In an increasingly connected world, travelers often rely on familiar services to navigate unfamiliar territory. This is likely why, when visitors in Portugal explore the quaint Northern town of Braga or the sunny Algarve region, they have the same question, “Is there Uber in Portugal?”
The simple answer is yes, there is Uber in Portugal. However, it’s not your only (or even your best) option. Likewise, there are a few things you’ll want to know about the informal rules regarding Uber in Portugal and how accessible it is in certain cities.
So, here’s what to know about the availability of Uber and other transportation options in Portugal, ensuring you have the information needed for a seamless travel experience.
What is Uber?
Uber is a ridesharing app that allows users to request a ride from private drivers. The app estimates the fare for each ride up front and charges the rider’s credit card automatically after the ride is complete. This not only eliminates the need to have cash on hand but also adds an extra layer of safety, as all of your rides are registered in the app.
Today, Uber is available in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities around the world. In most cases, Uber is cheaper than a traditional taxi service. It’s also generally quicker and easier to use since riders can request a ride with just a few taps on their smartphone. And while many major cities in Portugal are walkable, it’s very likely you’ll end up using Uber or an Uber alternative quite a bit (Portugal is…hilly).
Where is Uber Available in Portugal?
First and foremost, yes, there is Uber in Portugal. Where can you find reliable Uber services, though? You can find Uber in many major Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. Uber is also available in some smaller towns and villages, such as Albufeira and Funchal. However, you might find fewer options and reduced availability than in the cities.
And honestly, if you’re in a smaller city and feel comfortable doing so, then we suggest supporting the local economy and riding in a taxi. We understand that that’s not always convenient, and depending on how you’re traveling (alone, for example, at night), you might find that Uber provides you with an extra layer of security that makes more sense.
To see if Uber is available in your area, simply open the app and enter your location. If there are no cars available, it means that Uber is not yet operating in your town or city or that there are currently no drivers available. However, this could change in the future, so it’s always worth checking back.
Uber in Lisbon
Uber is available in Lisbon, and there are always drivers around. You’ll find that even when traveling to places that are “off the beaten path” in Lisbon (like the nearby beach town of Costa da Caparica) or have needed a taxi super early, Uber is the only option.
However, Uber in Lisbon is slightly more expensive than other Uber alternatives. We’ll get into the price of Uber in Lisbon below, but the price difference has been up to twice as much in some cases, mostly for longer trips.
Insider Tip: Bolt is the best alternative to Uber in Lisbon and Porto. There are usually just as many drivers available on Bolt as you find on Uber, but rides are sometimes half the cost.
Uber in Porto
Uber isn’t as reliable in Porto as it is in Lisbon. Sure, Uber is available in Porto, but that doesn’t mean you can always find a driver.
For example, we needed to get to the train station early during the weekday morning commute and had trouble hailing a cab, so we opened Uber to see how long the wait would be. There was only one driver available, and it said it would take him 19 minutes to get to us.
The city itself is so small and walkable that if you can, it’s best to walk. When you get tired of the hills or if you have mobility issues, there are tons of regular taxis in Porto that you can hail.
The Verdict: Uber in Porto isn’t that reliable, but it’s also not that necessary. There are plenty of local taxis available, and Porto is small enough to walk. If you have mobility issues, you can hail a local taxi or hire a private driver.
Algarve
Uber is available at the Faro Airport in the Algarve, and you can book your Uber in advance to ensure that someone will be there at the airport to pick you up and take you to your destination.
Other cities in the Algarve where you’ll find Ubers available include Lagos, Albufeira, Vilamoura, Armação de Pêra, Quarteira, and the city of Faro itself. Similar to Porto, Ubers are less available in the Algarve than they are in Lisbon.
Is Uber Cheaper Than a Taxi in Portugal?
The price of a taxi in Portugal is similar to the price of an Uber. If you take enough taxis or Ubers in Portugal, you’ll find that prices vary depending on the location, time of day, and traffic conditions. Sometimes, taxis are cheaper, and in other cases, Uber and Uber alternatives are cheaper.
What’s important to know is that, in Portugal, taxi drivers are technically legally required to set a fare according to the taximeter.
