Getting across town isn’t always easy.
Even cities with extensive public transportation networks can be difficult to navigate. Maybe there are linguistic barriers to taking metros and buses. Maybe the maps are unintuitive and confusing. Maybe there are conflicting suggestions on how to get from Point A to Point B.
When we leave home, we also leave behind our cars and favorite rideshare apps.
The farther from home that you wander, the more research you need to do when it comes to hailing a cab. From escaping tourist zones to getting to the airport on time, there are dozens of reasons to keep rideshare apps on your radar.
But which should you use? And where?
I recommend researching the location(s) where you’re heading.
I live in Barcelona where Uber is banned but other rideshare apps like FREENOW and Cabify work, for example. (While Uber is the standard in many US cities, it’s notorious internationally for its business model, which focuses on growth at all costs. By notorious I mean controversial.)
That being said, you can still use Uber in many places. I just recommend you take a closer look at which rideshare apps locals are taking.
For the US & Southeast Asia: Uber
Uber is the most familiar ridesharing app for most Americans—and you’re in luck. Uber is available in over 35 countries around the world, from Singapore to Australia to the US.
Here’s where I recommend using Uber:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore)
For Europe: FREENOW
I use FREENOW in Barcelona—and I’ve found the rideshare app works in most European countries. If you’re heading to Europe, I highly recommend this app. It works just like any other rideshare app, allowing you to get around with a few clicks on your smartphone.
Here’s where you can use FreeNow in Europe:
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Ireland
- Spain
- Italy
- France
- Poland
- Austria
- Greece
For South America: Cabify
Cabify originated in Spain back in 2011 but has since expanded its reach globally. Most of my South American friends still use Cabify here in Spain, but it’s more popular across the Atlantic. If you’re heading to South America, Cabify will work in just about any location you travel. (Note: Cabify no longer serves Brazil.)
Here’s where it works:
- Chile
- Argentina
- Uruguay
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Peru
For East Asia & Australia: DiDi-Rider
Also known as Didi, this rideshare app serves two massive countries on opposite sides of the world: China and Brazil. (Random, I know.) Thankfully, the platform is available in English, meaning you can use it easily to hail a car in either country. Randomly, Didi is also a popular choice in Australia.
Here’s where I would use Didi:
- China
- Brazil
- Australia
Global Pick: Bolt
Here we have our global champion. Bolt operates rideshares around the world, along with bike and scooter rentals in certain cities. Its goal is to offer the cheapest rideshares in any city, which means you can find some serious deals on this app. Its focus for now is expanding in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.