Is There Uber in Germany? How to Get Around in 2024

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Wondering if There Is Uber in Germany? If you are planning a trip to Germany, you may be thinking about your transportation options, and wondering if there is Uber in Germany.

After all, ridesharing is a popular way to get around in North America. But is it the same in Europe?

We have travelled extensively through Germany, not to mention, that I have family there. So, we definitely know the best ways to get around!

So back to the burning question – Is there Uber in Germany? The answer is yes.

There is Uber in Germany. However, it doesn’t operate the same way that it does in Canada and the US.

In this article, we will talk about how Uber works in Germany, as well as other transportation options that are available for you to use.

🚙 Does Germany Have Lyft In 2024? 

No. Lyft does not operate in Germany in 2024. Lyft can mainly be found in Canada and the US.

🚙 Does Germany Have Uber in 2024? 

While Uber does exist, it is not the traditional rideshare program that you would find in North America.

When UberPop, Known as UberX in the US, was introduced in 2014 in Germany, it caused a lot of controversy among the local cab companies. They complained that Uber drivers had an unfair advantage when it came to licensing.

As a result, in 2015 the state court in Frankfurt forced the company to suspend their Uber services nationwide.

Then in 2019, the Uber App was declared illegal by German courts because it bypassed locally registered and regulated taxi companies.

Today, Uber drivers in Germany need a professional chauffeur’s license. They also need to work with a taxi operations centre.

So while a passenger’s rides will be ordered via the Uber app, the request will actually go through a taxi operator and a driver’s fleet.

Long story short, now that the company has made some changes, Uber is now able to operate in Germany, but only as a regulated taxi service.

Another caveat to consider is, that you will only find Uber in select German cities.

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🚙 In Which German Cities Can You Find Uber?

During our travels, we found that Germans are not too fond of using Uber. So, as a result, Uber can only be found in a few select cities in Germany.

Fortunately, Uber does operate in many of the larger and more popular cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Mannheim, Rostock, and Munich. With many popular attractions found in these cities, Uber gives you another transportation option at your disposal.

Some of the larger cities where Uber cannot be found include Dresden and Bremen. This is unfortunate, as there are so many awesome things to do in these places as well.

And, if you are travelling to some of the smaller towns in Germany, chances are, you will also not be able to use Uber. This was the case when we went to Waldenbuch to visit the Ritter Sport Museum.

If you’re not sure, you can always check your Uber App to confirm whether or not a particular city that you will be travelling to has Uber service.

If not, Germany has a variety of efficient transportation methods that are available. More on that later in the article.

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🚙 Should I Consider Rideshares Other than Uber?

While we were travelling through Germany, we noticed several other rideshare companies that were available.

Companies like Bolt, Carpool Germany, Free Now, Getaround, Lime, Share Now, SnappCar, and Stadtmobil Car Sharing are all options to use instead of Uber.

But to be perfectly honest, ridesharing really isn’t all that popular with the locals in Germany.

So if you are comfortable with using the Uber app at home, I would suggest just sticking to it while in Germany. There won’t be too much of a difference.

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🚙 Is Uber Available at the Frankfurt Airport? 

Yes. Uber service is allowed at Frankfurt Airport and is usually readily available.

If you fly into Terminal 1, you will find that most Uber drivers will instruct you to head to the departure area on the top floor for pick-up.

This is because there is far less traffic than at the arrivals section. Actually, we use this trick all the time when we get picked up at home in Toronto as well!

If you land in Terminal 2, head to the D and E pick-up areas. Since there is only one level at this terminal, unfortunately, you will have no options for a less busy pick-up area.

You can expect to pay approximately €20-25 for an Uber to take you to the city center. Of course, because Uber still uses surge pricing, this price will fluctuate throughout the day.

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If you don’t want to pre-book a transfer service, there are taxi stands outside the airport waiting to pick up tourists you can use.

Or, you can also take public transportation, as many German airports have a subway station inside the airport.

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🚙 What is the Best Way to Get Around Germany Without Uber?? 

As we mentioned earlier, Germany is home to several different transportation options if Uber is not available, or if you just don’t prefer this type of service.

During our trek across Germany, we rarely used Uber. Instead, we preferred to take public transportation. We found it to be more cost-effective and didn’t really mind the extra time it took to get from one place to another.

🚐 Taking a tour is another great option for getting around Germany. From guided tours to Hop on Hop off options, the choices are endless.

🚗 Another way to get around Germany is by renting a car. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and take day trips from one city to another, that would not be easily accessible by public transportation.

🚕 If you don’t want to drive, taxis are available. Taxis are relatively inexpensive and are generally easy to come by. And, as we mentioned before, you can use the Uber app to hail a licensed taxi.

