A standard Uber from SFU Burnaby to Metrotown costs about $25 at normal demand. The likely range is $22 to $30. Expect 12 km on the road and a drive of around 20 minutes.
How we get to $25
Average rideshare rates drive the estimate. There is a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. For 12 km and 20 minutes, the total is close to $25.
This is our estimate, not Uber’s price. Request the ride in the app to see the real upfront fare.
The likely range of $22 to $30 allows for small differences in the route taken and the time spent on the road. A ride that stops at lights more often than average will land toward the top of it.
Busy times and bigger cars
When the area is busy (x1.2), the fare rises to about $30. Very busy (x1.5) means about $37, and peak (x2) means about $49.
Comfort would cost about $31, XL (up to 6 seats) about $36, and Premier about $54. For a short hop with a few people and some shopping bags, XL is worth a look if the standard price is not much lower.
Before you confirm, look at the total the app shows and compare it with the figures here. If it is far above the busy price, demand is probably high at that moment.
Taxi rates
Taxis from Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi start at a $3.75 flag fee and add $2.18 per km. On 12 km, the meter would show about $30. Anything charged for waiting or extras comes after that figure.
That puts the taxi about $5 above the standard rideshare estimate at normal demand. The two meet around the busy price.
Practical points for a short ride
Twenty minutes is brief, so small delays at the start matter more. Check the pickup pin in the app and move it if the car is being sent to the wrong spot.
Enter the exact address where you want to be dropped off. A centre can have several entrances, and the name alone may not tell the driver which one you mean.
If you are leaving a class or an event that finishes at the same time as many others, expect the price to climb for a while. Waiting ten minutes can sometimes bring the fare back down, and the app will show the change.
Ask about luggage or bulky items before the driver arrives, and book an accessible vehicle ahead if you need one.