On this route a rideshare usually costs less than a taxi: about $36 at normal demand against roughly $47 on the meter. The trip from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to Lonsdale Quay is 20 km and takes about 25 minutes.
Rideshare fare and its demand swings
Our $36 is an estimate from average rates, not an Uber quote, and the likely range is $32 to $42. The rates behind it are a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. For 20 km and 25 minutes the first three come to $34.25, and with the booking fee the total is about $36.
Demand multiplies the fare before the booking fee goes on. At busy times (1.2 times) the price is about $43. Very busy (1.5 times) brings it to about $53, and a peak (double) to about $71. That peak figure is nearly twice the normal one, so it is worth checking the app before you commit to a ride on a crowded day.
Bigger cars are priced higher. Comfort is about $45, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $52 and Premier is about $79. Only the Uber app shows the actual upfront price for your pickup.
What the taxi would charge
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi share one published tariff, which is a $3.75 flag fee plus $2.18 for each km. Across 20 km the meter would reach about $47. Waiting time and extras are not counted in that number, so the fare you pay at the end may be somewhat higher.
The taxi price does not respond to demand. If the rideshare price climbs past the busy level, the meter figure becomes the more predictable one, although at normal demand the app is still cheaper.
Finding the driver at Horseshoe Bay
Ferry terminals are places where many riders arrive together. Look at the pickup point the app offers and follow it. Type your destination address in full, and if you are meeting someone at the end, tell them roughly when to expect you.
Ask whether your luggage will fit before the trip starts. If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, book it well ahead, since fewer of them are on the road at any moment.
For a ride of about 25 minutes, a small cushion in your schedule is enough. If the app asks for much more than $42, the top of the likely range, demand is the usual reason, and you can wait a short while and check again. Riders travelling as a group of five or six should compare the XL price of about $52 with the cost of two cars before choosing.