How to Use Ride-Sharing Apps Abroad
Ride-sharing apps can make getting around much easier when you’re travelling. I find them especially useful after a long flight.
They’re also helpful when I’m carrying luggage or when public transport doesn’t take me close enough to where I’m staying.
Ride-sharing apps don’t work the same way in every destination. The app you usually use may not be available where you’re travelling. Uber, Grab, Bolt and other ride-hailing services operate in different places. Payment methods, airport pickups and local rules can also vary.
Ride-Sharing Apps Around the World
The best app to use depends on where you’re travelling. Uber is available in many countries, but it isn’t always the main option. Regional services can have more drivers or better coverage in some destinations.
Look up the most commonly used apps before your trip. Having more than one reliable option can also be useful when fares are high, or drivers are limited.
Uber
Uber has one of the largest international networks. It’s available across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You’ll also find it in many parts of Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Despite its wide coverage, Uber isn’t available everywhere. Another service may also be more commonly used in the city you’re visiting.
Grab
Grab is one of the main ride-hailing apps in Southeast Asia. It’s available in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. You can also use it in Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Grab operates beyond the major capitals and tourist cities. Available services can vary depending on your location.
Bolt
Bolt has a strong presence across Europe and also operates in parts of Africa. It’s available in hundreds of cities, including many popular travel destinations.
Some destinations have both Bolt and Uber. Having both apps can be useful when comparing fares or waiting times.
FREE NOW
FREE NOW is another service you may come across in Europe. It’s available in countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Greece. You can also use it in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria and Poland.
The app is particularly useful for booking taxis in participating cities. Other ride options may also be available depending on the location.
Cabify
Cabify operates in Spain and several countries in Latin America. These include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay.
It may operate alongside Uber or other services in some cities. This gives you another option when comparing fares and availability.
DiDi
DiDi is a major ride-hailing service with a particularly strong presence in China. It has also expanded into several other markets, including parts of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Availability differs considerably by country. Look up the local service before downloading the app for your trip.
Careem
Across parts of the Middle East, Careem is a popular option for booking rides. It can be a useful alternative to other international ride-hailing services.
For travellers, it can be particularly useful in destinations where Careem is already widely used for local transport.
Set Up Your Account Before You Travel
Download the app and set up your account while you still have reliable internet access. This gives you time to deal with verification and payment details before you need to book a ride.
Some apps also need access to your location or may ask you to confirm your mobile number. Getting everything ready in advance can save time after you arrive.
Complete Any Verification
Some apps use SMS to verify your mobile number. Receiving the code can be more difficult after changing SIMs. You may also have trouble if your usual number is turned off or you don’t have roaming.
Complete any required verification before travelling if possible. This is especially useful if you plan to use a different SIM during your trip.
Add a Payment Method
Payment options vary between apps and destinations. You may be able to pay by debit or credit card, cash, or a digital wallet.
Add your preferred payment method before you need your first ride. If you’re using a card, make sure it can be used overseas. Your bank may also charge a foreign transaction fee.
Cash is available as a payment option with some services and in certain destinations. If you plan to use it, make sure you have enough local currency for the journey.
Understand the Local Currency
Ride fares are usually displayed in the local currency. When you’ve just arrived somewhere new, it may take a little time to get used to the exchange rate.
Knowing the approximate conversion can help you understand how much a ride will actually cost. This is particularly useful for airport transfers and longer journeys.
You don’t need to calculate every fare exactly. A rough conversion is usually enough to tell if the price is around what you expected.
Make Sure You Have Mobile Data
A ride-sharing app is only useful if you can stay connected. You’ll normally need data to request a ride and see where the driver is. You’ll also need it to receive messages or updates about the pickup location.
Airport or hotel Wi-Fi may be enough to make the booking. However, the connection can disappear once you walk outside. If the driver messages you after you’ve left the building, you need mobile data to see it.
Roaming, a local SIM or an eSIM can all give you mobile data while travelling. Having it ready before you arrive is especially useful if you plan to use a ride-sharing app at the airport.
Choose the Right Pickup Location
Don’t automatically accept the pickup point selected by your phone. GPS can place you on the wrong side of the road. It may also show another entrance or somewhere around the corner.
Take a moment to look at the map before booking. Being in the right place can save you and the driver time trying to find each other.
Large Hotels, Stations and Shopping Centres
Large buildings often have several entrances. Some also have designated areas for taxis and ride-sharing vehicles.
Zoom in on the map before confirming your ride. Make sure the street, entrance number, or pickup zone matches where you’re waiting.
If the app lets you add a note, keep it specific. An entrance number, hotel lobby, or clearly marked meeting point can make you easier to find.
Designated Pickup Areas
In busy areas, the closest location may not be somewhere your driver can stop. Bus lanes, restricted roads, and heavy traffic can affect where drivers are able to stop.
You may be directed to a meeting area a short walk away. Follow the location shown in the app rather than automatically moving the pin closer.
Using Ride-Sharing Apps at Airports
Airports can have different arrangements for ride-sharing pickups. Some have dedicated zones for app-based rides. Others use a particular terminal level, car park, bay, or transport area.
Your driver may not be able to pick you up directly outside arrivals. Follow the directions in the app and look for airport signs showing where ride-sharing pickups are located.
Request Your Ride When You're Ready
Collect your luggage before requesting the car. If needed, make your way towards the designated pickup area first.
Immigration queues and baggage delays can be difficult to predict. Drivers may also have limited waiting time at airports.
Before booking, make sure you’re at the correct terminal, floor, door, or bay shown in the app.
Airport Surcharges and Access Fees
Airport rides can include surcharges, tolls or access fees. These can make the fare higher than an ordinary city journey.
Review the fare details if the price is higher than expected. It’s also worth comparing the cost with the official taxi rank, airport shuttle, or a pre-booked transfer.
