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Anyone used ridesharing services such as Blabla.com or carpooling.com?

Posted by (Torrox, Malaga, Spain) on

I'm intrigued by the notion of these ridesharing services to get from city to smaller towns in Abruzzo and Puglia. I quick perusal indicates that some folks seem to make the trip, offering to share rides, on a regular basis. I really don't want to rent a car while there --aside from the expense and anxiety of driving in a foreign country, I hate the idea of being isolated by myself in a car. I'd much rather be rubbing elbows with the locals on a bus or train or sharing their commute.

I have a one-month trip coming up in Feb. to explore southern Italy --nosing around to see if there's someplace I love and want to retire to six months hence. My schedule will be flexible and I think I can wing it a bit on hotel/air bnb reservations because Feb. ought to be a pretty unpopular month for tourists. So, question is: Would I -- 61 year old female with little to no Italian- likely be safe using ridesharing? I figure if I am able to arrange a ride out to the countryside, I just need to make sure I can always get back via public transport, if no returning ride is available.

Thanks for your input!

Posted by
34349 posts

are you comfortable with hitchhiking and being picked up by a stranger? Even if he has an app?

Posted by
84 posts

Nigel...no I can't say I am comfortable with hitchhiking. On the other hand I have offered and transported people seeking rides on CraigsList in the US. I don't accept just anybody, but I'm willing to believe that using common sense makes the risk relatively slim. The difference is that I don't speak Italian and, frankly, that I read so much more about pickpockets in Italy, for example, that it makes me more nervous about being robbed than I would be in the U.S. Rationally, I find it hard to believe that Italians are that much more untrustworthy than Americans and I'd hate to act on a belief that was mere prejudice.

Posted by
1589 posts

" The difference is that I don't speak Italian and, frankly, that I read so much more about pickpockets in Italy, "

I believe that you have just answered your question. While I admire your planned trip to get the feel of the area prior to relocating, this time avoid any rideshare scenarios.

Good luck!

Posted by
16895 posts

I would not do it. If you met someone (e.g., in a hostel) and felt you had got to know them over dinner, etc., then perhaps you would accept a ride.

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