The Best Rideshare & Taxi Apps
Ride-hailing apps make getting around a new city simple, with upfront prices and no language barrier. Uber is not everywhere: Grab rules Southeast Asia, Bolt much of Europe and Africa, and DiDi parts of Latin America and China. Download the local app before you land and link a card so you are ready at the airport.
Which ride-hailing app works in which country?
Uber operates in more than 70 countries, but it is not the leader everywhere. Grab dominates Southeast Asia, Bolt is often cheaper across Europe and Africa, Careem is the main app in the Middle East, Ola covers India including auto-rickshaws, DiDi leads in China and parts of Latin America, and Cabify is popular in Spain and Latin America. Lyft covers the US and Canada. Download the local app before you land so you can book a ride straight from the airport.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi?
Usually, though not always. Ride-hailing apps show the price upfront, avoid language barriers and remove the risk of a taxi taking the long way round. In some cities, licensed taxis booked through apps like FREENOW are similarly priced and can use bus lanes. During surge pricing at busy times, a regular metered taxi can be cheaper, so compare.
Is it safe to use ride-hailing apps abroad?
Generally yes, and often safer than hailing a cab on the street, since every trip is tracked and the driver is identified. Match the number plate and driver photo before getting in, share your trip with a friend, and sit in the back. Some airports and countries restrict ride-hailing pickups, so check where the designated pickup area is.
What about long-distance ride sharing?
BlaBlaCar connects drivers with empty seats to passengers going the same way, splitting fuel costs. It is popular across Europe and Latin America and is often cheaper and faster than the bus for routes not served by trains, with the bonus of meeting locals.
Tips for getting around by app
- Add a payment card in advance; some apps need a local phone number to verify.
- Check whether cash is preferred, as it is in parts of Asia and Latin America.
- Use motorbike taxi options like GrabBike and Gojek to beat traffic in Asian cities.
- Agree the fare first if you take an unmetered taxi.