If you’re looking for a quick Victorian-inspired getaway without spending hours on a flight crossing oceans, keep reading this blog post — because I’m going to take you to a gorgeous city just a 2.5-hour ferry ride north of Seattle: the charming city of Victoria in British Columbia.
Victoria is a beautiful coastal city located on Vancouver Island, known for its historic Victorian-style buildings, lush gardens, and lively waterfront. The capital city of British Columbia was named after Queen Victoria and is one of the oldest settlements in the Pacific Northwest.
You’ll find several heritage buildings constructed during the British era around the Old Town area — their stunning architecture and intricate details are sure to blow your mind.
The best part about visiting Victoria is that you can easily reach it from Seattle by ferry, and it’s quite budget friendly. The alternative route via Vancouver takes three times as long and involves a lot of driving. That’s why I highly recommend taking the ferry — it’s both convenient and timesaving.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing everything we did in Victoria, covering all the top spots and activities we enjoyed. Plus, I’ll also walk you through our FRS Clipper Ferry experience, things we loved and our immigration process on both ends.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the first section — the ferry!
FRS Clipper Ferry Seattle-Victoria Round-Trip
FRS Clipper Vacations runs a ferry service between Seattle and Victoria. The ferry departs Seattle at 8 AM, arriving in Victoria around 11 AM, with the return ferry departing at 5 PM (timings may vary, so be sure to check their website for the latest schedule). This gives you about 5-6 hours to explore the city, making it a perfect option for a day trip from Seattle.
We were able to cover all the top spots within those 5 hours, including a fun Afternoon Tea session at Butchart Gardens, which I’ll share more about in the Butchart Gardens section.
Ticket Booking
You can book your tickets through the Fever App or directly on the FRS Clipper website. I recommend booking at least 3 weeks in advance if you’re traveling during peak season, which runs from March to October. During the winter months, it’s usually less busy, and you can often find tickets even a week in advance. We booked a week before our trip, and our ferry was practically empty.
The ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. We paid $160 round trip per person, but the same ticket can cost around $270 round trip during peak season. On the brighter side, peak season also comes with much better weather than what we experienced on our trip.
There are three classes of tickets to choose from — Economy, Vista, and Comfort. We opted for Economy, and we had a comfortable journey both ways. You can also step out onto the deck and enjoy the views if the weather cooperates.
Immigration & boarding process
They recommend arriving at least 40 minutes to 1 hour before departure to complete the boarding process. Here’s how the process works:
- First, you’ll check in at the counter and hand over your passport.
- The staff will check your visa and may ask about the purpose of your visit.
- Once they’re satisfied, they’ll give you a printed boarding pass along with a card that says something like “Documents Checked.”
- You’ll then proceed to the exit gate, hand over the card, and aboard the ferry.
- Since the ferry was quite empty during our trip, we were able to change our seats at the information desk onboard. Keep in mind, this might not be possible during peak season when the ferry is full.
That’s it! The process is easy and hassle-free. Just make sure you arrive on time and have all the essential documents needed to cross international borders smoothly.
For Indian passport holders, you’ll need a valid Canadian Tourist Visa to enter Victoria.
Questions asked during immigration
- Purpose of visit? (Answer: “We’re here for a day trip to explore Victoria.”)
- How long will you be staying? (Answer: “We’re taking the evening ferry back to Seattle.”)
- Where do you live? (Answer: “Seattle, Washington.”)
- Where do you work? (Answer: “I work as [role] at [company name].”)
- Anything to declare? (Answer: “No” since this applies to alcohol, large amounts of cash, or goods for sale.)
Black Ball Ferry: Alternate Ferry Route
If you live near the Olympic Peninsula or west of Puget Sound, I recommend taking the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles instead. It’s much cheaper than the FRS Clipper Ferry and allows vehicles as well, making it a great option if you want to bring your car along.
Our Itinerary in a nutshell
Here’s a summary of our itinerary to give you an idea of everything we did in those 5-6 hours.
- Since we started early, around 7 AM, we brought our breakfast along — packed from La Parisienne French Bakery in Belltown — to enjoy on the way to the ferry terminal (Pier 69).
- We reached Victoria around 11 AM, and it took us about 30 minutes to clear immigration.
- Our first stop was Butchart Gardens, about a 30-minute drive from downtown. We decided to visit this first since it’s a bit further out. We spent about 2 hours here, exploring the stunning gardens and enjoying Afternoon Tea with bite-sized snacks.
