Using Uber while abroad
#181
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
I have taken Uber to go between Denmark and Sweden. It's not unusual for taxis to go between these countries. Much the same goes for trips between Vienna and Bratislava.
#182
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oslo
Programs: SK*D; Accor & Starwood Plat
Posts: 82
I have recently been using extensively while traveling in Asia and Europe, following experiences:
- Malaysia
Very large number of drivers and type of Uber. Used the Uber X as it was the cheapest for me. Much cheaper and more reliable than the taxis in the country, usually half price compared to taxis, except for long distance trips where the difference is not as big. Average rating of drivers is lower than in the US but only good experiences. Local traffic conditions make the waiting time a bit unpredictable though.
Uber drivers are very afraid of taxi drivers who have been known to attack them but did not have any issues in around the 15 trips I took there.
-Thailand (BKK)
Uber is actually not really cheaper than taxis and often much less convenient to use as getting the driver to find you is often a struggle. Wide availability of taxis make it less interesting.
- France
Rather good experiences, much more polite and helpful drivers than the usual grumpy taxi drivers. Also so easy as the card in charge instead of the need to having cash. Quite expensive though.
- Denmark
A bit cheaper than taxis but still very expensive. Drivers seem afraid of the police and taxis, even if they claim the service is legal in the country. Still an ok experience.
In Norway and Myanmar, Uber is not available or does not exist.
- Malaysia
Very large number of drivers and type of Uber. Used the Uber X as it was the cheapest for me. Much cheaper and more reliable than the taxis in the country, usually half price compared to taxis, except for long distance trips where the difference is not as big. Average rating of drivers is lower than in the US but only good experiences. Local traffic conditions make the waiting time a bit unpredictable though.
Uber drivers are very afraid of taxi drivers who have been known to attack them but did not have any issues in around the 15 trips I took there.
-Thailand (BKK)
Uber is actually not really cheaper than taxis and often much less convenient to use as getting the driver to find you is often a struggle. Wide availability of taxis make it less interesting.
- France
Rather good experiences, much more polite and helpful drivers than the usual grumpy taxi drivers. Also so easy as the card in charge instead of the need to having cash. Quite expensive though.
- Denmark
A bit cheaper than taxis but still very expensive. Drivers seem afraid of the police and taxis, even if they claim the service is legal in the country. Still an ok experience.
In Norway and Myanmar, Uber is not available or does not exist.
#183
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I echo the thoughts in the post above mine about France. I used Uber twice in Paris (once Uber X and once Uber Pool) and once in Lyon and all the experiences were excellent.
#184



Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Nada
Posts: 7,839
I can't believe Vancouver BC doesn't have Uber or Lyft. I booked a 6 am flight thinking - yeah, I'll just Uber out there, because the Skytrain doesn't run at 4 am. Now I have to go old school taxi.
#185


Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,483
#186
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NJ
Programs: UA-plat, HH-Diamond, Marriott-gold
Posts: 213
I have recently been using extensively while traveling in Asia and Europe, following experiences:
- Malaysia
Very large number of drivers and type of Uber. Used the Uber X as it was the cheapest for me. Much cheaper and more reliable than the taxis in the country, usually half price compared to taxis, except for long distance trips where the difference is not as big. Average rating of drivers is lower than in the US but only good experiences. Local traffic conditions make the waiting time a bit unpredictable though.
Uber drivers are very afraid of taxi drivers who have been known to attack them but did not have any issues in around the 15 trips I took there.
-Thailand (BKK)
Uber is actually not really cheaper than taxis and often much less convenient to use as getting the driver to find you is often a struggle. Wide availability of taxis make it less interesting.
- France
Rather good experiences, much more polite and helpful drivers than the usual grumpy taxi drivers. Also so easy as the card in charge instead of the need to having cash. Quite expensive though.
- Denmark
A bit cheaper than taxis but still very expensive. Drivers seem afraid of the police and taxis, even if they claim the service is legal in the country. Still an ok experience.
In Norway and Myanmar, Uber is not available or does not exist.
- Malaysia
Very large number of drivers and type of Uber. Used the Uber X as it was the cheapest for me. Much cheaper and more reliable than the taxis in the country, usually half price compared to taxis, except for long distance trips where the difference is not as big. Average rating of drivers is lower than in the US but only good experiences. Local traffic conditions make the waiting time a bit unpredictable though.
Uber drivers are very afraid of taxi drivers who have been known to attack them but did not have any issues in around the 15 trips I took there.
-Thailand (BKK)
Uber is actually not really cheaper than taxis and often much less convenient to use as getting the driver to find you is often a struggle. Wide availability of taxis make it less interesting.
- France
Rather good experiences, much more polite and helpful drivers than the usual grumpy taxi drivers. Also so easy as the card in charge instead of the need to having cash. Quite expensive though.
- Denmark
A bit cheaper than taxis but still very expensive. Drivers seem afraid of the police and taxis, even if they claim the service is legal in the country. Still an ok experience.
In Norway and Myanmar, Uber is not available or does not exist.
#187
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,724
Just used it at SGN around 6PM On a Monday night. First, while waiting in line for immigration, found a ridiculously fast airport wifi, something like 114 Mbps down. So I quickly checked Uber and it showed my hotel.
Then I got thru immigration, got my bag, then bought a SIM card and checked Uber again, like 88k VND so I requested it. First 3 requests showed 7 minutes and eventually cancelled. Tried one more time and the driver finally showed up.
Tiny Kia car. Driver gestured with his hands to put the luggage in the backseat so I did it and got in the front. He showed me the Uber screen asked me about the hotel. I just told him the Street it's on and he seemed to know it.
Crazy traffic with all those moped drivers. He paid the departure fee and had the AC going at 20 degrees. I don't know how he'd make any money. It was about 25 minute ride and the bill was $3.67.
I guess the pricing is meant to encourage Vietnamese to use the service. The moto Uber's are like half the price. But Westerners really benefit from he pricing.
I'd downloaded the Grabcar and Vinasun apps. as well but didn't bother to check them since this price was so good.
Hopefully the return trip to SGN is smoother. One of the guys who cancelled actually called me and even though my iPhone was on airplane mode with wifi on tethered to my iPad with the mobiphone sim, the call popped up so I answered it but guy on other end answered "hello" but nothing else. He was one of the guys who canceled.
Just realized answering may cost me $5.99 for roaming on T-mobile ...
Then I got thru immigration, got my bag, then bought a SIM card and checked Uber again, like 88k VND so I requested it. First 3 requests showed 7 minutes and eventually cancelled. Tried one more time and the driver finally showed up.
Tiny Kia car. Driver gestured with his hands to put the luggage in the backseat so I did it and got in the front. He showed me the Uber screen asked me about the hotel. I just told him the Street it's on and he seemed to know it.
Crazy traffic with all those moped drivers. He paid the departure fee and had the AC going at 20 degrees. I don't know how he'd make any money. It was about 25 minute ride and the bill was $3.67.
I guess the pricing is meant to encourage Vietnamese to use the service. The moto Uber's are like half the price. But Westerners really benefit from he pricing.
I'd downloaded the Grabcar and Vinasun apps. as well but didn't bother to check them since this price was so good.
Hopefully the return trip to SGN is smoother. One of the guys who cancelled actually called me and even though my iPhone was on airplane mode with wifi on tethered to my iPad with the mobiphone sim, the call popped up so I answered it but guy on other end answered "hello" but nothing else. He was one of the guys who canceled.
Just realized answering may cost me $5.99 for roaming on T-mobile ...
#188
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 19,797
Just used it at SGN around 6PM On a Monday night. First, while waiting in line for immigration, found a ridiculously fast airport wifi, something like 114 Mbps down. So I quickly checked Uber and it showed my hotel.
Then I got thru immigration, got my bag, then bought a SIM card and checked Uber again, like 88k VND so I requested it. First 3 requests showed 7 minutes and eventually cancelled. Tried one more time and the driver finally showed up.
Tiny Kia car. Driver gestured with his hands to put the luggage in the backseat so I did it and got in the front. He showed me the Uber screen asked me about the hotel. I just told him the Street it's on and he seemed to know it.
Crazy traffic with all those moped drivers. He paid the departure fee and had the AC going at 20 degrees. I don't know how he'd make any money. It was about 25 minute ride and the bill was $3.67.
I guess the pricing is meant to encourage Vietnamese to use the service. The moto Uber's are like half the price. But Westerners really benefit from he pricing.
I'd downloaded the Grabcar and Vinasun apps. as well but didn't bother to check them since this price was so good.
Hopefully the return trip to SGN is smoother. One of the guys who cancelled actually called me and even though my iPhone was on airplane mode with wifi on tethered to my iPad with the mobiphone sim, the call popped up so I answered it but guy on other end answered "hello" but nothing else. He was one of the guys who canceled.
Just realized answering may cost me $5.99 for roaming on T-mobile ...
Then I got thru immigration, got my bag, then bought a SIM card and checked Uber again, like 88k VND so I requested it. First 3 requests showed 7 minutes and eventually cancelled. Tried one more time and the driver finally showed up.
Tiny Kia car. Driver gestured with his hands to put the luggage in the backseat so I did it and got in the front. He showed me the Uber screen asked me about the hotel. I just told him the Street it's on and he seemed to know it.
Crazy traffic with all those moped drivers. He paid the departure fee and had the AC going at 20 degrees. I don't know how he'd make any money. It was about 25 minute ride and the bill was $3.67.
I guess the pricing is meant to encourage Vietnamese to use the service. The moto Uber's are like half the price. But Westerners really benefit from he pricing.
I'd downloaded the Grabcar and Vinasun apps. as well but didn't bother to check them since this price was so good.
Hopefully the return trip to SGN is smoother. One of the guys who cancelled actually called me and even though my iPhone was on airplane mode with wifi on tethered to my iPad with the mobiphone sim, the call popped up so I answered it but guy on other end answered "hello" but nothing else. He was one of the guys who canceled.
Just realized answering may cost me $5.99 for roaming on T-mobile ...
#189
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,724
Been using it a lot in Hanoi. I want to do a certain amount of walking but it's nice to return to the hotel for about a dollar from a couple of kilometers away.
They navigate through all the swarms of scooters (which you have to do on foot whenever you cross a street) and they got the AC going.
I don't know how the economics work at a dollar a ride. I've left bigger tips at the hotels than a lot of these Uber rides.
I went on a tour and the Vietnamese guide said that average incomes are $2500 and scooters are about $700 while cars start at $20k, apparently because of taxes to discourage car ownership? Maybe used cars are much more affordable.
GrabCar is even cheaper and appears to be in the smaller cities that Uber is not in.
If I already didn't have my credit card in Uber, I probably would have tried it out.
They navigate through all the swarms of scooters (which you have to do on foot whenever you cross a street) and they got the AC going.
I don't know how the economics work at a dollar a ride. I've left bigger tips at the hotels than a lot of these Uber rides.
I went on a tour and the Vietnamese guide said that average incomes are $2500 and scooters are about $700 while cars start at $20k, apparently because of taxes to discourage car ownership? Maybe used cars are much more affordable.
GrabCar is even cheaper and appears to be in the smaller cities that Uber is not in.
If I already didn't have my credit card in Uber, I probably would have tried it out.
#190
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA M+ Plat
Posts: 52
Just discovered that Budapest has driven Uber out, apparently since ~July 2016. (Last time I was here was in May.)
The public transport in Budapest is so good (and the downtown/interesting parts of the city are so small) that I don't need it on a regular basis, but I was hoping to take it to the airport, as it was significantly cheaper (50%?) than a taxi last time. Right now I'm considering taking the long route to the airport via metro + bus just out of spite (but probably won't).
The public transport in Budapest is so good (and the downtown/interesting parts of the city are so small) that I don't need it on a regular basis, but I was hoping to take it to the airport, as it was significantly cheaper (50%?) than a taxi last time. Right now I'm considering taking the long route to the airport via metro + bus just out of spite (but probably won't).
#191




Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 656
I have the Uber app on my iPhone. My account is tied to my iPhone #.
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).
#192



Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,515
I have the Uber app on my iPhone. My account is tied to my iPhone #.
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).

When I arrive it takes sometimes 1 hour for my Verizon Travel Pass to go into effect. So I have no phone number, however, if you have WIFI calling enabled on your phone you can and should be able to make phone calls as well as receive text. provided you have a smartphone with a provider that supports wifi calling.
#193




Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum,Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,237
I have the Uber app on my iPhone. My account is tied to my iPhone #.
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).
I'm going to the UK this fall and would like to use Uber in London and possibly in Edinburgh as well. I will have a MiFi with me, so will have wifi wherever I go, as long as it's turned on.
To order Uber car I just use the app, correct? However, if driver needs to call me (as they seem to need to do a lot of the time) should I provide my Skype number -- and add that to my Uber account? -- or just hope they'll text instead and I can get it on my regular phone number. ?
I'm not sure I understand how this works, or even how to ask the question (obviously).

When I have to order Uber via wifi only, I generally try to order it from an established (and thus hopefully easily recognized) nearby business instead of the "find me by the pin" option.
#194
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,724
For instance, I saw private transfer on Viator for DPS to Ubud and it's $64 each way.
I just checked Uber and it appears to be 201-280k Rp, which is around $20 at the top end?
Can Uber or Bluebird pick up or drop you off at DPS? I heard there is one taxi company with a monopoly there.
Can you pay by credit card within the Bluebird taxi app? Do those Bluebird taxis have air conditioning?
#195
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
I've been using Uber for about a year in various Latin American countries, and while it started out great — no negotiations with scammer taxi drivers — the service seems to be declining rapidly. I've been overcharged on a bunch of recent trips, from bogus cancellation fees to bogus add-on tolls to the meter not being turned off until 15 miles after I was dropped off. (And scams aside, not tipping will get you a 4 rating, at best.) Anyone using Uber in Latin America, especially as a non-Latino, is advised to watch your charges very closely.

