Does Uber operate in Italy? If so, does it operate like in the U.S.? I understand some of the European versions of Uber will provide an estimate when ordering but then adds on additional charges when being dropped off.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11174 posts
"Regular" uber does not operate in Italy
uber black, a limo type service does.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15152 posts
To add to what Joe wrote, the Uber Black Service operates in Rome and Milan only.
After a lawsuit initiated by the taxi drivers, a court decided in 2015 that such car service can only be rendered by licensed professionals. As a result Uber Black cars are operated by licensed professional black limo drivers.. So when you summon a Uber Black car, you will be picked up by the typical luxury private car driver with an NCC license (Noleggio Con Conducente=Hired Car with Driver). It will ride in style, but the price will be more than a regular taxi, therefore if you were planning to use it to save money, it’s not going to work.
Taxis are cheaper (although still expensive thanks to the monopoly their lobby secured for them).
Unlike taxi drivers, limo drivers in Italy are required to drive back empty to their base after each passenger they drop off, before they can pick up the next passenger, another ridiculous rule devised to suppress the competition to the taxi lobby.
DO NOT LEAVE A TIP TO TAXI DRIVERS. They all own their taxi and license and they are monopolists. And don’t be surprised if they try to swindle you especially in Rome by taking a longer route or with some other excuse.
Posted by
OP
St Paul, MN
37 posts
Thank you, folks, for the info!