Before you book, open the Uber app and look at where the pickup pin sits, because the pin decides where your driver will arrive. Once that is set, the trip from Downtown Kelowna to Knox Mountain Park is 4 km and takes about 10 minutes. At normal demand a regular rideshare comes to about $13, with most fares between $11 and $15.
Where the $13 comes from
We work from average rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Four kilometres adds about $4.60 and ten minutes adds $3.50, so the ride itself comes to $10.60 before the booking fee. With the fee included you land at roughly $13.
Our numbers come from typical rates and are not what Uber itself publishes. The upfront price shown in the Uber app is the one that counts, and it can sit a few dollars either side of ours.
What happens when the app gets busy
When requests outnumber cars, fares climb. At a busy level (about 1.2 times normal) the same trip is around $15. At very busy (1.5 times) expect about $18, and at peak (double the normal rate) it reaches about $23.
If your plans are flexible, wait a few minutes and check again. Demand often eases and the price drops with it.
Larger cars for the Knox Mountain trip
Comfort cars cost about $15 for this trip. XL, which seats up to 6, is about $17, and Premier is about $26. For a short run with two or three people, the standard car is usually enough. Pick XL when the group is bigger than four or you are carrying gear for a day outdoors.
Taxi and getting picked up
No taxi tariff for this area was available for us to check, so we have no meter figure. If you prefer a taxi, phone a local company and ask for a quote before you get in.
Whichever way you travel, type or share the exact address or meeting point with your driver. A park is a large place, and a driver who is guessing may stop somewhere you did not expect.
Leave a little extra time if you are heading out when the app is busy, since a car can take longer to arrive. If someone in your group needs an accessible vehicle, arrange it ahead of the day and do not count on one being free when you ask.