Ride-sharing can be convenient, but it isn’t always the best choice at every airport.
Confirm the Driver and Vehicle
When the car arrives, compare it with the booking shown in the app. Make sure the vehicle and driver details match before getting in.
Match the Booking Details
Use the information shown in the app to identify the correct vehicle:
- Driver’s name and photo, if shown
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle colour
- Registration or licence plate
The registration or licence plate is usually the quickest detail to confirm. If the vehicle doesn’t match the booking, don’t get in. Contact the assigned driver through the app instead.
Use the App's Safety Features
Safety features vary by service and location. These may include trip sharing, PIN verification, and an emergency or assistance button.
Take a moment to see what’s available before your first ride. This way, you’ll know where to find the features if you need them later.
If you’re travelling alone or taking a late ride, you can also share your trip with someone you trust. Depending on the app, they may be able to see your vehicle details, location, and journey progress.
Review the Fare Before Booking
Ride-sharing prices aren’t always the same for a similar journey. The amount can change depending on demand, traffic, and distance. Your choice of vehicle can also affect the price.
Before confirming the ride, look at the fare or estimate shown in the app. This gives you a chance to compare your options before booking.
Higher Prices During Busy Times
Fares can rise when more people are requesting rides. This often happens during peak travel times, large events, or bad weather. Busy airports can also have periods when prices are higher.
If the fare seems unusually expensive, you don’t necessarily have to book straight away. Compare another ride-sharing app or wait until the busiest period has passed if you have time.
Vehicle Type and Fare
The vehicle you choose can make a noticeable difference to the price. A standard car will usually cost less than a larger vehicle or a higher category offered by the app.
Think about what you actually need before choosing. A larger vehicle may be worth the additional cost when you’re travelling as a group or carrying several suitcases.
Tolls, Airport Fees and Other Charges
The price shown at the beginning may not always be the final amount. Tolls, airport fees and waiting time can add to the cost. Changes made during the journey may affect it as well.
If the final fare differs from the original estimate, look at the breakdown in the app. You should be able to see which additional charges were included.
Compare Longer Journeys With Other Transport
Ride-sharing can become expensive over longer distances. Before booking a long transfer, compare the fare with other transport options.
A train, licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer may cost less. A direct ride may still be more convenient, especially when you’re carrying luggage or travelling with other people.
Communicating With Your Driver
Having your destination already entered in the app can make the journey easier, especially if you don’t speak the local language or aren’t sure how to pronounce an address.
You may still need to message or call the driver at pickup. A short message with your hotel name, entrance number or pickup bay can make it easier to find each other.
Make sure the destination shown in the app is the right one. Hotels, stations, restaurants and attractions can have similar names, and some have more than one location.
For apartments, guesthouses or addresses that may be harder to find, save the full address on your phone. Keeping a copy that you can access offline is also useful if you lose your connection.
Follow the Route in the App
Most apps let you follow the journey on a map. The driver may not follow the suggested route exactly. Traffic, road closures, one-way streets, and local restrictions can affect the route.
Following the map can still help you notice if the wrong destination has been entered. It can also help you spot an unexpected change in direction.
If something doesn’t seem right, ask the driver about it. If you feel unsafe, use the safety options available in the app. Contact local emergency services when necessary.
Travelling With Luggage or Children
The cheapest vehicle category isn’t always the most practical. Luggage, pushchairs and the size of your group can make a standard car unsuitable.
Choose a Vehicle With Enough Space
A standard car may have enough seats but not enough boot space for several large suitcases. Look at the vehicle options before booking, especially if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage.
Choosing a larger option may cost more, but it can save you having to cancel and book another car when the driver arrives.
Child Seats and Local Requirements
Child seats aren’t available with every ride, and the rules can vary depending on where you’re travelling. Some services offer vehicles with child seats in certain locations, while others don’t provide them at all.
You may need to bring an appropriate restraint or arrange a transfer that provides one. Look up the local requirements before your trip, then see what options the ride-sharing service offers in that destination.
When Ride-Sharing Isn't the Best Option
Ride-sharing is useful, but it won’t suit every journey. Driver availability can be limited late at night or early in the morning. It may also be harder to find a ride during bad weather or outside major cities.
Public transport may be faster in some places. An official taxi or pre-booked transfer may also be easier if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling as a group.
For a flight, train or another time-sensitive journey, it’s worth having another option in mind rather than relying on finding a driver at the last minute. A licensed taxi or hotel transfer can be a useful alternative. Airport shuttles, public transport and pre-booked private transfers are also worth considering.
You can find more transport options in How to Get Around Without a Car.
Before Booking a Ride
Once you’ve used ride-sharing apps a few times, booking becomes fairly quick. When you’re somewhere unfamiliar, these are the main details worth confirming:
- Make sure the service operates where you’re visiting.
- Confirm that the pickup pin shows the right location.
- Review the destination and address before booking.
- Have your payment method ready to use.
- Choose a vehicle with enough space for your group and luggage.
- Look at the fare before confirming your ride.
- Know where to go for an airport pickup, if required.
- Match the vehicle and registration details with your booking.
- Have another transport option for time-sensitive journeys.
Ride-sharing apps can make getting around somewhere new much easier. They don’t work the same way in every destination. Knowing which service to use and how local payments and pickups work leaves you with less to figure out once you arrive.
I love exploring new places and sharing the travel tips, food finds, and experiences that help you plan your next adventure.
Join the
Journey
Sign up for new itineraries, travel notes, and practical guides to help you explore the places I love most.
I love exploring new places and sharing the travel tips, food finds, and experiences that help you plan your next adventure.
Join the
Journey
Sign up for new itineraries, travel notes, and practical guides to help you explore the places I love most.
