Uber or Lyft.

We use both these fairly often. I use Uber and my husband uses Lyft. There is no real reason for this, it just happens to be what we have gotten used to. I would not wait until the trip to use it though, do short trips now, to get used to it. Yes, you can order it ahead of time, and we have never had a car not show. I am sure it happens, but we have never had an issue with that. Yes, you get confirmations when you book. My husband almost always opts for one of the upgraded vehicles, but I am fine with the cheapest. It would be hard to describe every step of the app, but play around with it and like I said use it locally for a short trip or two just to get familiar with it.

I use Uber and Lyft extensively in the USA. I have used Bolt many times in Europe. Uber and Lyft are essentially the same. I look at prices and availability and decide at the moment. You should download the Uber app as well. Both allow you to reserve a ride in the future. You just have to set the pick-up time and date. A confirmation will show up in the app, and you will get a notification around your selected time slot. Both companies use 'surge pricing' and other methods to determine cost. For a 6:00 am departure, advance booking is strongly suggested because depending on where you live, drivers may not be out and about at that hour. On the other hand, drivers are usually eager to pick up an airport-bound passenger because of longer distances (more income) and the certainty of finding a return trip. I would say Uber and Lyft are both very reliable, but are they 100% all the time? No. It's the drivers who may flake on you, not the app. I have taken hundreds of rides and had an issue a couple of times.

Thanks to both mikliz97 and alomaker

I have been a passenger many times in both Uber and Lyft but have only ordered a Lyft one time while at the airport. i was not in a rush.

Medicare has ordered me a ride many times to get to an appointment and there has never been a problem. I have. a link and a phone number for when it is time to return home and there has also never been a problem

However one time, a friend ordered me a ride while we were at an event. The event hall was behind the main building. The ride never showed up and my friend had to give me a ride home.

I also live in a large apartment complex for older people who require a ride share for medical appointments. .There have been some times when the ride does not show up and it is a problem when you have a doctors appt. It is not very difficult to find my building but some drivers have claimed that they could not find the address. Lots and lots of others do find the address..

That is why I asked about reliability.

I am in a similar situation of maybe needing to use Uber or Lyft this fall having never used either before. We don't have them where I live, so trying them out ahead of time is not an option. As a woman traveling alone, I wonder about the safety of getting into a stranger's car. (I'll be going from Kansas City airport to suburban Overland Park.) I suppose it's no more risky than getting in a taxi, but I'm a worrier. Can anyone offer me reassurance?

It’s just as safe as driving your own car to the grocery store or getting on a bus or a train. There are lots of safety features built into the app, and I can tell you that I have never had a problem using Uber or Bolt or any other rideshare service.

Are there risks? Of course, just like there are risks involved in driving your own car to the grocery store or getting on a bus or a train. I don’t mean to discount potential risks, but I’m just saying that thousands if not millions of people use ride sharing every day. So that should tell you something.

Michelle

I have never once felt afraid in my Uber or Lyft.

I know there are some horror stories out there but there are horror stores about everything and anything.

You should get the name of your driver when you order Uber or Lyft, maybe even a picture. And I believe one of them lets you order a driver by gender.

the driver should also have your name. And when they pull up, you will exchange names.

The driver needs to be protected as much as the passenger.

The vehicles that I have been in have always been clean and in good condition. All my drivers drovve well.

Thank you for your input Mardee.

I have learned so much from you.

Yes, you get the drivers name, the make/model/color/license plate of the vehicle and then a photo of the driver. Make sure that is the person before you get in the vehicle.

Michelle--When my mom was in an assisted living and not completely with it, I would order her an Uber to take her places. She did not have a problem at all with it. If you are uneasy, then call someone as you get in the vehicle and stay on the phone with them until you are dropped off. I did that with mom the first few times, but with her it was mostly so that she wouldn't ask to go somewhere else other than where she had planned to go.

I've used both companies many times, with about 99% good experiences. The 1 bad experience bears mentioning just in case:
I was picked up at San Diego airport for a fairly short ride to my hotel. The driver started driving, then said, "oops, your destination disappeared from my app. Now I won't get paid, but oh well, I will enjoy chatting with you and you can direct me." At that point we were on the freeway and he had my luggage in the trunk, so I focused on getting us to my hotel. I should have smelled a scam but when I got out, I voluntarily paid in cash....and sure enough, the charge also posted to my credit card. A lengthy call to Uber was useless - they said they could not help me and would not refund the charge. (In retrospect I should have contested it with Visa.) I was able to rate the ride and hopefully the company pulled his Uber license.

My takeaway - if they say the trip disappeared from their app, dial up the company while you are riding along - I bet it will magically reappear.

great information mikliz97
very helpful

KC. I do not know what to say. So many scammers out there. They are everywhere.

One thing that I want to add is that the drivers have to be cautious also, Ride share drivers have been victimized by passengers.

Thanks all for the information.

I have used Uber extensively in both the US and Europe as a single woman. They have always been reliable, and the Uber app is very good about giving an idea of when the vehicle will arrive and what the cost will be. I do check to make sure that the car and the driver picking me up meet the description given on the app before I get in the vehicle. One time when I had a very early flight I reserved a taxi in advance. They never showed, so I contacted Uber and someone was there within minutes.

I've never made a reservation in advance because every time I need a ride there is always someone available. Even at 6 a.m. But if it gives you confidence, Uber does offer that feature. BTW, someone talked about the Uber drivers having trouble finding where to pick them up. You have the ability to send a message to the Uber driver, and I use that to let them know how to find the door to our apartment building.

I think it's a great idea to practice using either Uber or Lyft around town on some short trips just to get used to how it works. Then you'll be confident when you need to get to the airport.

naalehuretiree

Thank you.

It really sounds like either Uber or Lyft might do just fine.

It would be difficult to miss my address especially if one is using technology but it does happen every so often.
I will be waiting in the lobby right by the door or sitting outside on a bench.

I am leaving three weeks from today. Maybe I will try a practice.

I was a bundle of nerves yesterday but very calm today.