Before you book the ride from SFU Burnaby to Coquitlam Centre, open the app and compare the upfront price with what you see here. A standard rideshare is about $31 at normal demand for the 15 km trip, which takes about 25 minutes. The likely range is $27 to $36.
Where the $31 comes from
Our figures are estimates built from average rates, not Uber’s own prices. The base fare is $2.50, each km adds $1.15 and each minute adds $0.35. For 15 km that is $17.25 and for 25 minutes it is $8.75, so the trip portion is $28.50. The $2 booking fee brings it to roughly $31. The regional minimum fare of $4.43 does not come into play on a trip this long.
Busy periods raise the trip portion. At 1.2 times the estimate is about $36, at 1.5 times about $45 and at the peak 2 times about $59. That is a big swing on a trip of this length, so a quick look at the app before you commit can save real money. If the price is high, waiting a few minutes and checking again costs nothing.
Larger or more comfortable cars cost more. Comfort is about $38, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $43 and Premier is about $66 at normal demand. XL is the one to look at if you are travelling with several people, since the cost can be split between you.
What the meter reads for 15 km
The flag fee at Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi is $3.75, and the distance rate is $2.18 per km. Over 15 km the meter would come to about $36 for each. That is above the normal rideshare estimate and level with the busy rideshare figure. Waiting time and extras are not included, so the final fare can end up higher than the meter estimate.
Practical tips for this trip
A few habits make a 25 minute ride easier to plan.
- Check the pickup spot the app suggests and walk there before the car arrives.
- Enter the full street address for the drop off, because a mall name alone can be vague.
- Ask whether your bags fit if you are carrying more than a backpack.
- Book an accessible vehicle in advance by phone, for example Yellow Cab Vancouver on 604-681-1111.
If you have a fixed arrival time, leave earlier than you think you need to. Waits and fares both go up when lots of riders request cars at the same moment.