A taxi from Vancouver airport to downtown hotels such as the Fairmont Waterfront is charged at a flat zone fare, quoted at C$36 to C$45 for most downtown hotels. UberX for the same trip typically runs C$30 to C$50. The ride takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes.
Taxi from YVR to the Fairmont Waterfront
Taxis leaving YVR use flat-rate zone fares set by the Passenger Transportation Board, and downtown hotels fall in the downtown zone. A flat fare means traffic on the way in does not change what you pay for the zone, which suits anyone who wants a known price before leaving the curb. Taxis are licensed and metered for trips outside the zone system. Tips are extra, and the Board also lists a premium location charge for some YVR trips that end outside the Richmond and Vancouver zones, so ask the driver to confirm the total before you leave if your destination is borderline.
Uber from YVR to the Fairmont Waterfront
Uber and Lyft both serve the airport from marked ride-app pickup areas. Uber does not offer flat rates from YVR, so the price you see in the app is based on time, distance and demand. UberXL and Lyft XL are listed at C$45 to C$70, and the larger vehicles are worth it if you have several bags or travel as a group.
What moves the Uber price
- Demand: surge pricing can apply when flights are arriving, during events or at other busy times.
- Time of day and weather: early mornings, late evenings and bad weather can raise prices or slow the route.
- Fees: booking or airport charges may be added to the quote.
- Promotions: a promo code can reduce the final fare.
Other ways to reach the hotel
The Canada Line SkyTrain runs from the airport to Waterfront Station, a short walk from the hotel, in about 25 minutes. Published fares are C$9.00 at peak and C$7.75 off peak, which makes it the cheapest choice for solo travellers and couples. With several people or heavy luggage, a taxi or rideshare often works out better.
Picking between the two
Open the Uber app before you land and compare its quote with the taxi zone fare. Allow extra time if you arrive at rush hour. To compare before you travel, run the trip through the Uber estimate calculator and the taxi fare estimator. For more on cabs in the city, see the Vancouver taxi page.