Uber in Singapore
Jan 21, 2015, 2:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: HNL & SFO
Programs: UA MM/Gold
Posts: 292
Uber in Singapore
How available are Uber cars in Singapore? I've started to use the service more frequently in San Francisco, and the moment I book it thru the app, a car is in front of me within a few minutes. Can I expect the same when in Singapore with Uber?
Jan 23, 2015, 8:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Please note that 'standard' Uber might cost you 2x-7x the price of ordinary taxi - I've already seen the story of one woman who got charged $115 for uber ride within CBD.
If you want more reasonable price, you need to book Uber X.
P.S. Never used Uber and have no intention to do so - grabtaxi/gettaxi works fine for me.
If you want more reasonable price, you need to book Uber X.
P.S. Never used Uber and have no intention to do so - grabtaxi/gettaxi works fine for me.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:40 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 50
As an Uber driver, I can tell you the surge pricing is rare, and VERY temporary. Furthermore, most city's Uber prices are half of what a taxi fare is. Plus, no minimums from the airport.
For instance, in Tampa, the Uber rate is $1.20/mile no minimum, whereas cabs are $2.40 a mile with a $15 minimum from the airport.
For instance, in Tampa, the Uber rate is $1.20/mile no minimum, whereas cabs are $2.40 a mile with a $15 minimum from the airport.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:41 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 50
Also, the surge pricing is VERY VERY clear if and when it occurs. You're warned twice, and you actually have to type the multiplier you're being charged. The problem is, Americans cannot do math.
Jan 31, 2015, 4:46 am
#6
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
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As an Uber driver, I can tell you the surge pricing is rare, and VERY temporary. Furthermore, most city's Uber prices are half of what a taxi fare is. Plus, no minimums from the airport.
For instance, in Tampa, the Uber rate is $1.20/mile no minimum, whereas cabs are $2.40 a mile with a $15 minimum from the airport.
For instance, in Tampa, the Uber rate is $1.20/mile no minimum, whereas cabs are $2.40 a mile with a $15 minimum from the airport.
In Singapore surge pricing is pretty frequent and predictable. Friday evening, 5PM raining, S$170 for what would normally be a S$22 trip in a normal taxi.
Without surge pricing, Uber is triple what I pay to get from BKK to my hotel. I've done it before happily, but it is tripe what I normally pay.
In Singapore Comfort Delgro with the booking fee is still half of the price of Uber.
No complaints, but I'm not sure that what someone sees in one country is similar to another country.
Jan 31, 2015, 10:59 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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SG's Uber surge pricing is in line with the taxi time of day and location surcharges.
May I suggest Uber drivers research a bit on what other Uber drivers worldwide is charging as well as different pricing structure at different part of the world>
May I suggest Uber drivers research a bit on what other Uber drivers worldwide is charging as well as different pricing structure at different part of the world>
Mar 6, 2015, 6:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
Uber availability is good in Singapore, I use it for 90% of trips as i cant be bothered with the hassle of the regular taxis. It is probably a 10-20% increase on normal - it cost me $16 to get from the Intercontinetnal to the airport last week. A regular taxi is about $14 from memory.
Mar 8, 2015, 12:47 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,872
We will land at the singapore airport from seoul at around 9 30 pm. We are 3 people and first timers. When we exit the airport terminal, what type of cab should I look for that is cheapest to take us to the Hilton? We would prefer a bigger car full size sedan or a van if possible cos one of us is a baby and we have heavy bags. Is there a starter at the taxi line to answer questions about rates and types of cabs? Thanks a lot
Mar 8, 2015, 7:10 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
We will land at the singapore airport from seoul at around 9 30 pm. We are 3 people and first timers. When we exit the airport terminal, what type of cab should I look for that is cheapest to take us to the Hilton? We would prefer a bigger car full size sedan or a van if possible cos one of us is a baby and we have heavy bags. Is there a starter at the taxi line to answer questions about rates and types of cabs? Thanks a lot
Mar 19, 2015, 11:00 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Shanghai, Singapore
Programs: SQ*G, SPG Platinum, FPC Premier
Posts: 339
Unfortunately there's no way of requesting a bigger taxi if you join the normal taxi queue. I saw a couple with a baby and lots of luggage ask for one this morning (yes at SIN) and the attendant told them to get two taxis.
There isn't an UberXL service in Singapore which makes it suck.
Mar 19, 2015, 12:16 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 14,132
We will land at the singapore airport from seoul at around 9 30 pm. We are 3 people and first timers. When we exit the airport terminal, what type of cab should I look for that is cheapest to take us to the Hilton? We would prefer a bigger car full size sedan or a van if possible cos one of us is a baby and we have heavy bags. Is there a starter at the taxi line to answer questions about rates and types of cabs? Thanks a lot
http://www.taxisingapore.com/
Below are the surcharges:
Changi Airport Additional Charges
Fri – Sun: 5.00 pm to midnight $5.00
At all other times $3.00
Mar 19, 2015, 12:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Shanghai, Singapore
Programs: SQ*G, SPG Platinum, FPC Premier
Posts: 339
I'm not sure if most people who hail an Uber do so cos it's cheaper than a normal taxi.
It sometimes is the only way for one to get a ride.
And no, taxis in Singapore are not dirt cheap if you've been to other cities in Asia.
It sometimes is the only way for one to get a ride.
And no, taxis in Singapore are not dirt cheap if you've been to other cities in Asia.
Mar 19, 2015, 12:30 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: HNL & SFO
Programs: UA MM/Gold
Posts: 292
Just back from my 3rd trip to Singapore in the past few months.
I used Uber for all my rides there. I did use Blacklane for going from the airport to the hotel, at my 1am arrival time.
I experienced surge pricing only a few times while there, at around 8:30am in the morning. what I did was just keep refreshing the screen, and each time, within 5-10 minutes, the normal pricing came back up.
I used Uber for all my rides there. I did use Blacklane for going from the airport to the hotel, at my 1am arrival time.
I experienced surge pricing only a few times while there, at around 8:30am in the morning. what I did was just keep refreshing the screen, and each time, within 5-10 minutes, the normal pricing came back up.