Heading to Paris for a second time, and we are familiar with the different options for getting around. There are times, though, that the convenience of Uber is quite appealing.
This will be our first time to Paris with a total group of four, and I'm seeing mixed things on the "google" that Paris ubers won't pick up more than three in many cases.
Does any one have experience with this or have suggestions for how to navigate ride sharing with four people?
The great news is you don't need Uber because if you download the G7 official Paris taxi app, (which operates just like the uber app in all the ways uber does) you will have a clean/pristine professional taxi and driver at your every whim. The only place you don't need to use it is at the CDG airport. There you go directly to the official taxi stand line, (ignoring anyone who tries to temp you to go with them while walking to the line) and get your taxi that way. Also, official taxis can use the bus lanes making them get you places quicker.
It was absolutely the best experience when we were there in April. We used it from day one, but when my husband injured his foot midway through our trip we G7'd our way all over the city. For every ride, the cars were like hiring a private car service. We only were 2 passengers, but you can put in 4 in the app. Play around with it now, just to check it out and see. We saw a nice taxi/van pick up a family at one of the restaurants we were in; and every car we were in, could have probably done 3 in the back, and 1 in front even if it's the least desirable.
Enjoy!
I agree, normal taxis are in general a better option if the metro or buses don't work.
And a third person noting that in Paris the G7 app works much better than Uber.
Bolt is also a decent option..
Oh, you don’t need to worry about it, because they won’t show up or if they do, they won’t know where they’re going. I’ve had a couple experiences with Uber in Paris. One I reserved for a trip to the airport literally five minutes before I was supposed to be picked up they canceled The 2nd was a transfer between hotels . He dropped me off three blocks early claiming this was the hotel. I knew he was wrong, but my French wasn’t up to the argument. I just just carried my luggage to three blocks
I’ve moved to G7. I have reserved them several times for rides to the airport and guess what? Yay. They showed up They have shown every time we’ve ever reserve them for anything and they can use the bus lanes so you aren’t in traffic as long
I don’t use Uber in Paris. I don’t find it convenient to be stood up have poorly informed drivers or sit in traffic. I’m done.
Exactly what Carol said.
A lot of Uber's problems with pick up and delivery stem from their abysmal geolocate function. I stopped using the geolocate function after my driver was on Rue d'Amsterdam near the Hilton and I was in front of the Leroy Merlin on Place de la Madeleine. I got the message that my driver was at the pick up location and I was being charged wait time. Luckily, I have enough French to be able to call him and tell him exactly where I was. He told me that traffic was too bad and it was going to be too difficult to get to me and he would cancel the ride, which he did. This was about a week after the time I was going to Il était un square in the 13th and the Uber driver pulled over right after we crossed Pont de Sully and told me we were there. Lesson learned. I used Taxi G7 for the remainder of the trip. I still use Uber sometimes especially if I need an Uber XL. When using Uber be sure to actually enter the address of your pick up spot and the address of your drop off spot. Do not let Uber do it for you.
gawwdawful,
What everyone else said, yes. We have even taken a taxi from a line near a restaurant to Ste. Chapelle when we were running late for our reservation. I wouldn't even consider Uber in Paris, for the reasons stated above.
If Uber were clearly a superior option to the métro I would certainly use. However, Uber has surge pricing, cars are delayed in traffic, and they are not always available. Métro cars arrive every 3 to 4 minutes and traffic is never a concern.
In order to become a licensed taxi driver in Paris, the driver has to pass an exam proving they have memorized every street in Paris. I don't think a Uber, Bolt, or shuttle driver comes close.
It's the same it London for the Black Cab drivers.
That said, Bolt and Uber have their place if you are traveling outside of Paris into the suburbs. Parisian taxi drivers are licensed for Paris and their rates double when they cross the city border. So, if you want to get to the Basilica in Saint Denis, Versailles, the Chateau de Sceau, all outside the city limits, you are better off using a car service if you don't use public transportation.
I am so impressed with these responses and so appreciative of everyone helping me.
Thank you!
