A one day trip to Victoria, B.C. from Vancouver is an idyllic getaway. Victoria sits on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, just an hour and a half from Vancouver by sea and 30 minutes by sky. As one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is steeped in heritage. With one day in Victoria, you can get a feel for the capital city and take in the natural serenity of this iconic Pacific Northwest destination.
How to Get to Victoria, B.C. from Vancouver
Vancouver Island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia. Whether traveling by sea or sky, your journey to Victoria from Vancouver will be a scenic one.
Traveling to Victoria By Sea
To make the most of your one day trip to Victoria, plan one leg of your round trip journey on Price of Whales Whale Watching. While most whale watching trips start and end at the same destination, Prince of Whales offers a 3-4 hour, one-way tour from Granville Island, Vancouver. Spend the morning whale watching and viewing the wildlife of British Columbia before being dropped at Inner Harbor.
BC Ferries offers routes between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay) hourly in peak season. The 1h 35m ferry is the most cost effective, and the best option for those traveling from Vancouver to Victoria with a car.
Traveling to Victoria By Sky
Pacific Coastal Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet all fly between Vancouver (YVR) and Victoria (YYJ). Although flight time is just under 30 minutes, make sure you also factor in the time it takes to get to and from the airport on each side.
For a more direct route to Victoria from Vancouver, book a seaplane with Harbour Air or helicopter with Helijet. Whether seaplane or helicopter, hop aboard in Vancouver Harbor and land 35 minutes later in Victoria Harbor. This door to door option is ideal for those traveling to Victoria for the day without a car.
What to Do During a One Day Trip to Victoria, B.C.
Walk Around Inner Harbor
Victoria’s Inner Harbor will likely be the gateway to your one day trip to Victoria from Vancouver. It’s a legendary welcome to the British Columbia capital city, as you’ll be met with the grandeur of the surrounding Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, and Parliament Building. Start your day in Victoria with a stroll around Inner Harbor. From Inner Harbor, much of Victoria can be explored on foot.
Stop for Tea at the Empress Hotel
The historic Empress Hotel is a grand, chateau-style lodge overlooking Inner Harbor. The building in itself is an icon of Victoria, reminiscent of a bygone era. Although a day trip won’t warrant overnight accommodations, it’s worth a stop by the Empress between 11 AM and 2 PM for afternoon tea.
Snap a Photo of Parliament Building at Night
As the capital city, Victoria is home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Parliament Building is a century old masterpiece that captures the blended history of land and people. The stately stone building is donned with turquoise domes, making it a standout over Inner Harbor.
As you head back to Inner Harbor after a perfect one day trip to Victoria, stop by Parliament Building to snap a photo of the iconic building dressed in lights. As impressive as the facade is in daylight, its grandeur is illuminated at night. The lighting started in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and has since become a mainstay. 3,600 individual bulbs trace the building outline, bringing a whimsical air to Inner Harbor each night.
Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum is nestled between the Empress and Parliament buildings. Spend an hour or two exploring rotating exhibitions and the mainstay archives of natural history and culture of the indigenous people. You can buy tickets online in advance or in person at the ticket counter.
Walk Government Street & Shop Lower Johnson
Government Street is a central nerve of Victoria’s tourist district. From Inner Harbor, follow Government Street north to explore the restaurants, shops, and markets that make up downtown Victoria. From Inner Harbor, walk 10 minutes down Government Street to hit Lower Johnson Street.
Simply referred to as Lower Johnson, or LoJo, this shopping strip runs perpendicular to Government Street. You’ll know you’re in the right place as you walk along rainbow-colored Victorian storefronts. Lower Johnson is a hub for thrift shops and eclectic boutiques. Be sure to stop by Market Square to refuel at one of the food outposts before browsing the many independent shops.
China Town & Fan Tan Alley
Continue on Government Street, just two blocks north of Lower Johnson, to explore Victoria’s Chinatown. Victoria is home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the second oldest in all of North America. The pinnacle of Victoria’s Chinatown is the infamous Fan Tan Alley, a narrow cut through that connects Fisgard Street to Pandora Avenue. At its smallest point, Fan Tan Alley spans only 3 feet wide, making it the most narrow commercial street in North America. Snap a picture and pop into one of the small shops and restaurants along the colorful alley.
Fisherman’s Wharf
One of the best ways to end a day in Victoria is at Fisherman’s Wharf. From Inner Harbor, Fisherman’s Wharf is a 15 minute walk west along Belleville Street. From Chinatown, the fastest – and most scenic – way to get to Fishermran’s Wharf is via Water Taxi. From 10 AM to 4 PM daily, scan the QR code located at the dock, or call the Victoria Harbor Ferry water taxi services at 250-514-9794, to request a pick up.
Fisherman’s Wharf is adorned with a vibrant array of funky houseboats, food stands and independent shops. Walk the wharf to marvel at the unique residences, and keep your eyes peeled for the seals who make frequent appearances. End your day in Victoria with a seafood dinner at Barb’s Fish & Chips. Barb’s is an island staple, serving locally caught halibut to tourists and locals for over 40 years. Stop by Jackson’s Ice Cream for a colorful scoop to go for the walk back to Inner Harbor.
If You Have More Than One Day in Victoria
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria’s most famous attractions. While there are plenty of other things to do during a one day trip to Victoria from Vancouver, I’d be remiss not to include this popular site that attracts over a million tourists a year. If you only have a day in Victoria, you may not be able to fit in both Butchart Gardens and all the other incredible things to do in Victoria. Butchart Gardens is a 30 minute drive from downtown Victoria, and typically requires 3-4 hours to see the best of the 55-acre garden.
Check online for what’s in bloom during your day in Victoria, and to plan your visit.
Map Out Your One Day Trip to Victoria, B.C.
Whether a one day trip to Victoria is your final stop on a one week Pacific Northwest itinerary, or you’re just looking for a day away, you’ll fall in love with Victoria’s historic charm.
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