On the way from YVR Airport to UBC, a standard rideshare usually comes in about $5 under a metered taxi: roughly $29 against roughly $34. The distance is 14 km and the drive takes about 25 minutes. At normal demand the rideshare range is $26 to $34, so the top of that range matches the taxi estimate.
What the rideshare price is made of
We worked these prices out from average rates, so they are estimates and not Uber’s own figures. The sum is a base fare of $2.50, plus $1.15 per km, plus $0.35 per minute, multiplied by a demand factor, with a $2 booking fee added at the end. For 14 km and 25 minutes the first part is $27.35, and the booking fee takes it to about $29.
When demand goes up
A busy period (1.2 times) lifts the estimate to about $35. When it is very busy (1.5 times) expect about $43, and at peak demand (2 times) about $57. Because the multiplier is applied before the booking fee, the jump is a little less than doubling. The Uber app shows the real upfront price before you confirm, and that number is the one to trust.
Larger vehicles
Comfort is about $36 and XL, which seats up to six, is about $42. Premier is about $64. If your group has several suitcases, XL may be easier than hoping everything fits in a standard car.
Taxi fares and planning the pickup
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both publish a flag fee of $3.75 and a rate of $2.18 per km. For 14 km that puts the meter near $34 with either company. Waiting time and extras are not counted in that figure, so the final fare can end up higher.
To book by phone, Vancouver Taxi is on 604-871-1111 and Yellow Cab Vancouver is on 604-681-1111. Both are listed as wheelchair accessible and as handling airport rides.
Since you are starting at an airport, open the app after landing and follow its pickup instructions, then confirm the destination address with the driver. A university is a large place, so give the exact building or street address you want instead of only the campus name, and send the driver a message in the app if you need to explain where to stop. Allow extra time if you are heading to a class, an appointment or a check in, because 25 minutes is an average and busy hours can add to it.