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Vancouver Taxi

Vancouver Taxi General Information and Tips

TRAINED DRIVERS

Hand picked & english speaking drivers

LOW PRICES

Same price as a regular Taxi from the line

FLIGHT MONITORING

Drivers are always on time

QUALITY SUPPORT

24/7 Email & Phone support

Getting a taxi in Vancouver

Though Vancouver is known for having the lowest concentration of taxis per capita of any major Canadian city, it’s still one of the best ways to get around the city — especially if you’re not local. If you’re traveling late at night, taking a Vancouver taxi is also one of the safest ways to go. You can hail a taxi from the street, though it can be challenging. It’s easier to walk to one of the city’s many taxi ranks or use a Vancouver taxi app. 

The famous yellow taxi in Vancouver can typically seat up to four passengers. Minivans are usually only available on request if you require a larger vehicle. They are easily recognizable due to their bright color and white “TAXI” sign. By law, taxis in Vancouver use taximeters to calculate their final fares.

TRAINED DRIVERS

Hand picked & english speaking drivers

LOW PRICES

Same price as a regular Taxi from the line

FLIGHT MONITORING

Drivers are always on time

QUALITY SUPPORT

24/7 Email & Phone support

How much does a taxi cost?

Taxi prices Day time
(05:00 - 24:00)
Night time
(00:00 - 05:00)
Duration
FROM YVR TO DOWNTOWN 27 € 27 € 30 MIN
FROM YVR TO FERRY TERMINAL 41 € 41 € 30 MIN
FROM YVR TO STANLEY PARK 27 € 27 € 23 MIN
FROM YVR TO KITSILANO 22 € 22 € 20 MIN
A yellow taxi cab on the street in Vancouver Canada

Vancouver Taxi Prices

Vancouver taxis are required by law to use a taximeter to calculate their fares, which means no negotiations are possible. Moreover, only one tariff is available as there is no weekend or night fare. 

Here is a guide to Vancouver taxi rates:

Initial fee: €2.30 (CAD 3.35)

Each Additional km: €1.33 (CAD 1.93)

Waiting time per hour: €23.70 (CAD 34.46)

Despite most Vancouver taxis using taximeters across the city, Vancouver Airport taxis offer fixed fares to popular destinations such as downtown.

Surcharges

If you are traveling from the airport, you will be subjected to an airport toll fee of €2 (CAD 3) which will be added to your final fare. 

To give you some estimated fares, a taxi from Vancouver Airport to downtown will cost around €27 (CAD 41) whereas a taxi from downtown to Richmond Center will likely cost €15 (CAD 23).

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How to get a taxi in Vancouver

Although many taxi companies operate in and around the city of Vancouver, there is only 1 taxi for every 4000 residents, making hailing a taxi straight from the city streets challenging. Thus, if you can’t find a taxi free to hail, you can head over to popular spots in downtown Vancouver, such as Granville Street, Gastown, Chinatown or at any major hotel with taxi stands; here you will more likely find a free Vancouver cab. However, you can also call ahead and book a taxi through a company’s website, or you can use the “eCab” mobile application.

How to get a taxi from Vancouver Airport

If you’re arriving at North Terminal, the taxis are available from Level 2 at International Arrivals and Level 2 at Domestic Arrivals. For South Terminal passengers, head to the taxi stand located outside of the terminal building.

How to get a taxi from Vancouver Train Station

To get a taxi from Vancouver, BC Train station — also known as Pacific Central Station — leave the building from the main exit and you’ll see the line of taxis immediately outside. During busy periods, there can be a long wait for an available taxi. In this case, it’s best to call a Vancouver taxi number or book a transfer in advance.  

How to get a taxi from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal

The easiest way to get a taxi from the Port is to call a taxi number or hail one on demand via an app. Though some taxis wait by the ferry port, the best way to ensure availability is to book a cab in advance.

Most popular Vancouver taxi apps

Uber, Lyft, KABU, and eCab are the most popular taxi apps in Vancouver. They can be easier to use if you’re having trouble hailing an available cab on the street. The primary issue is that taxi app drivers are not as highly regulated as official taxi drivers. Therefore, there’s a huge variation in service. During busier periods, you may also be subject to surge pricing.

