Airport trips are the ones people want a price for before they land. The table below compares the estimated Uber price with the taxi tariff for the routes we cover from Vancouver International (YVR) and Abbotsford (YXX) airports. Open a route for the full price matrix, the taxi fare and companies to call.
Estimates from average rates at normal demand, before tips, tolls and airport fees. The taxi column uses the tariff of a company listed for the route when one is published, and is left empty when none is.
Before you book an airport ride
- Ask the taxi company whether it takes airport bookings and whether you need to pre-book. Of the companies on our lists, 29 mention airport rides, and few say anything more.
- Ask for the pickup spot. Airports often keep taxis and rideshare in different places.
- Ask whether an airport fee is added to the meter, and add it in the estimator if it is.
- Check the app for cars near the airport before you count on a rideshare, and do the same at any smaller airport you use.
Companies that list airport rides
Look at the area page for the airport you are using: Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley or Campbell River. Each page marks the companies that mention airport rides. Our guide to a preferred taxi explains how to compare them.
Other airports and your own trip
The table covers YVR and Abbotsford. For Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley or Campbell River airports, or any destination not in the table, enter the distance in the Uber estimate calculator or the taxi fare estimator. The numbers behind both are on how we calculate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from YVR to downtown Vancouver?
Rides from the airport are charged by zone, not by the meter. The Passenger Transportation Board table lists $42 for the Canada Place and downtown zone, $36 for Kitsilano and Broadway, $31 for central Vancouver and $26 for central Richmond. Ask the driver to confirm the fare for your address before you leave the curb.
Is Uber or a taxi cheaper from the airport?
It depends on the route and on demand. The table above puts the estimated Uber price next to the taxi tariff for each route, so you can compare them for your trip. Uber prices move with demand, while taxi tariffs are approved rates.
Is there a cheaper way from YVR than a taxi?
The Canada Line runs from the airport to downtown and to Bridgeport station. Trips that start at YVR-Airport station carry a $5 AddFare on top of the regular fare. Our River Rock Casino guide shows one such trip in detail.
Do I need to book a taxi in advance for an airport ride?
At YVR a cab can be taken from the rank. For smaller airports on Vancouver Island, ask the company when you call, and book ahead for late or early arrivals, since small-town companies may have only a few cars.