Rideshare is cheaper than a taxi on the trip from YVR Airport to Guildford (Surrey). A standard car is about $62 at normal demand, while the taxi meter on a published tariff comes to about $80. The distance is 35 km and the drive takes about 50 minutes.
Rideshare pricing
How the $62 is built
Our figures are estimates from average rates and not Uber’s own prices. The Uber app shows the real upfront price, and it may land anywhere in the likely range of $56 to $72.
The rate card has a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per kilometre, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Thirty five kilometres adds $40.25 and fifty minutes adds $17.50. With the base fare that is $60.25, and the booking fee takes it to about $62.
Busy periods and larger cars
At a busy level (1.2 times) the price is about $74. At very busy (1.5 times) it is about $92, and at a peak (2 times) it is about $123.
Comfort is about $77, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $89, and Premier is about $138. XL makes sense when the group or the luggage is large.
Taxi and planning the ride
The meter estimate
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi publish a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per kilometre. Over 35 km that works out to about $80 on the meter. Waiting time and extras are not included, so treat it as a minimum rather than a final bill.
Practical points for an airport trip
Start in the app before you leave the terminal building, and follow its pickup instructions. Type in the exact street address for the drop off. If someone in your party uses a wheelchair, book ahead with a company that lists accessible vehicles, such as Vancouver Taxi on 604-871-1111 or MacLure’s Cabs on 604-831-1111. Fifty minutes is a long ride, so leave extra time if you have somewhere to be when you arrive.
The gap between the two options is about $18 at normal demand, which adds up on a ride of this length. It narrows when the app shows a higher multiplier, and at the very busy level the rideshare price of about $92 is already above the meter estimate. That is the moment to phone a taxi company and compare, rather than accepting the first number you see. Ask the dispatcher whether the quote covers the whole trip, and write down the answer.