The trip from West End to Gastown is 3 km, which takes about 8 minutes by car. A standard rideshare is about $11 at normal demand, and the likely range is $9 to $13.
Where the $11 comes from
These prices are estimates built from average rideshare rates. They are not Uber’s own prices. The calculation starts with a $2.50 base fare, adds $1.15 for each km and $0.35 for each minute, applies a demand multiplier, and then adds a $2 booking fee. The regional minimum fare is $4.43, and on a trip this short that floor matters more than it does on a long ride.
When demand rises, so does the total. At a busy level (1.2 times) it is about $13. At very busy (1.5 times) it is about $15, and at peak (2 times) it is about $20. Only the Uber app can show the actual upfront price for your pickup, so open it before you decide.
Bigger vehicles are priced higher. Comfort is about $13, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $15, and Premier is about $22. For one or two people with light bags, the standard car is usually enough.
Taxi meter for the West End to Gastown hop
We could not find a published taxi tariff for this area, so we looked at two that are published. Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi each charge a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 per km, which comes to about $10 for 3 km. That figure leaves out waiting time and any extras. Because tariffs differ between companies, phone one for a quote. Vancouver Taxi is on 604-871-1111 and MacLure’s Cabs is on 604-831-1111.
Practical tips for a short city ride
A few habits make a short ride go smoothly:
- Look at the pickup spot the app proposes and drag it if the car cannot easily reach it.
- Type the full street address, including any unit or entrance, so the driver does not have to call.
- Ask the driver whether luggage or a stroller will fit before you load it.
- Book a wheelchair accessible vehicle ahead of time, since those are fewer than standard cars.
Short trips can see large percentage swings when demand jumps, because the booking fee and base fare make up much of the total. If the price looks high, waiting a few minutes and checking again is a fair option. Card payment is listed for Vancouver Taxi, which helps if you carry no cash.