Using Uber in Nice

uber car with iphoneUber is a welcome alternative to Nice taxis; much less expensive, no risk of overcharging tourists, no money changes hands, no need to speak French, and much friendlier and more professional.

You register on-line with your payment details, and then when you want a car you can quickly do so on your smartphone in English.   Shortly after, you get a message confirming the car and driver, and in how many minutes the car will arrive.  The driver’s photo, name, car type and license plate number pop up on your phone, and you rate the driver at the end of your ride.  It is more efficient than a taxi, the drivers are friendly and helpful, everything is clear from the outset (so no getting ripped off), and you don’t need need to fumble for euros or worry about tipping.

Many of the drivers speak English, but even if they don’t it doesn’t matter!  When you order the car on your phone (in English) you set the pick up point and destination, you see the route and estimated arrival time, it tells you the approximate cost in advance, and the final cost is debited from your credit card automatically with an immediate receipt by email, so there is nothing to negotiate or discuss… just a ‘bonjour‘ and a smile will suffice!

First-time Uber users: click here and save 10€ on each of your first 5 rides!

One you sign up, there are two levels of cars:

UberX is the most popular service. It costs a 3rd to half as much as a taxi, and you are picked up by professionally licensed and insured drivers.  The cars are clean and well-maintained, the drivers are friendly and professional, and they usually even offer you a bottle of water!  The minimum charge for an Uber X is 6€.

Uber Berline is the more expensive service (but still less than a taxi) where you are picked up in a luxury sedan by a professional chauffeur wearing a suit.  The minimum charge for an Uber Berline is 15€.

Check out the cost comparison that the Nice-Matin did for the trip between the Meridien Hotel and the airport:

  • The taxi was 36€
  • An UberX cost 18€
  • The Uber Berline was a black Mercedes Viano with leather seats and a bottle of water, the driver was impeccably attired, friendly and professional, and the cost of the trip was 32€

If you order one for an airport transfer, just get on the free airport wifi and click the app.   The app tells you exactly where to meet your driver at the airport and you just look for the driver and car (photo is on your phone).  It usually takes them 5-10 minutes to arrive.

  • Insider Uber at the airport tips:  The app will tell you where to meet your driver, and will say for instance ‘Meet at Door D2’ but you will only see the D markings from the sidewalk outside; the door numbers are oddly not marked inside the airport.
  •  Another Uber Airport tip: request that your driver take the route along the Promenade des Anglais, which will cost less than the highway and will be infinitely more scenic!  

Uber-X is especially great for getting to the Matisse and Chagall Museums on Cimiez, which can be kind of a hassle to get to by bus, especially on Sundays.  From the Old Town, an UberX car would cost 12€ to get to the Chagall or Matisse Museum (versus 15-20€ or more by regular taxi).

  • Uber from the Old Town tip:  Since the Old Town is pedestrian-only which used to make it difficult to find the meeting point your driver, now there are 3 standard pick up points along the edge of the Old Town.  The app will show you where you are, and where the pick up points are and you choose the best one and then head to it.

Unlike taxis, Ubers don’t charge more at night or on Sundays, so it is a great way for getting back after the buses/trams/trains have stopped, or after you’ve had a few.

The only caveat to Ubers is that when there is a sudden surge in demand, they raise the prices.  This is called ‘surge pricing‘ and is clearly communicated to you before you place the order for the car.  If you see that surge pricing is in effect, just get out of the app and try again in 5 or 10 minutes.  The higher prices discourage customers, so the surge in demand usually ends rather quickly.

Wow, no wonder the Nice taxis are so mad!

Taking an Uber in Monaco

If you miss the last bus, or even the last train, instead of taking a taxi back which will set you back around 100€, better to take an Uber which will only cost around 40€.  The catch is that Uber is banned in Monaco, so here is your super insider tip: walk up to the top of Casino Square garden, and then up the stairway, and cross the street.  Now you are no longer in Monaco, but in the French town of Beausoleil, and now Uber will work!

Back up to main Go/Transport page

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