The 15 1-Day Tours in Vancouver Visitors Rate Best

1.Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,242 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $232Our pick

Travel from Vancouver by mini-coach and ferry to Victoria, where you get free time for the city’s sights before walking the themed gardens at Butchart Gardens. The driver-guide handles transport and offers commentary along the way. Guide assignments vary; past tours have included Tim, Gavin, Carol, Tony, and Zack. Plan for a very long day.

“It is a VERY long day! We did luck out with a sunny day at the gardens. Truly gorgeous. Our driver Toni was super narrating and navigating thru Vancouvers crazy traffic and the ferry process.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Whistler, Sea to Sky Gondola, and Shannon Falls Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,134 reviews · 10 hours · from $141

Travel from Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway with an English-speaking driver-guide, ride the gondola above Howe Sound, stop at Shannon Falls, and spend three hours in Whistler. Guides such as Jason, Alex, Leslie, and Mary have shared local stories and practical tips. Hotel pickup, gondola admission, and free time are included; meals are not.

“We really enjoyed our trip. Our guide shared lots of information about the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Day Trip from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 725 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $185

Leave Vancouver by hotel pickup for a full day on the Sea to Sky Highway, with a local guide, admission to the Sea to Sky Gondola, three hours to explore Whistler, and a short stop at Shannon Falls. The gondola’s suspension bridge and Howe Sound views are included; meals and Whistler’s optional mountain lifts are extra.

“Absolutely the best way to see everything from Vancouver to Whistler. Our tour guide Zac was amazing he had a wealth of knowledge from all the sites we saw on the trip to even the best restaurants in Whistler Village. I would recommend this trip to anyone because you can actually enjoy the views and the whole experience without having to drive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sea to Sky Gondola and Whistler Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 636 reviews · 11 hours · from $156

Travel from downtown Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway with an English-speaking driver-guide. Stop at Shannon Falls, ride the gondola for mountain and Howe Sound views, then spend free time in Whistler. Gondola admission and shared transport are included; meals are not.

“Brilliant day out - our driver was super informative and helpful! All of the stops were well planned - great to see and the timings considered carefully to work for the full day. We had a lovely lunch in Whistler and an ice cream following walking to the Lost Lake which was well worth the walk! Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a day away from the city of Vancouver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Vancouver to Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $525

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air floatplane flight from Vancouver to Victoria, ride a shuttle to Butchart Gardens, then return by air. Admission and ground transport are included, with free time for Victoria afterward. The flight has no tour commentary, while shuttle drivers may provide narration.

“What a fun experience! 30 minute ride with fantastic views! Highly recommend 👍🏻 Great way to get to Victoria and easy walk to catch bus to Butchart Gardens. Some free time after the gardens to wander around. Fun day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane flight from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, then join a three-hour whale-watching trip with Orca Spirit Adventures. Look for Southern Resident orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and bald eagles with a local guide. Boat type can vary, so prepare for either a covered vessel or a fast, open Zodiac.

“The whale watching team were brilliant. We didn’t actually see a whale (which means we have a lifetime free do over) but we did see bald eagles, seals, sea lions, a river otter and, best of all, a wild sea otter. Victoria is beautiful and having a few hours there added greatly to the day as did the fantastic views from the seaplane. Definitely an experience we would have again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Sea To Sky Highway, Gondola, & Whistler Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 140 reviews · 10h 30m · from $181

Spend a full day on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, stopping at Shannon Falls and riding the Sea to Sky Gondola before free time in Whistler Village. An English-speaking driver-guide handles the route and shares local stories. The gondola is included; meals, hotel pickup and drop-off are not.

