Is There Uber in India? (Best Taxi Apps in India 2024)

Are you wondering “Is there Uber in India?“

The short answer is yes, there is Uber in India!

Uber is available in all major cities in India. It works just like everywhere else, Uber in India is easy to book and the taxi fare is also very affordable.

I have lived and worked in India for over a year, and using Uber and other taxi apps makes it very easy to get around cities in India.

Apart from Uber, India also has other taxi apps, such as Ola and BluSmart. They work very similar to Uber, such as, you can book them through their app and get affordable prices for taxis.

Uber and Ola are available nation-wide in all major cities and you can choose between car taxi, tuktuk (auto) or motorbike taxi.

Here is everything you need to know about Uber and taxi apps in India!

Taxis in India

When taking a taxi in India you can either hail a taxi or book one through one of the taxi apps (Uber, Ola, BluSmart).

There are three different types of taxis in India: car taxi, tuktuk (auto) taxi or motorbike taxi. The auto taxi is the most popular but if it’s too hot and you prefer to travel with the air condition on, then booking a car taxi is the best option.

Uber and Ola work in all major cities across India, while BluSmart only works in Delhi, Gurugram and Bengaluru.

BluSmart is a slightly higher end version of Uber and its fleet is completely made up of electric vehicles. BluSmart is available in Delhi, Gurugram and Bengaluru. One advantage of BluSmart is that you can pre-book taxis and they have a no-cancellation policy so your taxi is guaranteed.

If you are just travelling in India, the best option is to pay by cash for the taxi, however, if you stay in India long-term, you can also connect your bank card to the taxi apps.

If you just hail a taxi on the spot, there is no fixed price, so the drivers will just quote a price. If you take a regular taxi, you will have to bargain a little bit as the drivers tend to quote a price which is higher than what the general fare would be.

Types of Taxis in India

• Car: Booking through taxi apps or hailing down as usual
• Tuktuk (Auto) Taxi: Tuktuks (Auto) are a popular way to get around cities in India. They are slightly cheaper than the car taxis but also reliable.
• Motorbike Taxi: Booking only through taxi apps (Uber, Ola)

Taxi Apps in India

Uber in India

• Available: all major cities nation-wide
• Uber on the Apple Store, Uber on Google Play

Ola in India

• Available: all major cities nation-wide
• Ola on the Apple Store, Ola on Google Play

BluSmart in India

• Available: Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru
• BluSmart on the Apple Store, BluSmart on Google Play

How Much Does the Taxi Cost in India?

Taxis are very affordable in India as opposed to taking taxis in Europe for example. The prices vary whether you book it through a taxi app or whether you hail a taxi on the spot.

It is the most affordable option to book taxis through taxi apps and the prices are fixed, so you don’t have to bargain. If you hail a taxi, you will be quoted a higher price so you may have to bargain a little bit.

General Taxi Prices in Delhi

• Motorbike Taxi: up to INR 100
• Tukuk (Auto) Taxi: INR 100-200
• Taxi (Car): INR 200+

Is it Safe to Use Taxis in India?

India can have a bad reputation for safety, especially for solo female travellers. Taking a taxi day-time on your own is safe but you should be cautious if you plan to take a taxi at night.

If you have safety concerns, it is better to take the tuktuk (auto) as it more open than a car. The car can lock from the inside, and while the tuktuk (auto) has a door, it is easier to get out if you sense something is off.

If you are unfamiliar with the routes, make sure to keep track on the Uber app or google maps to make sure the taxi is going the right way.

Taking a Taxi at Night

The taxi apps usually stop working late at night, so afterwards the only taxis available are the ones that you can hail.

If you have to take a taxi late at night, it is good to be cautious. If you take a taxi at night, it is better to travel in a group or make sure your friends are there when you take the taxi and check with the driver that he will drive you home.

When taking a taxi at night on my own, my friends would even take the number of the taxi driver and ask the driver to call them once he dropped me to make sure that he drove me home safely.

Motorbike Taxis

Uber runs the UberMoto service for motorbike taxis. It is the most affordable way to get around, however, traffic in India can be chaotic and busy, so due to road accidents, this is the least safe taxi option.

Nevertheless, drivers in India are used to the traffic. If your driver is driving too fast, you can always ask gently to drive slower. Usually, you can say something like “Sorry, I am not used to the traffic in India and can be scary for me. Could you please go a little bit slower?”

Tips for Using Taxis in India

Have the Exact Amount of Cash

The drivers most often do not have change with them (or will say that they do not have change) so it is best if you have the exact amount of cash. You can always tip some extra if you feel like.

If you stay long-term in India, you can also connect your bank card to the taxi apps and pay online.

Get an Indian SIM Card

To book taxis though the taxi apps, you will need to get a Indian SIM card. You can get one at the airport after you arrive or at one of the many shops in cities.

Check the Number Plate of Taxi

Before getting into the taxi, always make sure to check the number plate of the taxi to know that it is the right car.

Once you get in the taxi, check the name of the driver and confirm your destination with the driver.

FAQs: Uber in India

Is Uber available in India?

Yes, Uber is available in India in all major cities. Uber in India works just like all around the world. Once you download the app, you can book affordable taxi rides.

For the taxi fare, you can pay by cash or connect your bank card to the app for online payments.

Can I use Uber in Delhi?

Yes, Uber is available in Delhi and all other major cities in India. Other taxi apps that are available in Delhi include Ola and BluSmart.

Is Uber expensive in India?

No, Uber is not expensive in India. Taxi apps like Uber and Ola in India are the most affordable options for taxis as opposed to hailing a regular taxi.

If you hail a regular taxi, the prices are not set and you may have to negotiate a lower price or accept the price quoted by the driver.

Can I use my US Uber in India?

Yes, you can use US Uber in India. Uber is a global app and you can use the same Uber app in all countries where Uber services available.

Can I pay cash for Uber in India?

Yes, you can pay cash for Uber in India. You can also connect you bank card to the Uber app and pay for the taxi fare through card payment.

If you pay by cash, you should prepare the exact amount of cash as the driver may not be able to give back change.

Is Ola available in India?

Yes, Ola is available in India and it is one of the most popular taxi apps in India. Some other taxi apps in India include Uber and BluSmart.

Is Grab available in India?

No, Grab is not available in India. However, there are other reliable taxi apps in India that work great, these include Uber, Ola and BluSmart.

Conclusion

If you are wondering about taxi apps in India and want to know the answer to the questions “Is there Uber in India?”, then don’t worry. Uber is available in India as well as other taxi apps such as Ola and BluSmart.

Taking Uber and other taxi apps in India is an affordable way to get around cities in India. The prices are fixed and you don’t have to bargain for taxi prices as opposed to hailing a regular taxi.