How much will a short ride from Ambleside to Dundarave cost? Our estimate is about $11 for a standard rideshare at normal demand, and the likely range is $9 to $13. The distance is 3 km and the drive takes about 8 minutes.
Where the price comes from
The estimate uses average rideshare rates, not Uber’s own prices, so treat it as a guide. Before you confirm, the Uber app displays what the ride will actually cost.
The rate card is a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. A 3 km trip adds $3.45 for distance and $2.80 for time. With the base fare that is $8.75, and the booking fee brings it to about $11. The booking fee is a large share of a trip this short, which is why a few kilometres never cost much less than $9. The regional minimum fare is $4.43, but a trip of this length lands well above it.
Demand changes the total a little. At a busy time the estimate is about $13, when it is very busy about $15, and at peak surge about $20. Because the base is small, even a doubled rate is a modest amount in dollars.
If you need more room, Comfort is about $13, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $15 and Premier is about $22.
Choosing how to make the trip
Taxi on a published tariff
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi each post a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 per km. For 3 km the meter would show about $10. Waiting time and extras are not included, so allow a little more. On a trip this short, a taxi and a rideshare cost about the same, and the better choice is whichever can reach you sooner.
For a phone booking, Vancouver Taxi is at 604-871-1111 and Yellow Cab Vancouver is at 604-681-1111. Both list wheelchair accessible vehicles and app booking.
Making a short hop go smoothly
Short rides are the ones drivers are least likely to want, so the quickest way to get a match is to be exact. Enter the full pickup address in the app and stand where the driver can see you when the car arrives. A driver who is a few minutes away may cancel if the pin looks wrong, and the wait starts over.
If you are carrying shopping or a stroller, say so when you book. If anyone in your group needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle, phone a taxi company ahead of time rather than hoping one appears in the app. At busy hours, allow a few extra minutes for the car to arrive, because the drive itself may be shorter than the wait.