Rideshare and taxi are close on this trip. A standard rideshare from YVR Airport to Brentwood (Burnaby) is about $36 at normal demand, while the meter on a published taxi tariff comes to about $43. The distance is 18 km and the drive takes about 30 minutes.
Rideshare price and what drives it
The likely range for a standard rideshare is $32 to $42. We get there with average rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. Over 18 km, the time charge and the distance charge are of similar size, and the booking fee is a noticeable part of a fare this small.
Demand moves the number. At a busy time (1.2 times) the fare is about $42, which is the top of the usual range. Very busy (1.5 times) brings it to about $53, and a peak (2 times) to about $69. These are estimates from average rates, not Uber’s own prices, and the Uber app shows the real upfront price.
Comfort is about $44, XL (up to 6 seats) about $51 and Premier about $78. For a party of four or five with bags, XL costs about $15 more than a standard car and saves you from booking two vehicles.
Taxi meter estimate
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi publish the same tariff, a $3.75 flag fee plus $2.18 per km. For 18 km that gives a meter estimate of about $43. Waiting time and extras are not included, so treat it as a floor and not a final bill.
That puts the taxi about $7 above the normal rideshare estimate, yet it is roughly level with a busy rideshare fare and below very busy pricing. If the app shows a surge, a taxi can be the cheaper choice.
Getting picked up smoothly
Look at the pickup spot in the app before you walk out, and share the exact address you are heading to. Tell the driver if you have large bags, and ask whether they fit. Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle should book it ahead by phone. Allow extra time at peak hours, since 30 minutes is an average and not a promise. On a short airport trip like this one the fare is small, so a surge multiplier is easy to spot in the app. If it appears, wait a few minutes and look again, or phone a taxi company for comparison.