A standard rideshare from Tsawwassen Mills to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal costs about $15 at normal demand, and the likely range is $13 to $18. The trip is 6 km and takes about 10 minutes, so it is a short hop.
How the fare is worked out
Our figure is an estimate from average rates, not a price from Uber. The Uber app shows the real upfront price, and that is the number to trust.
The calculation uses a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km and $0.35 per minute, plus a $2 booking fee. Rideshare prices never drop below a regional minimum fare, which is $4.43 here, but a 6 km trip sits well above that.
Demand can still move the total. At a busy time (x1.2) it is about $17, when very busy (x1.5) about $21, and at a peak (x2) about $28. On a short trip the dollar changes look small, though the peak price is nearly double the normal one.
For more space, Comfort is about $18 and XL (up to 6 seats) is about $21. Premier is about $31. XL is the one to pick if you have a family and several suitcases.
Taxi meter over 6 km
The two taxi firms we checked, Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, publish a flag fee of $3.75 and a rate of $2.18 for each km. Over 6 km the meter comes to about $17. Time spent waiting and any extras would be added on top.
On a short trip the flag fee makes up a large share of the total, which is why the taxi sits a little above the rideshare estimate. If you want a firm quote, you can phone Vancouver Taxi on 604-871-1111 or Yellow Cab Vancouver on 604-681-1111.
Getting to a ferry terminal on time
If you are catching a sailing, build in more time than the 10 minutes the drive takes. Check your booking details before you leave, and have your reservation handy so you are not searching for it in the car.
Share the exact address you are leaving from. Shopping centres are large, and the driver needs to know which entrance to find you at.
If you have luggage, ask the driver whether it fits before you load it. A group with several bags is better off in an XL than in a standard car.
For a wheelchair accessible vehicle, phone ahead rather than waiting for one to turn up on the app. Vancouver Taxi and Yellow Cab Vancouver both list accessible service.