“I highly recommend this experience. The Discover Canada Tours team was well organized and pleasant. I selected this vendor because they offers "small group tours". Everybody was on time, which is crutial for logistics. Our comfortable shuttle could accomodate up to 24 people, we were 13, which was ideal. Our guide and driver, Rene, was so good and clearly enjoys what he does. He went above and beyond to show us all the wonders of this route, including some off-the-beaten path suprises (no spoilers!).”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Fly by Harbour Air seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria, then join a three-hour whale-watching trip with Orca Spirit Adventures. Expert naturalists search for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. You’ll also have time to explore downtown Victoria before the return flight.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better day, G made sure of it. Highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Victoria 1-Day Tour From Vancouver (Butchart Gardens) (Chn&Eng)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $187

Ride BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Victoria, spend about 75 minutes at Butchart Gardens, then see the Inner Harbour and city landmarks by coach. Ferry and garden admission are included. Guides have included Charlie, Ken and Jake, though the tour may be delivered in Chinese and English.

“Fully comprehensive tour with excellent planning and tour guide Ken He was helpful, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, experienced and understanding An excellent guide with three languages and cultural references An experience that we will come back for other trips Good value for money and easy booking via website”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Vancouver to Whistler Seaplane Day Trip: Self-Guided Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $375Top rated

Trade the road trip for a 35-minute seaplane flight from downtown Vancouver to Green Lake, then use a complimentary shuttle or bike to reach Whistler Village. Spend the day on your own, with optional hiking, cycling, shopping, ziplining, or the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at extra cost. The return flight brings you back to Vancouver Harbour.

“The plane ride was the best part of our trip. The views of the mountains were absolutely breathtaking! The flight is only 35 minutes, far better than the long drive to Whistler. Was a great experience taking off and landing in the water. Highly recommend for the views alone!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Butchart, Mile 0, Harbor 1-Day Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $181

Travel by coach and BC Ferries from Vancouver to Victoria for a full day of gardens, harbor views and city landmarks. Butchart Gardens admission, ferry tickets, bottled water and guide service are included. You’ll have 90 minutes at the gardens and time downtown, but expect a long day, early pickup and a tightly timed city visit.

“Kim had been a good narrator in the trip juggling many languages in the trip. I will surely recommend Kim as a good guide for Vancouver trips!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Whistler Day Trip from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $311

Leave Vancouver at about 9 am in a private vehicle with a local guide, travel the Sea to Sky Highway, stop at Shannon Falls and spend about four hours in Whistler. Your group sets the pace in the village. Guides have included Stan, Sebastian, Eric and Erick, but your assigned guide may vary. Food and mountain gondola tickets cost extra.

“Eric was easy to communicate with. Arrived on time. Nice Persona, nice vehicle. Great guide. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip to/from Whistler. This was a fun day! Would recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Whistler Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 12 reviews · 10 hours · from $292

Take a 10-hour private SUV trip from Vancouver to Whistler, stopping at Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola near Squamish before four hours of free time in Whistler Village. Your driver-guide speaks English or French. Melissa has led recent trips, though you should confirm who will guide your date. The gondola ticket and meals cost extra.

“We fully enjoyed the magnificent nature of Canada by riding not only Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish but also Peak to Peak Gondola in Whistler. We are grateful to our guide Melissa, for listening to our wishes and thoughtfully arranging the schedule and other details.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Seattle, Pike Place Market, The Spheres 1 Day Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $116

Travel from Vancouver to Seattle with a driver-guide, then see the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass from outside, visit the Amazon Spheres exterior, and get an hour at Pike Place Market. The tour lasts about 10 to 12 hours, includes four Vancouver-area pickup points, and costs $116 USD. Interior attraction tickets and meals are extra.

“Danial was a wonderful guide. Although English was not his mother tongue, he made good effort in his commentary and was engaging. The itinerary was excellent and we had a good time”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Day Trip from Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 10 reviews · 12 hours · from $247

Take a 12-hour guided coach and ferry trip from Vancouver to Victoria, with hotel pickup, a 90-minute Strait of Georgia crossing, city sights, and admission to Butchart Gardens. Guides including Dan, Anthony, and Mark have earned praise for their local commentary. Expect a full day, with time split between transport, the gardens, and Victoria.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip to Vancouver Island and the Butchart Gardens. Our driver and guide Dan, was extremely knowledgeable and informative. He was a pleasure to spend the day with! Would highly recommend this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review