Waiting can be cheaper than booking during a surge, but nothing guarantees it. Uber shows the full price in the app before you confirm, and if demand is high the price already includes a surge. If you can wait and check again, the price may come down. If you need to be somewhere at a set time, scheduling ahead is the safer choice.
How Uber shows prices
Uber uses upfront pricing. The price you see is the total for the trip, based on the expected time and distance, traffic and how many riders and drivers are active at that moment. When demand pushes fares up, the app tells you the price is higher than usual. Because the surge is built into the price, there is nothing hidden to add later, apart from changes to the trip itself such as extra stops, a new destination or a major detour.
Peak times in Vancouver
Fares move with demand. Rush hour, big events, concerts and bad weather tend to raise prices, while quiet times of day tend to lower them. Heavy rain or a stadium emptying at once sends many people to the app at the same time. If you can wait until the crowd clears or the weather settles, the price shown may drop. Check the app again after a few minutes instead of assuming how long a surge will last, because it depends on the area and the moment.
Scheduling instead of waiting
Uber Reserve lets riders book in advance in select Canadian cities, which suits airport runs, trips to other cities or planned events. Uber says a reserved ride pairs a driver with your trip ahead of time so pickups are more punctual, and it carries an extra booking fee. A cancellation inside the final hour before pickup can also be charged. Reserve secures a driver for your trip, so compare the price shown with a normal request before you commit.
Other ways to save
- Public transit. In Metro Vancouver, buses and SkyTrain are often the cheapest way across town during a busy period.
- A licensed taxi. Metered rates are set by the Passenger Transportation Board and do not change with demand, so a taxi can come out ahead during a heavy surge. Use the taxi fare estimator to get a rough idea.
- Promotions. Uber sometimes runs promo codes and offers. Look in the app before you book.
Weighing the saving against your schedule
If your time is flexible, waiting a little can pay off. If a flight, appointment or ferry sailing is fixed, the cost of arriving late is usually higher than any fare difference. Plan around the deadline, check the price at a couple of moments, and book when the number looks reasonable.