Too often I take Uber’s for granted. Cheap and easy. No more hailing a cab, or having to rummage through your pockets for loose change to pay the driver. Just call Uber on the app, one and done. Enter the car, chit chat for awhile, leave and say thank you. Easy. And it often times is substantially cheaper than a taxi.
Berlin Uber’s:
Sadly, as I was getting used to calling Uber’s everywhere in Vienna and Prague, I did not have the same experience with Berlin Uber’s.
First off the Uber X rides are hard to find. Many times it says “No Cars Available”. I resorted to using Uber when it was raining, when I found a Uber X trip from the Potsdamer Platz to the Waldorf Astoria Berlin. It was only a 3 mile ride, and took exactly 11 minutes. The cost? 18 EUR. It was raining, and surge was 1.3x. Even without surge, 14 EUR for 3 miles and 11 minutes is quite expensive!! An equivalent ride in Vienna would only cost 5-6 EUR.
My taxi ride from the Waldorf Astoria to Tegel Airport was 5.5 miles and took 20 minutes. Even that taxi was only 17 EUR. And it was longer!
The reason my Uber was so expensive in Berlin is because Uber X is contracted through a professional service, as Uber is not allowed to operate in Berlin due to laws on drivers being licensed. I did not try out “Uber Taxi” which is basically just Uber finding you a licensed taxi.
Anyone have expensive Uber stories to share? Or Uber experiences in Berlin?
Happy travels,
theresorttraveler
MY EUROPEAN TRIP REPORT:
Check out the rest of my European 2017 Summer Trip here!
Hotel Reviews:
- Hilton Innsbruck
- Wyndham Grand Salzburg
- Imperial Riding School Renaissance Vienna
- Marriott Prague
- Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Delta Flights
- The Delta Flight That Caused Me To Arrive A Day Late
- No In Flight Entertainment For 9 Hour Flight
- Main Cabin TXL-JFK
- Comfort Plus JFK-LAX
Trains:
Attractions:
[…] Uber In Berlin More Expensive Than Taxis: Uber has been a total game changer when it comes to travel, especially when traveling to foreign countries. Prices are usually cheaper than taxis, you don’t have to haggle with drivers, and there’s no language barrier to overcome. However, this is a good reminder to check to see if you’re getting better rates with Uber than you would with a taxi. It pays to do some research before heading out to your next destination. […]
The reason Uber is cheaper everywhere else is because they’re subsidized by VC funders backing a company that has never turned a profit. And I’m someone who takes Uber fairly frequently!
True. Take it while we can! Thanks for reading!