Sightseeing Tours

Know Before You Go

Wondering how to best be prepared to board one of our tours? Here is everything you need to know!

 

Hop On Hop Off Citysights Tour

Dress for the weather! This tour operates on an open-top double decker bus. On hot, sunny days you will most definitely want a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Bringing bottled water is also a good idea to stay hydrated in the heat! Although we are located on the west coast of Canada, we do get some very hot summer days. On cooler days, we recommend dressing in layers. Wearing comfortable shoes for walking is also strongly suggested. Although this is a bus tour, there is plenty of walking at the various stops around the city.

Bring your camera! There is plenty to see along this tour, and you will most definitely want a camera to document the memories made in beautiful Victoria, BC.

 

Butchart Gardens Experience Tour

We have both coach buses and closed-top double decker buses servicing this tour. Dressing for the weather is recommended, as the Butchart Gardens are entirely outdoors. Don’t worry if there is rain in the forecast, the Gardens have complimentary transparent umbrellas!

Wondering whether to eat before or after your tour? The Gardens have a cafe, ice cream booths, a restaurant, and a teahouse! Plenty of options are available for folks with dietary restrictions.

 

Accessibility

We do our best to ensure folks with accessibility needs have these needs met. In terms of wheelchair accessibility, all of our buses are wheelchair accessible. Whenever possible, we board folks in wheelchairs first.

Strollers/prams are able to fit on all of our buses, either in storage compartments or on the lower floor of the double decker buses.

Unfortunately, the only language offered for our tours at this time is English. We also regretfully do not have any ASL guides available on our buses. However, we do have an amazing team of drivers and customer service agents who do their best to communicate clearly and ensure guests have a pleasant experience.

Guide dogs are more than welcome on all of our tours! The Butchart Gardens also allow dogs.

 

Washrooms

None of our buses have washrooms on board. We recommend using the washroom before boarding our tours. Public washrooms can be found across the street from our kiosk location at stop number 1 and staff can help point the way. There are public washrooms at most stops along our tour, though some stop locations may require purchasing something from a business to use their customer washroom.

 

Have a question that wasn’t answered on this page? Check out our FAQs page!

 

Safe Travels

Global Protocols & Stamp for the New Normal

WTTC alongside our Members, governments, health experts and other industry associations are working together to achieve effective recovery protocols by developing meaningful action plans that optimise sector-wide recovery efforts.

Part of our protocols include providing the public & private sectors with the insights & toolkits for interaction & implementation to ensure that people are and feel safe however WTTC, our members and the sector can not guarantee 100% safety. It is paramount to have common rules. Ultimately, we envision a future of travel which is safe, secure, seamless and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the traveller across the journey; one which supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes to sustainable economic growth. Learn More

GrayLine Heath & Safety Logo

COVID-19 Safety Plan

The health and safety of our passengers, staff and community continue to be our top priority as we begin to restart services. As such, the return of our operations will not be a “return to normal”. Along with increased cleaning procedures, we have implemented several new health and safety policies that reflect those approved by WorkSafe BC, Transport Canada, and the Provincial Health Authorities. We will continue to move cautiously forward as we navigate through this difficult time, keeping all those who have been affected close at heart and with gratitude towards those who have been working tirelessly to help BC flatten the curve.

Click here for Grayline’s Health & Safety Guidelines

What you need to know

We will be offering our Gray Line Hop-on Hop-off tours again starting March 04, 2022.

Location: 

  • Kiosk (located in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel):

Office Hours:

  • Daily 9:00-5:00

Bus Schedule (as of March 05, 2022)

Saturday, Sunday Only

10:00, 12:00, 14:00 & 16:00

Payment Options

Payment can be made via debit or credit cards and our machines are equipped with tap purchases to a max. of $250 dollars for Credit Cards and $100 for Debit. We are taking cash at this time, but encourage the use of touch-less payment methods. Tickets can also be purchased on our website at www.sightseeingvictoria.com . Vouchers from third party sellers (ie. TripAdvisor, Harbour Air, Clipper Vacations) will continue to be accepted at our kiosk.

PPE/Masks

It is recommended that passengers wear a face mask or covering but it is not required for the duration of the tour.

Social Distancing

As per WorkSafe BC and Transport Canada, for transportation of passengers no adjustments for seating are required. It is our recommendation that passengers sit on the top deck of the bus to allow for optimal air circulation. We also ask that you please respect social distancing while waiting in line at our kiosk.

Food and Drink

Currently, we ask that all passengers refrain from bringing any food or beverage items on the bus. We reserve the right to ask that any passengers safely and appropriately dispose of their items before entering the bus.

Loading and Unloading

We ask that all passengers please load and unload using the rear door of the bus. Upon arrival at each stop, please stay seated until instructed to exit the bus should you wish to get off at one of our 15 different stops.

COVID Screening Questions

We reserve the right to screen passengers for symptoms of COVID-19 using a series of questions (see below for an example). Passengers will be denied boarding if they answer yes or refuse to answer any screening questions. Passengers who display symptoms will be refused transportation and referred to the provincial government self-assessment tool, consistent with Transport Canada COVID-19 travel restrictions.

  1. Do you have a fever and a cough?
  2. Do you have a fever and breathing difficulty?
  3. Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19?
  4. Are you the subject of a provincial/territorial or local public health order?