🚇 The German Metro system is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of getting around any major city. With lines that take you from the airport to most of the popular attractions, you really can’t go wrong.

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🚐 Getting Around Germany by Taking Tours

Taking a tour is a great way to get around and explore Germany, especially if you’re short on time or want to maximize your sightseeing opportunities.

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🚗 Do I Need a Car in Germany?

Whether or not you need a car in Germany depends on your travel plans and personal preferences.

We only rented a car for our road trip through Germany. When we knew that we were only planning to visit one city or just adjoining towns, we opted for public transportation instead.

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🚗 Renting a Car in Germany

Renting a car is a great way to explore Germany at your own pace.

With a rental car, you can visit remote attractions, scenic viewpoints, and hidden gems that may not be easily accessible by public transportation or tours.

Rental cars can easily be picked up from any of Germany’s airports. There are also several other car rental places throughout the various cities.

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🚗 How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Germany?

The cost of 🚗 renting a car in Germany really depends on the time of year that you are visiting, where you pick up your vehicle, and the type of car that you would like to rent.

On average, you can expect to pay about $100-$150 USD per day for an economy car picked up at the airport.

So, depending on how much of the country you want to explore, this may or may not be more cost-effective than taking a taxi or a tour.

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🚗 Can Americans Drive in Germany? 

Yes, Americans can drive in Germany using a valid US license.

That said, licensed Americans looking to rent a car in Germany will need an IDP (International Driving Permit) to pick up and drive their rental car in Germany. 

Not to mention, if you were ever to be stopped by police, or got into an accident, you would also need to be able to produce an IDP.

IDPs can be issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).

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🚗 Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Germany?

It’s very safe to rent and drive your own car in Germany. Coming from Canada, we found the driving experience to be quite similar.

Germans, for the most part, are very respectful on the roads. So as long as you are following the rules of the road, you shouldn’t have any issues.

In fact, anytime that we have rented a car in Germany, the experience has always been positive and a lot of fun.

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🚌 Is There Public Transportation in Germany?

Yes. Germany is home to a world-class public transportation system.

In fact, for the majority of our visits to Germany (including the many summers I spent living in Germany as a child), we have always relied on public transportation to get around.

Not only is it clean, but very efficient, reliable, and a breeze to use.

I remember a few years back when Hubby and I spent a few weeks in Stuttgart. We used the subway system easily and regularly.

But when we left Germany and went to London for the next part of our vacation, we were shell-shocked at the chaos we saw trying to use their Tube system! 🤣🤣

So, depending on your budget and where you are headed, public transportation can be the best and most budget-friendly option for getting around the city. Keep reading to find out what’s available!

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🚌 What Public Transportation Options Are Available in Germany? 

If you are considering using public transportation in Germany – which we would highly recommend – you have several options to choose from:

🚌 Buses

City buses are an important part of Germany’s public transportation network. Buses offer a flexible and affordable way to explore local neighbourhoods and reach destinations not easily accessible by train.

🚇 S-Bahn (City rapid rail)

The S-Bahn is Germany’s urban rapid transit system, providing quick and convenient train connections within and around major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

🚆 U-Bahn (Subway)

The U-Bahn is Germany’s efficient and extensive underground subway system. It is a convenient and popular choice for getting around major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

🚅 Train

Trains in Germany are an exceptional mode of transportation for longer journeys. They provide comfort, speed, and scenic views as you travel between cities and regions.

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🚌 How Much Does it Cost to Take Public Transportation in Germany?

The cheapest way to travel in Germany is definitely public transportation.

When it comes to tickets, you can either purchase short-haul tickets, single-day tickets, group-day tickets, or multi-day tickets.

There are a variety of multi-day tickets to choose from, and they are a great option if you plan to be in the city for several days.

As far as cost goes, tickets for Munich’s public transport network (for example) are the same for every mode of transport (see above).

Prices range from €2.90 for a single ticket covering one zone, and from €6.70 for a one-day travel card covering the downtown area.

All tickets can be purchased at one of the vending machines in any of the metro stations, from a manned till in most metro stations, or even online as a mobile ticket.

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🚕 Are Taxis a Good Option in Germany? 

Yes! Taxis are a great option in Germany if you do not want to rent a car or drive. In fact, there are more than 50,000 taxis available in Germany!

Taxis in Germany are also pretty easy to spot. The vehicles are cream-coloured and topped with yellow taxi signs.

And considering Germany is home to many luxury car-makers, it should also come as no shock that much of the taxi fleet is made up of comfortable Mercedes and Audis. We loved that!

