Plan on about 60 minutes in the car from YVR Airport to Pitt Meadows, a trip of 45 km. A standard rideshare costs about $77 at normal demand, and the likely range is $69 to $89.
What the ride costs
The rideshare estimate
These figures are estimates from average rates, not Uber’s own prices. The rate card starts at $2.50 and adds $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Here that works out as $2.50, plus 45 km at $1.15, plus 60 minutes at $0.35, times the demand level, plus the booking fee.
When the app is busy, the numbers climb. At 1.2 times normal it is about $92, at 1.5 times about $115, and at double about $153. The Uber app displays the real upfront price, so rely on it over our estimate.
For extra room or comfort, Comfort is about $96, XL (up to 6 seats) about $111 and Premier about $171.
The taxi alternative
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both list a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per km. For 45 km the meter would come to about $102 with either company, before waiting time and extras. Neither is included in that number, so allow some room in your budget.
At normal demand the rideshare estimate is lower than the meter. When the app reaches 1.5 times its usual price, the two are close, and at double the taxi is clearly cheaper.
Cash is not the only way to think about the choice. A rideshare gives you the price before the car arrives, which helps if you are working to a set budget. A meter gives you no such figure in advance, so the total depends on the trip itself, and you only learn it when you arrive.
Getting the pickup right
An airport trip of this length is worth planning. Open the app early and read where it wants you to meet the driver. Type in the exact destination address so the route and price are correct from the start.
Tell the driver if you have large bags, since the car needs to fit them. If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, book it ahead of time. Pitt Meadows is a smaller centre than the airport, so it is also worth checking in the app that drivers are online before you rely on a later booking. Leave extra time on busy days, because both prices and waits tend to rise when many people are ordering at once.