Budget-Friendly Day Trip: Charming Victoria!

Experience the beauty of Victoria without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Victoria, Canada is a great destination for travelers on a limited budget. With affordable accommodation options, such as hostels and budget hotels, you can stay close to popular attractions like the Royal British Columbia Museum or Butchart Gardens. For a cheap but delicious meal, head to the Victoria Public Market or Food Trucks of Victoria for local, fresh food.

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Day trip plan

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Day

Charming Victoria, on a budget!

  • Start your day off with a walk around the picturesque Inner Harbour, admiring the colorful boats and historic buildings.
  • Visit the Royal BC Museum to learn about the fascinating history of British Columbia. Entrance fee is around $20, but worth it!
  • Stop for a lunch break at Red Fish Blue Fish, a popular seafood spot serving delicious and affordable fish tacos and chowder.
  • Take a free guided tour of the BC Legislature Building, one of Victoria's most iconic landmarks.
  • Hop on a local bus (fare is $2.50) and head to Beacon Hill Park for a stroll through beautiful gardens, ponds, and even a petting zoo.
  • End the day with a walk along Dallas Road, where you can enjoy stunning ocean views and watch the sunset.
  • Bonus tip: If you're into beer, make sure to stop by Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. for a brewery tour and some samples!

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Victoria by plane is to fly into Victoria International Airport (YYJ) from major airports in Canada or the United States. Direct flights are available from cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle, and San Francisco.

Car

If you prefer to drive, you can take the ferry to Vancouver Island, then drive to Victoria. The ferry ride is about 1.5 hours from Vancouver to Swartz Bay, and then it takes about 30 minutes to drive from Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria. Alternatively, you can also drive from Seattle to Victoria, which takes about 3-4 hours.

Train

There is no direct train to Victoria, but you can take a train from Vancouver to Swartz Bay, which is a ferry terminal that connects to Victoria. The train ride from Vancouver to Swartz Bay takes about 3 hours, and then you can take a 35-minute ferry ride to Victoria.

Boat

One of the most scenic ways to get to Victoria is by taking a boat from Seattle or Vancouver. You can take the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria, which is a high-speed catamaran that takes about 2.5 hours. You can also take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, which is a scenic 1.5-hour ride through the Strait of Georgia.

Bus

Taking a bus to Victoria is convenient and affordable. The best option is to take a coach bus from Vancouver or Seattle to Victoria. The bus ride from Vancouver to Victoria takes about 4-5 hours, while Seattle to Victoria takes longer at around 6-7 hours. You can take the bus from Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, or from downtown Seattle.

Destination

Victoria

Nestled cozily on an island, Victoria boasts an impressive number of gardens, tea shops, and tourists taking awkward selfies with Butchart Gardens as their backdrop. But don't worry, the city is also home to some less-touristy spots - like the resident sea otters who just can't seem to stop holding hands.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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