Instead of relying on taxi apps, you can pre-book your taxi with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups. Arranging a Vancouver Airport transfer in advance might be the smoother choice if you want hassle-free travel across the city at a fixed cost.

Useful Vancouver taxi numbers

If you’re looking for a reliable taxi Vancouver number, here are some great options:

Black Top & Checker Cabs: +1 (604) 731 1111
Maclure’s: +1 (604) 831 1111
Vancouver Taxi: +1 (604) 871 1111
Yellow Cabs: +1 (604) 681 1111
Pacific Cabs: +1 (604) 596 6666
Garden City Cabs: +1 (604) 233 1111
Richmond Taxi: +1 (604) 272 1111

Some of these taxi companies have online booking forms too if that’s more convenient.

Benefits of booking a Vancouver taxi in advance

Arriving in a new city and having to find your way around town can be daunting, especially if you are traveling with children. Knowing that your private taxi cab is waiting for you at a set time, in a set location, and at a fixed price, with no hidden fees is a great feeling.

Going further, Vancouver taxis are known to be hard to find as there are only a few in town. That is why it is highly recommended to book a Vancouver Airport transfer in advance. Not only will you be avoiding surcharges, high fees, and long waits, but you will also have a friendly, local, and highly trained driver waiting for you at the location of your choice if you book your Vancouver transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Vancouver taxi tips

  1. All taxis in Vancouver have card machines but it is advised to inform your driver that you wish to pay by card before starting your ride.
  2. It is expected to give your cab driver a 10-20% tip. However, if the service was below average, you can simply round up the price to the nearest dollar or ask them to keep the change.
  3. There is an airport toll of €2 (CAD 3) when leaving Vancouver International Airport, payable by the passenger.
  4. Vancouver taxi fares are metered; it is important that your taxi driver resets their taximeter and that it is turned on before starting your journey.
  5. Finding a taxi in Vancouver is much easier if you head to one of the main taxi stands near Granville Street, Gastown, Chinatown or at any major hotel.
  6. Baby seats are not included as standard. If you call a taxi in advance, they may be able to arrange one. Otherwise, it’s best to bring your own.
  7. All payments must be made in the local currency — Canadian Dollars.
  8. You are entitled to a receipt from your taxi driver if you request one.
  9. If you require an adapted vehicle for a wheelchair user, we recommend contacting one of the airport taxi companies like Richmond Taxi, Garden City Cabs, or Maclure’s Cabs. These companies have plenty of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleet.
  10. Though language barriers are rarely an issue in Vancouver, you may want to write down your destination’s address to show your driver to aid with communication. Most taxi drivers in Vancouver speak English and French.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Vancouver

Unfortunately, regular Vancouver taxis cannot facilitate wheelchairs or mobile scooters; for that reason, you will need to call a private company in advance, like Maclure’s Cabs, and book a specialized vehicle.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are readily available from Vancouver Airport and the train station. You can also contact staff for assistance in arranging specialized transport.

Vancouver taxi safety and complaints

If your Vancouver taxi service wasn’t as you expected and your experience was bad, you can ask your driver for a receipt in order to get their taxi number and contact the service provider (taxi company).

Alternatively, you can also phone the agency at +1 (888) 564 9963. Consumer Protection BC will then review the complaint, respond to you, and refer the case to the appropriate body to address it. Or, you can directly email the Passenger Transportation Branch at [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

How do you call a taxi in Vancouver?

The easiest way to call a taxi in Vancouver is to use one of the official trusted Vancouver taxi numbers such as Garden City Cabs (+1 604 233 1111) or Richmond Taxi (+1 604 272 1111). Apps like Uber and Lyft also operate in the city.

What is the most popular taxi in Vancouver?

The most popular taxi in Vancouver is the famous yellow cab. These official taxis offer fair rates and a friendly reliable service.

Is it hard to get a taxi in Vancouver?

It can be hard to get a taxi in Vancouver because there are so few taxis per capita. However, there are some strategic locations where you’ll find plenty of taxis, such as  Granville Street, Gastown, Chinatown, or at any major hotel.

Do you tip taxis in Vancouver?

Yes, it is customary to tip your Vancouver taxi driver. The typical rate is 10-20% of your fare.

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