- Next, we headed to Chinatown, where we wandered through narrow alleys and family-run bakeries and shops in Canada’s oldest Chinatown.
- We then strolled around Old Town, stopping at various historic and scenic spots along the way, and ended our walk at the Legislative Assembly Building, which is conveniently located just 5 minutes from the ferry terminal.
Please note: Lyft doesn’t operate in Victoria, so be sure to use Uber when booking cabs.
Top Things to do in Victoria
Here’s a detailed look at our day, where we managed to cover all the top spots. We tried to optimize our itinerary as much as possible to ensure we didn’t miss out on any of the must-visit places and activities.
That said, if you’re visiting during the summer, I highly recommend staying for a night or two so you can explore even more, including Sidney and East Sooke Regional Park.
Butchart Gardens
We started our day at Butchart Gardens, one of Canada’s most stunning botanical gardens and a must-visit in Victoria. It’s not just popular among tourists but also a local favorite. Many locals love buying the annual pass and visiting the gardens multiple times a year.
This garden was once a limestone quarry, which was transformed into a 55-acre floral wonderland by Jennie Butchart. The gardens feature several themed sections, along with three restaurants — including The Dining Room, which offers the popular Afternoon Tea experience.
There are five gardens you can visit, including:
- Sunken Garden – this is the most popular garden among all, a former quarry that was transformed into a breathtaking floral oasis with panoramic views from every angle.
- Rose Garden – a fragrant haven featuring hundreds of vibrant rose varieties, perfect for a romantic stroll. This is a seasonal garden, with spring and summer being the best times to visit.
- Japanese Garden – a serene space blending traditional Japanese landscaping with tranquil water features and winding pathways.
- Italian Garden – a charming courtyard-style garden with elegant fountains, symmetrical flower beds, and Mediterranean flair.
- Mediterranean Garden – a seasonal gem showcasing sun-loving plants and vibrant blooms inspired by coastal landscapes.
They also have an indoor garden called Spring Prelude, which is perfect for the winter season.
We bought our tickets online to save time and started our visit at the Visitor Center, where we picked up maps and information about the gardens. Due to limited time, we were only able to explore two gardens — the indoor garden and the Sunken Garden, but we were still very happy with the experience.
I spent most of my time in the indoor garden, admiring every plant. The aroma was so inviting, and the atmosphere felt incredibly peaceful.
High Tea at the Dining Room Butchart Garden
We had a 12:30 PM reservation at The Dining Room, which we had booked in advance through the OpenTable App. High Tea (or Afternoon Tea) is a popular experience all around Victoria, deeply connected to the city’s British colonial roots. This was our first time experiencing High Tea, and we were excited to try it!
Our server began by handing out menus, which listed everything they were about to serve, along with a selection of teas to choose from.
I ordered the Lemongrass & Ginger Tea, while Abhi went with the Rose Congou. You can check out our complete high tea experience in our YouTube video, but overall, we had an amazing time savoring the beautifully handcrafted snacks — from their signature scones and pastries to sandwiches.
Gift Shop
On the way out, we stopped by the gift shop to get a souvenir. The shop was huge, with a plethora of nature-inspired and native art showpieces. I highly recommend stopping by this place; they have an amazing collection of gifts and accessories.
- Entry Ticket: 32 CAD per person + 52 CAD for High tea experience
- Cab: 100 CAD round trip
- Coach/ Shuttle: $35.68 per person round trip
Victoria’s Chinatown
Our next spot was Chinatown, the oldest in Canada and the second oldest in North America. Chinatown was formed in the mid-1800s during the Fraser River Gold Rush as a settlement for Chinese immigrants and has now evolved into a vibrant cultural district.
We started at the Gates of Harmonious Interest, a grand, ornate gate that marks the entrance to Chinatown, symbolizing cultural unity and history. I loved observing the intricate details on the gate and how delicate the craftsmanship is.
Next, we explored the famous Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, walking through it to discover all the quirky shops, cafés, and boutiques tucked into the alley. One of the key sites to visit in this alley is the Chinese Museum, where you can learn more about the immigrants and their lives in the mid-1800s.
