Uber in Germany
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SMF, SNA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, IHG Diamond
Posts: 175
Uber in Germany
Hi all,
Any feedback or experiences with Uber car service in Germany? I've only used them in the US but will be traveling to Munich and Frankfurt soon, and would like to know how it went for you? Was the phone app easy to use, no language issues, etc? Thanks for any tips and suggestions!
Any feedback or experiences with Uber car service in Germany? I've only used them in the US but will be traveling to Munich and Frankfurt soon, and would like to know how it went for you? Was the phone app easy to use, no language issues, etc? Thanks for any tips and suggestions!
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Karlsruhe / Germany
Programs: BahnCard Comfort, Bahn Bonus, Enrich Blue
Posts: 327
They're in deep trouble with authorities in Germany because their drivers are neither trained, licensed, insured nor paid properly and they do not meet neither security nor business regulations. All this is no recommendation to ever use them. Their services are currently banned, the final court decision is to be expected.
#5
They announced to ignore the court-order today. Could be funny in the future.... As they seem to send you under circumstances totally unlicenced vehicles in Germany, I would never use it.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,376
I think Uber in the USA makes perfectly sense. Taxi service in most cities the US is horrible. I lived in San Francisco for six months and I have never seen such an unreliable, disorganized and mismanaged taxi service ever. Even in Kuala Lumpur or Saigon the service was better and more reliable.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SMF, SNA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, IHG Diamond
Posts: 175
They're in deep trouble with authorities in Germany because their drivers are neither trained, licensed, insured nor paid properly and they do not meet neither security nor business regulations. All this is no recommendation to ever use them. Their services are currently banned, the final court decision is to be expected.
I think Uber in the USA makes perfectly sense. Taxi service in most cities the US is horrible. I lived in San Francisco for six months and I have never seen such an unreliable, disorganized and mismanaged taxi service ever. Even in Kuala Lumpur or Saigon the service was better and more reliable.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
#8
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson
Posts: 5,945
Current second level court ruling forbids Uber service in Germany and places a penalty of up to 250.000 euro per single case of breach. That despite this ruling Uber still operates in Germany is mind bogling IMO...
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I just used Uber Black in Netherlands and contrary to some of the misinformation posted here, Uber Black drivers are licensed and have insurance. It's Uber X/Uber Pop cars that you have to be concerned about. The experience that I had with Black was fantastic & I'll use it exclusively in any city that has it in the future. One of the Black drivers told me that he has a regular taxi service and he makes a lot more money driving Uber fares than his regular service. 80% of his business now comes from Uber and he is extremely happy with the money he makes from them.
To those of you who say that you would never use Uber, how many times have you used Black?
To those of you who say that you would never use Uber, how many times have you used Black?
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,376
UberBlack:
Initial fare: 4,50
Fare: 0,40 per minute plus 1,15 per km
Minimum Fare: 9
Taxi:
Initial fare: 2,80 (6am-10pm) 3,30 (10pm-6am)
Fare (6am-10pm): 1,75 up to 12km, 1,60 from 12 to 20km, 1,55 from 21km
Fare (10pm-6am): 1,85 up to 12km, 1,75 from 12 to 20km, 1,70 from 21km
Example calculation:
Drive from Westin Frankfurt to the airport. According to Googlemaps 12km and 20 minutes.
UberBlack: 26,30
Taxi (6am-10pm): 23,80
Taxi (10pm-6am): 25,50
Result: Taxi is cheaper unless the UberBlack driver drives like crazy and gets you there under 18minutes.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I always find it fascinating when people criticize something, i.e., a product or service such as UberBlack, without having any direct, real world experience with it.
The 2.50 maximum difference & .80 minimum difference that was pointed out is insignificant to me, especially in light of the great service I experienced with UberBlack. Even with the "higher" cost differential, I would choose Uber.
Still waiting to hear from someone with actual experience with UberBlack in Germany or Europe.
The 2.50 maximum difference & .80 minimum difference that was pointed out is insignificant to me, especially in light of the great service I experienced with UberBlack. Even with the "higher" cost differential, I would choose Uber.
Still waiting to hear from someone with actual experience with UberBlack in Germany or Europe.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I think Uber in the USA makes perfectly sense. Taxi service in most cities the US is horrible. I lived in San Francisco for six months and I have never seen such an unreliable, disorganized and mismanaged taxi service ever. Even in Kuala Lumpur or Saigon the service was better and more reliable.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
In Germany the taxi service is well regulated and in the upper most cases very efficient. With the introduction of the very very good MyTaxi App it even entered the 21st century.
I addition you as a guest have certain rights when using a licensed taxi and you are insured when on board a taxi. With Uber it is just between you and the driver and god knows what happens if you get hurt in an accident.
To answer LR2013 question. If you are looking for a service you can order via an app take a look at the mytaxi app which is available for iOS and Android.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
An amusingly rhetorical question, however, to put a cap on it - Whatever floats your boat, or in this case, taxi. There are always choices to be made in life.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
Programs: Disillusioned Cent
Posts: 1,880
Uber in Germany
I've never used Uber in Germany and I'd be interested in getting feedback from recent users. I tried to use it in Hamburg two weeks ago, but the car took forever to show up and I subsequently cancelled it. I tried it repeatedly but it was always the same problem. I'd like to use them this weekend at MUC airport, but I'm wondering if I'll encounter the same issues.