by Ho Ching Lam | March 28th, 2021
Whether you are visiting Vancouver for the first time or were born and raised in the city, calculating and planning your taxi fare in advance can be a complicating task. To help simplify the preparation required before your next taxi ride in Vancouver, we came up with the following comprehensive guide.
Taxi fare in Vancouver usually varies based on the route taken, the time of day, and the street’s traffic. For example, traveling to Stanley Park from the same location will cost you more when there is a high level of congestion compared to when there is not.
According to British Columbia’s Passenger Transportation Board, all taxi operators in metro Vancouver must charge the same meter rate as regulated by the board unless the cab is picking up passengers from the Vancouver International Airport, which charges based on a zone system.
Within the City of Vancouver, regulated and licensed taxis should charge according to the following table:
| Flag Rate | $ 3.35 |
| Distance (Per Kilometer) | $ 1.93 |
| Wait Time (Per Hour) | $ 34.46 |
* Prices are listed as Canadian dollars.
Flag rate: the initial fee charged when your taxi ride begins. The $3.35 flag rate is applicable for the first 51.92 metres of your journey.
Distance rate: the fare charged per kilometer travelled by your taxi. After the initial 51.92 metres, the Vancouver taxi rate will increase by $0.10 for each additional 51.92 metres covered by your ride.
Wait time rate: the fare charged when the taxi is either moving very slowly or is standing still for reasons, such as heavy traffic. The $34.46 hourly rate is equivalent to approximately $0.57 per minute.
Vancouver taxi rates for popular destination
| FROM | TO | APPROX. FARE |
| Downtown Vancouver | Abbotsford Airport Aldergrove Chilliwack Cloverdale Coquitlam Crescent Beach Cultus Lake Deep Cove Eagle Harbour Grouse Mountain Haney Harrison Hope Horseshoe Bay Ioco Ladner Langley Maple Ridge Metrotown Mission Newton New-Westminster Penticton PNE Port Moody SFU Sardis Scottsdale Squamish Steveston Tsawwassen Tsawwassen (Ferry Terminal) UBC Whalley Whistler White Rock Queensborough Richmond Centre |
$127.00 $40.00 $110.00 $190.00 $74.00 $55.00 $86.00 $191.00 $26.00 $53.00 $36.00 $85.00 $247.00 $287.00 $56.00 $68.00 $54.00 $83.00 $89.00 $20.00 $149.00 $74.00 $32.00 $757.00 $5.00 $31.00 $24.00 $189.00 $62.00 $138.00 $55.00 $69.00 $76.00 $38.00 $57.00 $248.00 $106.00 $38.00 $41.00 |
* Taxi fares listed on the table above are estimates and might vary dependent on traffic condition and other unforeseeable factors. Black Top & Checker Cab is unable to guarantee that you will be charged the approximated fare.
Vancouver taxi rate at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Unlike the rest of Metro Vancouver, where meter rates are applied, taxis picking up passengers from the YVR follows a zone fare system. Any destination within the same-coloured zone will be charged the same rate until one or more passenger(s) disembark from the vehicle. When the first group of passengers have arrived, the meter rate will begin to apply for the destination(s) after. If the additional stop requested is situated in a different zone, a $5 cad fee will apply.
The zone rate boundaries map
*Source: The Passenger Transportation Board
Note on gratuities
The taxi rate outlined above does not include any tips. So, if you have had a great ride and/or your cab driver was helpful with your luggage, we do recommend offering a 10% – 20% tip to express your gratitude.
