How much does an Uber cost from Gastown (Steam Clock) to Yaletown? About $9 at normal demand, with a likely range of $7 to $10. The trip is 2 km and takes about 5 minutes.
Where the $9 comes from
We use average rideshare rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Two kilometres adds $2.30 and five minutes adds $1.75, so the ride works out near $8.55 before rounding.
That is an estimate, not Uber’s own price. The Uber app shows the real upfront price when you request the ride.
The regional minimum fare is $4.43, so a trip this short still sits above it.
When the app gets busier
Demand changes the fare. At 1.2 times normal it is about $10. At very busy (1.5 times) it is about $12, and at peak (2 times) about $15.
If you want a roomier car, Comfort is about $10, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $11 and Premier is about $17.
On such a small fare the gaps are only a few dollars, so the biggest question is usually how long you wait for a driver.
The taxi option
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both list a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 per km. For 2 km the meter estimate is about $8.
That figure leaves out any waiting charge and extras. The flag fee is a big share of a short fare, so the final total can drift up if the car has to wait for you.
Getting picked up smoothly
Check the pickup spot in the app and stand where the map pin says. Enter the exact address you are heading to, so the driver sees the real route.
For a ride this brief, many people would also compare it against walking. If you do book, allow a little extra time when demand is high, since waiting for the car can take longer than the drive.
Anyone who needs an accessible vehicle should book one ahead by phone rather than rely on the app at short notice.
One more point on cost: because the fare is so low, the booking fee is a large part of it. Of the $9 typical price, $2 is that fee, which is why a two kilometre hop never costs as little as the distance alone suggests.
If the price jumps at a peak moment, waiting a few minutes and checking again is a simple way to see whether it settles back toward the normal figure.