Hi ,
I saw on Uber website that Rome has UBER. Do you all recommend using UBER as opposed to taxis and are they about the same price? I am not experienced at all with UBER but hear it's very convenient. Any feedback would be appreciated. Do you know if Florence and Venice have UBER. I didn't see them on list so don't think so but not 100% sure....
thanks!
If you aren't familiar with it, i would try it out in your home town one night, and get familiar with the app.
I use it all the time in the USA, so when in Paris i was not hesitant to use it at all. It seemed like a reasonable price for the trips i took, so i used it. I really didn't compare it to Taxis, as i didn't know what a taxi would cost, but to me it seemed fair.
No Uber in Venice.
No Uber in Florence.
Uber was banned across Italy in April of this year, and the ban was lifted by the court in May. Like cab drivers in the US, Italian cab drivers HATE Uber, as their drivers are less regulated. Italy is working on regulating Uber, but that will happen when it happens.
I am not fond of the service, due to the unfair competition and the surge pricing. Taxis in Italy are not that pricy, imho, so I'd take a licensed taxi. Your mileage may vary.
Uber Pop is still banned in Italy.
The Court of 1st instance has recently lifted the temporary ban of Uber Black, professional drivers contacted and paid via Uber's app.
You can use Uber Black in Rome, no one has ever been scammed by an Uber driver in Rome while many have been victims of Roman notorious taxi drivers. On the other hand an Uber driver will always be more expensive than an honest cabbie. It's up to you.
Venice? Now there's a market----Uber water taxis!!!
One wonders if there's anyone with a boat in Venice who wants the extra income of being a taxi who doesn't already operate a moonlighting taxi service or guide service. One suspects there are a dozen or fewer.
Uber came in really handy for me in Rome last fall when the promised taxi failed to show up at our B&B and we had a timed entry ticket to the Galleria Borghese across town. So you might want to consider it as a backup.
Cynthia
I've never used Uber, but I have friends that went to Italy and highly recommend using the service. They used Uber quite a bit while they were there.
They used Uber quite a bit while they were there.
But not in Venice! Venice is virtually pedestrianized aside from the water taxis and vaporetti.
Use a licensed cab in Florence and Rome if you don't want to use public transit (the only way we've gotten around aside from our own 2 feet). Florence is not that big: I can't imagine you'd need a cab at all unless you're staying far from center or have mobility issues.
Uber Black is the only service that is (for now) allowed in Italy. It currently operates in Rome and Milan only.
These are not private citizens using their car, like the typical Uber service.
Uber Black is a black luxury limo service driven by licensed professional drivers.
Prices tend to be more expensive than regular taxis, but you also have a more luxury service aboard Mercedes type luxury cars.
But regular Taxi cars in Italy are not as old and run down as I typically see in America however, since cars can't be older than 4 or 5 years in practically all municipalities.
Uber Water taxi in Venice might be difficult to implement as there are restrictions to the navigation to private boats. The ZTL applies to the Grand Canal in Venice too.
Thanks Everyone,
Cynthia, wondering if it's a must to see Galleria Borghese while there? What did you think?
Borghese is a must see if you are into the art.
If their collection doesn't hit your interests, or hits things that you really don't like, I'm not sure Italy is for you.
Here are some highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borghese_Collection#Galleria_Borghese
It is the museum that made me fall in love with Caravaggio, and really envy European museums in general.
Agreed: the Borghese is a must-see if interested in art: great collection. We much preferred it to the Vatican for excellent crowd control and fascinating setting.
In Rome now and Uber seems quite a bit more expensive than cabs here, maybe some thing like 10 euros vs 14. I looked at a coliseum area to Vatican uber in the evening around 7 pm and it was 48 euro during the surge pricing.
Borghese was amazing. The Berninis alone are worth it. Highly recommend! And it's such a beautiful place. And not insane crowds like Vatican. I hated the Vatican museum. I felt like a sardine. I know the art is incredible but it was so hot and there were these enormous tour groups...I couldn't wait to get to the Sistine Chapel. And St Peters. Borghese only lets 200 people in at a time. It's great!