Comfort aside, taxis in Germany are safe to use and heavily regulated by the government. However, they also tend to be the most expensive form of transportation.

Taxis may also not be the quickest way to get around, depending on the time of day you are travelling (think rush hour). Just something to keep in mind when weighing your transportation options.

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🚕 Is it Easy to Get a Taxi in Germany?

Yes. Taxis in Germany are plentiful and easy to hail.

Just like in Canada and the US, you can hail a taxi in the street, grab one from a taxi rank, or call a local taxi company. Some taxi companies also offer the option of using an app to book a ride.

While we never tried hailing a cab in the streets, it was easy enough to find a taxi rank in the larger cities and near popular tourist attractions.

We were also able to call a taxi after searching online for the number of a local company. Of course, you could also ask for assistance from your hotel concierge.

💡Marianne’s Tip: If you choose to call a cab, don’t worry if you can’t speak German. I noticed that the dispatchers whom I dealt with all spoke fluent English. So while I speak enough German to get by comfortably, it was less stressful knowing that I could make my wishes known in either language.

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🚕 Are Taxis in Germany Expensive?

Everyone’s version of expensive is different. But in my opinion, taxis in Germany are pretty affordable.

Taxi companies are heavily regulated by the government. As a result, you can expect standardized fares with fewer opportunities for taxi drivers to overcharge unsuspecting tourists.

Of course, if you plan on going to many different places in Germany (or even crossing the border), 🚗 renting a car will be cheaper than using taxis. 

As for cost, a taxi ride in Germany usually starts with a base fee of around 3-5 euros and increases at an additional rate of 2-3 euros per kilometre.

This fee will change if you are being picked up from an airport, require a larger vehicle, or if you are travelling at night.

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🚕 Is it Safe to Take a Taxi in Germany?

Yes. Taking a taxi is a safe way to travel in Germany. This applies to solo travellers as well as couples, or families travelling with kids.

As I mentioned earlier, taxis in Germany are heavily regulated. Of course, just like anywhere else in the world, you should always be careful.

Let someone know your travel plans, make sure that you are only using licensed taxis, and if something feels off, have the driver drop you off in a public place.

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🚶‍♀️ Are German Cities Walkable?

Absolutely! Many German cities are very walkable.

The streets are well-maintained, and pedestrian-friendly pathways crisscross throughout the city.

You can easily stroll from charming cafes to historic sites and cozy boutiques, enjoying the local culture or admiring the architecture on foot.

In larger cities, public transport hubs are typically within easy reach, making it a breeze to explore the area by walking.

Of course, you will need some form of transportation to get from one town or city to another.

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🚙 Uber in Germany – FAQs

Can I use my Uber app in Germany?

Yes, you can use your Uber app in Germany, but its availability and service coverage may vary from city to city. So it’s a good idea to check the app for local availability and options before your trip.

Do I need a specific payment method to use Uber in Germany?

In Germany, you can link various payment methods to your Uber account, including credit cards, PayPal, and local options like SEPA direct debit. This flexibility makes it easy to pay for your rides.

Are Uber prices competitive with traditional taxis in Germany?

Uber prices in Germany are often competitive with traditional taxis, and you can estimate fares within the app before booking. However, prices may vary depending on demand, time of day, and location.

Is Uber legal in Germany?

Yes. Uber is legal in Germany. However, unlike in North America, it operates through a licenced taxi fleet.

Is there Uber in Cologne Germany?

Yes. Uber is available in Cologne, Germany.

Is there Uber in Dresden Germany?

No. Uber is not available in Dresden, Germany.

Is there Uber in Munich Germany?

Yes. Uber is available in Munich, Germany.

Can you get around Germany without a car?

Absolutely, you can easily get around Germany without a car. The country boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system, including trains, trams, buses, and subways, making it convenient to explore both cities and rural areas.

Plus, Germany’s walkable cities and well-connected transit options provide a fantastic car-free travel experience.

Is it safe to walk around Germany?

Yes, it’s generally safe to walk around Germany. The country is known for its low crime rate and well-maintained streets, and you can explore its cities and towns on foot with confidence.

However, as with any destination, you should always stay aware of your surroundings and take common-sense precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

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🚙 Uber in Germany – Final Thoughts

I hope this article helps you on your next trip to Germany! Just to recap while there is Uber in Germany in 2024, it may not be what you are used to in North America.

And while it may not be as widespread as in some other countries, it’s still a handy option for those looking for a convenient and familiar ride-hailing experience.

However, you can also get around Germany very easily by taking taxis, buses, or 🚗 renting a car. 

So, whether you opt for traditional taxis, public transport, or give Uber a try, getting around Germany is all part of the adventure. Happy travels! 🧳✈️

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