Lonsdale Quay to Horseshoe Bay is 20 km, a drive of about 25 minutes, and a standard rideshare costs about $36 at normal demand (likely range $32 to $42).
What the ride costs and why
Our price is calculated from average rideshare rates rather than taken from Uber, so call it an estimate. Inputs: base fare $2.50, distance at $1.15 per km, time at $0.35 per minute, booking fee $2. Twenty kilometres and 25 minutes add up to a little over $36 once the fee is on.
Busy periods push that up. At a 1.2 multiplier the trip is about $43, at 1.5 it is about $53, and at peak demand, double the normal charge, about $71. The upfront price in the Uber app is the one you will actually pay, so open it before you settle on a plan.
Bigger cars cost more. Comfort is about $45, XL (up to 6 seats) about $52 and Premier about $79. For five or six people, one XL at $52 is cheaper than two standard cars at about $36 each.
Taxi prices and planning the trip
Taxi to Horseshoe Bay: meter estimate
The published tariff at Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi is $3.75 flat to start and $2.18 per km after that. Over 20 km the meter would come to about $47, roughly $11 above the rideshare estimate. That figure leaves out waiting time and extras.
At this distance the gap between a taxi and a rideshare is big enough to matter, so look at both before you commit. Vancouver Taxi (604-871-1111) can give you a quote by phone and lists wheelchair accessible vehicles, app booking and card payment.
Getting the timing right
Twenty kilometres is long enough that a late car will hurt. Book a little before you need to leave, and allow extra time if you have somewhere to be at a set hour, because a busy period can slow both the pickup and the drive.
Tell the driver the exact place you want to be dropped, and check the pin in the app before you confirm. If you carry large bags or sports gear, ask whether they fit before the car arrives. XL is the safer pick when space is tight.
You can also watch the price for a few minutes before booking. Fares move as drivers go online and offline, and on a trip this long a difference of a few dollars is common enough to be worth a second look.
Finally, keep your phone charged. The app is how you follow the car, message the driver and show where you are, and a flat battery halfway through the wait is an easy problem to avoid.