Uber is a ridesharing company similar to a taxi company that was founded in 2009. It hasn't been around for long, but the company is exploding and it seems like everyone is using Uber right now.
Uber uses a phone app (I LOVE how easy their app is to use) so that passengers can easily find an Uber car for their next ride.
All you do is open the app on your phone and request a ride. You can then see who will be picking you up, how long will take the driver to get to you, and more. It makes finding a ride very easy.
Is Uber more expensive than a taxi?
For the most part, taking an Uber ride is cheaper than taking a regular taxi. You also don't have to tip your Uber driver according to Uber's website (however, I did when I had my Uber ride), which can save you money as well.
However, you do need to watch what kind of Uber car you are taking. UberX will most likely be the cheapest car to take, and taking an UberLUX will be more expensive. This is just like with taking a taxi though. Taxis are cheaper than taking a limo, so the same thought process applies.
What's this stuff about surge pricing?
Lately, Uber has been getting in trouble with customers with their surge pricing. This is where they might charge 2 or 3 times more than the normal fare price because of busier times. This can make the cost of an Uber ride much higher than a normal taxi.
They usually only do this when it's super busy, such as you are taking a ride from a busy football game, after a concert, New Year's Eve, and other busy nights. They do this when there's not enough cars on the rode so that they can keep up with demand.
However, you are always informed beforehand and you will know about the surge before it's too late.
Yes, taking an Uber ride is safe!
Uber screens their drivers with a three-step criminal background check. Uber also provides commercial liability insurance so that you are covered during your ride.
Lastly, you also are safe when it comes to paying your driver. Your driver never actually receives any money from you, as fares are automatically charged to your credit card (the credit card you created your Uber account with).
Differences between the different types of Uber.
There are many types of Uber cars that can pick you up. In general, uberX will be the cheapest option. UberLUX rides are for people who want to class up their taxi ride and travel in style.
uberX – These are cheap! You'll probably get picked up in a car such as a Prius.
uberTAXI – Looks like a "normal" yellow taxi.
UberBLACK – These are nicer cars.
UberSUV – You'll be picked up in an SUV that sit up to 6 people.
UberLUX – These are super nice luxury cars that will pick you up.
If you are looking for other ways to save that are related to this, check out Airbnb. My preferred way to travel is to stay in short-term rental vacation homes such as Airbnb (this is an affiliate link that will give you a $20 Airbnb coupon code for your next stay).
Have you ever taken an Uber ride? Why or why not? Would you ever become an Uber driver for extra money?
P.S. If you are interested in taking an Uber ride, I do have a $20 Uber coupon code. If you want to become an Uber driver, click here.
Nice. I really like the look of Uber, but haven't used them yet.
Can the code by used in the UK as well (for an equivalent £), or is it US only?
I really want to try Uber but unfortunately it's not available in our small city. My cousin tried riding an Uber in Dubai and she told me that she really loved it and the Uber driver was very cool!
You can always use it for when you travel next! 🙂 Uber is not big in my city either.
I have taken it twice with friends and the experience was good. They ask us what music we wanted to listen to and the cars were clean and smoke free (I'm currently in Paris, so I was a bit apprehensive about this point). If it was in my part of Canada, I would use it.
Awesome! Glad you had a good experience.
Thanks for the coupon code! We rarely take taxis or Uber (even though we live in the city), but, we do need to use them if we're going to the airport at an hour when the busses aren't running. I'm wondering if I can use Uber to get to the airport… probably. I'll have to check it out.
Yes I believe you can use it to go the airport. My siser did that the other day for her ride to the Denver airport and had no problem.
@Mrs.Frugalwoods- Here in Seattle, there have been issues with Uber for people getting picked up at the airport, but not so much with getting dropped off. The taxi companies complained about this big time! I am not sure how it is in other parts of the country though!
I live in a small city, so no Uber for me yet. I will consider it when we travel, though.
Yes, it's great for traveling.
I had a great Uber experience too! I helped a friend with wedding favors last weekend and we stayed a little late as we had a few cocktails. 😉 She lives in Astoria, Queens, NY (in northwestern Queens) and I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (south central Brooklyn). There are no major highways connecting that route in it's entirety so it can be a $40-$45 cab ride due to long trip time. With the $30 coupon, I only paid $15 to get home! Best deal ever!
What an interesting concept! I wonder how a person can become an Uber driver?! I'm ready to hook my husband up for a second job! Lol!
We haven't traveled in so long that Uber is something we've never even had the chance to use. It might be something I'd consider. I think that the safety issue would be paramount.
Not until next year, and that's a Disney trip where we're likely going to stay onsite and use the Disney provided transportation.
Uber is very popular here in NYC but I've been hesitant to use it because of safety reasons. I'm probably just paranoid because taxis can be just as sketchy. Might try it out!
Yeah you should try it out!
I was reading on another site of how to be an Uber driver – that's the first time I'd heard of it. Sounds like it could be a great side hustle too!
Yes, it sounds like an interesting side hustle!
The timing of this article worked out great. I'm going to have my girlfriend drop me off at the airport tomorrow way before my flight since she has to go to work after dropping me off. Now I will just use your Uber code and arrive at the airport at a more reasonable time.
My city (Calgary) has some weird rules about taxis that basically give them a monopoly on transportation in the city so Uber hasn't been let in yet. Hoping soon though since the city is so far spread out and taxi rides can get very expensive. For me it is about $90 for a one way taxi ride from my house to the airport. As far as making extra money as a driver, can someone just rent a car for the day and use it to drive people around?
I'm not really sure how becoming a driver works. I'll do some research though!
I've been hearing a lot about Uber – one of my friends works for their customer support team. I've never really had a chance to use them, though. I just don't have a need since I live in the middle of nowhere and have my own car. If I ever found myself in a city without my car, though, I might give it a try.
I like the idea of Uber and am happy that you had a good experience with it.
A customer and I were leaving a trade show in Chicago and decided to skip the taxi line and use Uber. Although the ride was a lot cheaper, payment was easy and the car was clean, it wasn't a pleasant ride. The driver was on speaker phone with someone who was clearly at some sort of speech (not in English) and they kept losing the call so he'd call back. I had a headache by the end of our short ride.
I'm always iffy about getting in the car with a stranger by myself, but I'd definitely give it another chance if I'm traveling with someone.
That's weird that he would be on a phone call when Uber I'm pretty sure runs on a rating system. He must not have been very smart!
Hello! I stumbled upon this article when deciding to take an uber to Disney's Magical kingdom this summer. It will be my first time using uber, so I appreciate you giving your uber code for us! It will come in handy when we travel to an amusement park this summer in Orlando!
Great insightful article! Uber has an amazing promotion! I took my first ride today from Boon Lay to NUS and paid only $3. Seamless!