If we had more time, we would have stopped at an eatery to try some traditional, authentic Chinese food. The restaurant we had on our list was Wah Lai Yuen Bakery + Restaurant, as it was highly rated by the locals. But we did stop by a hidden gem tucked in 3 Fan Tan Alley called Friends and Family Bake, which beckoned us with its irresistible fragrance from a distance. We got ourselves a box full of sweet and savory treats, which we relished on the way back home.
Our final stop was Market Square, a courtyard-style marketplace filled with local artisan shops and street performances (usually on sunny days and weekends). We explored a few shops and found some unique souvenirs to bring back home.
Bastion Square
We only had an hour left before our boarding time, so we decided to stroll around Old Town, exploring the historic spots. The first was Bastion Square, located in the heart of downtown, a historic plaza offering a beautiful blend of the old and modern eras. This square was filled with pubs, artisanal shops, and stunning harbor views. One of the key landmarks we spotted while walking was the Hudson’s Bay Company’s original trading post, which was once the site of Fort Victoria.
Wharf Street
As we walked further south, we reached Wharf Street, which runs along Victoria’s Inner Harbour. This street offered stunning waterfront views and a few historic markers, including the Old Town marker and the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy sculpture. The street is also filled with lively dining spots offering delicious fish and chips. You’ll also come across the Visitor Center, which is a great spot to explore more things you can do in Victoria and the tours you can take, from whale-watching tours to boat rides around the bay.
Fairmont Empress
Our next spot was the Fairmont Empress hotel, Victoria’s most famous hotel, often called the “Castle on the Coast.” Opened in 1908, this historic landmark has hosted royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries over the years. The hotel flaunts a Chateau-style architecture and is known for its iconic Afternoon Tea. However, the cost is twice what we paid at Butchart Gardens’ Dining Room, so I recommend choosing based on your budget.
You can also stay at this property to experience royal living in an Edwardian-style, castle-like hotel with lush gardens, vintage interiors, and gorgeous waterfront views. Even if you’re not staying here or taking the Afternoon Tea experience, it’s worth stopping by for photos and a peek inside! We did the same and loved getting a feel for the hotel.
Royal Legislative Building of British Columbia
Our final stop was the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, also known as the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. It is the most iconic building in the city and stands as a testament to the province’s government and history. The building is an architectural masterpiece designed by Francis Rattenbury and completed in 1898.
It also bears a striking resemblance to Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial and features Neo-Baroque domes, intricate stonework, and a statue of Queen Victoria.
We were only able to admire it from the outside, but if you have time and are visiting on a weekday, you can take the free guided tour to explore the interior. The tour is self-guided and includes the historic chambers, stained glass windows, and parliamentary exhibits to learn about BC’s political history.
Moreover, the building is illuminated at night with thousands of twinkling bulbs, creating a magical scene against the waterfront. This place is a must-visit, even if you’re not into political history, just to admire its charm and heritage. And that’s how we concluded our day in Victoria. We reached 40 minutes before our boarding time to the ferry terminal that was just 5-minute walk from the parliament building.
Final thoughts about the day trip
Overall, I think this is a great deal for a fun day trip to Victoria. I definitely think it’s worth it, since the hotels are quite expensive, and you won’t miss out much.
The things worth ticking off if you stay overnight are the Parliament Building tour, Royal BC Museum, maybe a Whale Watching Tour, and spending more time in Butchart Gardens. Apart from that, I think a day trip is a great way to get a good peek into the city’s vibrant life and culture.
Stay in Victoria
If you’re planning to stay overnight, I recommend staying near the Inner Harbor with hotels under $120 per night. If you’re looking slightly on the higher side between $200–250 per night, I recommend picking a waterfront hotel. However, the prices might go up to $350–400 during peak season. Here are a few I recommend:
- Hotels under $120 per night – Best Western Plus Inner Harbour & Quality Inn Downtown Inner Harbour
- Hotels from $200-300 per night – Fairmont Empress & Hotel Grand Pacific
What to wear?
If you’re traveling between the end of January and early March, it’s highly likely that it will rain. So, make sure to carry your rain gear. We love to travel light and prefer multi-functional items. Therefore, I highly recommend trying Vessi’s; they have everything waterproof, from shoes to jackets, caps, gloves, socks, and more. Also, carry an umbrella in case the weather decides to have a torrential downpour instead of light drizzles.
Looking for more travel ideas in British Columbia? Don’t miss my Vancouver and Whistler Guides!
