A hop-on hop-off pass is the simplest way to get a first look at a city, and Victoria is a good place to try one because the main sights are spread across a few distinct areas rather than packed into one square. This pass gives you a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket for the sightseeing bus, valid for one or two days after activation depending on which you choose, with a live English-speaking guide on board and an interactive brochure included. The tour meets directly in front of the Fairmont Empress at 721 Government Street, where you check in at the kiosk, exchange your voucher for a boarding pass with the staff under the red umbrellas, and board. The product description mentions the Inner Harbour, the Empress and Canada's oldest Chinatown among the sights, and the circuit also makes it easy to reach Craigdarroch Castle, whose entry is not included but can be bought on site. The operator is Pacific Northwest Transportation Services, based on Dallas Road, and a tour group is limited to twenty. The pass holds a 4.5 rating from sixteen reviews, so it is a newer or smaller product than the big attractions, but the flexibility is its selling point: you can ride a full circuit for orientation or hop off wherever you like.
How it works
Buses run hourly from 9:30 to 5:30, according to the product page, so plan your day around the hourly departures, and arrive 15 minutes before the bus you want to catch. A full circuit takes about an hour and a half. The pass lets you hop on and off whenever the tours are operating, so you can spend an hour at a museum or a lunch stop and rejoin the next bus.
Check the route map on your confirmation, since the stops are not listed in the description we have, and note that the lower deck is wheelchair accessible. Tips for the guide are optional.
What to know before you buy
The 24-hour and 48-hour options give different value, and the 48-hour pass makes sense if you want to ride a circuit on the first day and hop off at Craigdarroch Castle or the Inner Harbour on the second. Craigdarroch is open Wednesday to Sunday only, so plan the day you visit to match its hours.
The product states free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before the visit date, and rescheduling is possible until the same deadline, which is helpful in a city where the weather can change a plan. Dress in layers if you plan to sit on an open upper deck, and bring a camera with a strap.
Making it count
This is most useful for first-time visitors with limited time, travellers who do not want to drive, and families with children who enjoy sightseeing from a bus. Use the first circuit to get a feel for the city and to choose which stops are worth more time, then hop off at the ones that interest you most, such as the harbour, the castle or Chinatown.
It pairs well with a walking tour of Old Town in the evening and with a visit to the Royal BC Museum. For visitors planning The Butchart Gardens, remember that the hop-on bus does not go all the way there, so book separate transport or a tour for that outing.
What to expect
The experience
A hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for 24 or 48 hours, with live English commentary, leaving from in front of the Fairmont Empress.
Best time
Your first day in Victoria, to choose where to spend more time.
How long
A full circuit takes about an hour and a half, and you can hop off wherever you like.
Tips
Arrive 15 minutes early, check in at the kiosk, and plan around hourly buses from 9:30 to 5:30.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors and families who want an easy overview without driving.
- Families
- Children enjoy the bus and the commentary, and the lower deck is wheelchair accessible.
- Couples
- A relaxed first-day orientation before choosing a romantic dinner.
- Pair with
- A walk along the Inner Harbour, or a visit to Craigdarroch Castle.
- Time needed
- About half a day for a full circuit with a couple of stops.
Good questions
Where does the Victoria hop-on hop-off bus start?+
It meets at 721 Government Street, directly in front of the Fairmont Empress. Check in at the kiosk and swap your voucher for a boarding pass.
How often do the buses run?+
Buses run hourly from 9:30 to 5:30. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Is there a guide?+
Yes, a live English-speaking guide is on board.
Is Craigdarroch Castle included?+
No, castle entry is not included, but you can buy tickets on site.
Can I cancel or reschedule?+
Yes, free cancellation with a full refund and rescheduling are available until 24 hours before the visit date.
