How much is an Uber from YVR Airport to Royal Columbian Hospital? About $47 at normal demand, with a likely range of $42 to $55. The distance is 25 km and the drive takes about 40 minutes.
That is our estimate from average rates, not Uber’s own price. The Uber app shows the real upfront price before you confirm.
Where the $47 comes from
The calculation uses a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km and $0.35 per minute. Twenty five km adds $28.75 and 40 minutes adds $14, so the metered part is $45.25. A $2 booking fee makes about $47.
Because this is a longer trip, demand matters more in dollars. A busy period (x1.2) brings the fare to about $56. Very busy (x1.5) is about $70, and peak (x2) is about $93.
Comfort is about $59, XL with up to 6 seats is about $68, and Premier is about $104. XL costs $21 more than the standard fare here, which can be worth splitting if you travel with others.
Taxi fare and trip tips
The published tariff for Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi is a $3.75 flag fee with $2.18 added per km. Over 25 km the meter would come to about $58. Waiting time and extras are not included, so the final bill may be higher.
At normal demand the rideshare estimate is roughly $11 below the meter. At busy or higher levels the gap closes, and at peak the taxi would cost less.
A few things help on a trip this long:
- Check the pickup spot in the app before you leave the terminal.
- Give the driver the exact hospital address or entrance.
- Ask whether your luggage fits, and request XL if it may not.
- Book an accessible vehicle ahead if you need one.
Leave extra time at peak hours, because a 40 minute drive can stretch when many people are on the road, and the price can rise at the same time.
Since the fare is higher on a long trip, it helps to know the rest of the range before you book. The $42 low end is what you might see when drivers are plentiful, while $55 is still a normal outcome at ordinary demand. Anything beyond that means the app has moved into a higher demand level. Seeing that, you can decide whether to wait or to phone a taxi company for a quote instead.