5–12) at $3.00 in both months. Rates are in Canadian dollars and include tax. Online tickets do not expire and can be used on a future visit.
How long should I allow at Butchart Gardens?
The gardens say a leisurely walk typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with extra time for shopping or dining. Admission to the gardens is also required to eat at any of the on-site restaurants.
When is the best time to visit Butchart Gardens?
The gardens say it is generally quieter between 9:00 and 10:30 am and after 3:30 pm. They list a full summer display from July to the end of September, spring blooms usually best from mid-April to early May, and autumn colour peaking from mid-October to early November, depending on weather.
How do I get to Butchart Gardens from Victoria without a car?
BC Transit route 75 leaves from Belleville Street at Government Street beside the Fairmont Empress and generally takes 50 minutes to 1 hour; the fare is $3 per ride or a $6 DayPASS. The gardens warn that not all route 75 trips during the afternoon commute go in. A shuttle departs in front of the Empress, and a taxi from downtown is approximately $55 CAD.
Can I visit Butchart Gardens from a cruise ship?
Yes. The gardens’ guide for Ogden Point passengers says a taxi is approximately $60–$65 CAD and the terminal is about a 20 minute walk from downtown Victoria. A shuttle to downtown costs $10 US one way or $13 US for unlimited use for the day. In May, some cruise-ship excursions visit outside regular hours.
Is Butchart Gardens wheelchair accessible?
Mostly. A wheelchair-accessible route is marked on the visitor maps and complimentary push wheelchairs are available with a refundable deposit. The Mound and The Wharf are not wheelchair or scooter accessible, and some paths are narrow or steep because the gardens are built around a limestone quarry.
More in Things to do
- Things to do in Victoria BCHub
- Craigdarroch CastleGuide
- Whale watchingGuide
- Royal BC MuseumGuide
- Afternoon teaGuide
- Day trips from VictoriaGuide