Uber or taxi?
 

I have a flight coming up (actually in a while) from IAD-SFO leaving at 6 a.m. I figure that I should get to IAD by 4:30 (may have luggage to check since I am going onward to KIX).

I haven't used Uber yet, though I am registered. Is 4 a.m. too early to get an Uber car from Potomac to IAD (it's a Monday morning)? Should I take a taxi instead? Thanks for any help.

As far as I know, it's never too early to take Uber, and that's my recommendation. The upside is that you can see where cars are and how long they will take to get to you.

I have no experience but I would not count on there being a close car at that hour. The only way to be certain is to check it out on another weekday at 4 am. Uber is not a bargain either if you are relatively close like Potomac, so I would do Washington Flyer. If you get a black car then it will be a lot more than a cab. With UberX the guy might pull up in a Honda Civic.

I would seriously not get their earlier than a few minutes before 5 am if you are checking bags and have Pre-Check.

From Potomac at that time I would book a Red Top Sedan (not a Red Top Taxi). It will be more than Uber or a taxi, but in that location at that time, you may have real trouble finding someone either.

I've never had a problem getting an Uber that early to go to the airport (BWI and IAD), but I also live in Logan Circle. Not sure what availability would be like out in Potomac.

Thanks folks. If anyone has any experience in this area with Uber, please post. Otherwise it might be risky. The problem with a test is that I would have to get up before 4 to check this out and am not sure that I want to try this out.

I am in the far NW corner of DC, nearly in MD, far from the action, and I rarely have trouble getting an Uber to DCA at 0330 or 0400. My usual wait time is roughly 10 minutes. For IAD, though, I'd probably just arrange a car service the day before.

The inability "reserve" (e.g. in advance) a car is the problem with Uber, Lyft, etc, IMHO. If you "risk it" and get up at 3 am, 4 am and see there are no Uber/Lyft cars nearby or too long a time away, you're potentially S.O.L. calling a cab or car service b/c it may be too late to get one of the latter. If, as a backup, you reserve a WashFlyer, cab or car service and wake up and see Uber acceptably close and take the Uber, you screw the WashFlyer driver, cabbie or car service driver. Cost of doing business for these three? Yes. But still. I little jerk-ish, IMHO.

I've also found WashFlyer to be very accommodating if you request a large vehicle or SUV. Although admittedly you have only one bag. I've often traveled (as family) with 12+ medium- large-sized bags, car seats, pram, etc. and WashFlyer has never let me down. I've never met more chill drivers than WashFlyer (confident b/c they have a monopoly?). Even in the most hectic travel situations, they have always managed to drop my blood pressure to near acceptable levels.

As an aside, about 1-2x per week, I (or Ms. jsnydcsa) use cabs in NoVa (the major brands such as RedTop, Yellow Top) and Washington Flyer for early morning rides to DCA, IAD and Union Station. Statistically, as one might imagine, we've had problems (late car, surly driver, credit card issues). Unlike Uber, I'm able to speak to real live people who, eventually, resolve the situation and, if they don't they know there are regulatory authorities watching over them (though it's never gotten that far for us). When a ride goes well, I make a point of telling the driver, please let Mr. ______ (usually a manager I've recently dealt with) the ride went well. The driver's appreciate it. I'll take that rather than online-only contact system with Uber (strange that every time there's a problem with Uber reported in the press, there's a near instant reaction from them casting blame elsewhere, or saying "don't worry, we're working on that"). There's not even an online chat system with Uber.

Rant. Over.

Call and reserve a cab or WashFlyer.

Which is all why I recomend booking Red Top Executive Sedan. Town car with driver, never late other than in the middle of natural disaster, always polite and you don't need to worry. A bit more than a taxi, but peace of mind is worth it at that time of day.

Uber is great 99% of the time, but at that time of day and in that area, it may be iffy and made more iffy with any weather.

Taxi, even when booked, is not dispatched until shortly before the call time. If there's nobody accepting the call, you don't get a taxi.

Thanks everyone. Turns out that I will have a better solution. My wife was planning on going away before my flight(s). But she has just changed her plans and won't be going after all. So I have guaranteed transportation at a good rate and I know the service will be excellent. But I appreciate the advice and will keep it in mind if I travel again when I need transportation to IAD.

The opportunity to say so many funny things is there. But, I can't see the keyboard through the tears of laughter.