If you get in a taxi and the driver is trying to charge you for a set fare, kindly request that they run the meter instead. It’s going to likely end up being cheaper that way. You can identify taxis in Lisbon easily by their black and mint green colors. If the green light on top of the taxi is lit, then it should be available.
Here’s what to expect from the cost of taxis compared to the costs of Uber in Portugal.
Average Cost of a Taxi in Portugal: Taxis in Portugal charge a flat fee of €3.25 and then €0.47 per km. Between 9 pm and 6 am, these fares increase slightly. You can expect to pay €3.90 as a flat fee and then €0.56 per km. There are standard waiting fees and even a €0.25 per minute fee if you have to sit and wait in stalled traffic.
Average Cost of Uber in Portugal: The average cost of Uber in Portugal depends on the time of day, your location, the local demand, and the distance you’re interested in traveling. We can give you some examples of trips taken with Bolt in Lisbon in 2024, though, to help provide you with an idea of the costs.
The photo on the left is from a Bolt trip from our apartment to the Lisbon Airport—costing under €7! The center photo is from a trip from IKEA to our apartment (to be fair, it’s quite close). The photo on the right is of a trip to one of our favorite restaurants in Lisbon, Allora.
As you can see, we rarely pay over €10 for an Uber or Bolt trip in Lisbon (the last time was actually on Christmas Eve, and we were traveling over 10 km from Praça do Comércio to the north of the city).
The Pros & Cons of Uber in Portugal vs. Local Taxis
Taxis in Portugal have a set fare depending on the time of day. With Uber and other ridesharing apps, the fares go up or down depending on demand and location.
This is why, if you head out to Bairro Alto in Lisbon and need an Uber home at midnight, you’ll have to pay a lot more than you would for a simple ride to a restaurant somewhere in Benfica at 6 pm on a Tuesday. With taxis in Portugal, you generally always know more or less what the cost will be.
However, with Uber, there’s the added benefit of being able to have a digital record of your trip and know the full cost upfront before you even get in the car.
Likewise, most people who don’t speak any Portuguese prefer Uber because it allows them to enter their destination address in the app without having to fumble through the process of explaining where they’re going to the driver.
Alternatives to Uber in Portugal
The best alternative to Uber in Portugal is to hail a cab. We always suggest supporting the local economy when possible while traveling through Europe, and that includes supporting taxi drivers. However, there are times when it’s difficult to flag down a taxi, and ridesharing apps are more convenient. Ridesharing apps like Uber are also convenient if:
- You’re traveling alone and want an added layer of safety
- You’re traveling late at night or early in the morning and want to ensure you’re getting into a trusted car
- You’re carrying a lot of items, and it’s easier to book a larger car on Uber or Bolt
- You don’t have cash and want to pay with a card on the app (although many taxis in Portugal now have card readers for card payments)
Ultimately, it comes down to your preferences. Just know that you have plenty of options as long as you have data or are connected to WiFi and can order your taxi. That said, we mentioned that Uber isn’t your only (or best) option. Budget-conscious travelers should check out a few of the most common alternatives to Uber in Portugal.
Bolt
Bolt is by far the best alternative to Uber in Portugal, at least in Lisbon. There seem to be more drivers on Bolt in Lisbon, and prices are typically been a bit cheaper than what the same ride would cost on Uber. However, most travelers from the United States seem hesitant to use the app because they’re unfamiliar with the service.
Note: If you previously traveled in Europe and used Taxify, then it’s helpful to know that they’ve rebranded as Bolt. It’s the same thing, just under a different name and updated (cooler) branding.
Similar to Uber, Bolt is a ridesharing app that allows users to request and pay for rides from licensed drivers. Bolt drivers are background-checked and insured, so riders can be confident that they will arrive at their destination safely.
In addition, the app offers features such as fare splitting and automatic payment, making it easy to pay for a ride without having to fumble for cash or credit cards.
Cabify
Founded in 2011, Cabify operates in cities across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. More than just transportation, Cabify also offers corporate solutions for business travel and delivery services in select cities.
However, it’s a great Uber alternative in certain cities in Portugal. Similar to Uber, you’ll find that there are fewer Cabify drivers available in smaller cities outside of Lisbon and Porto. It seems that most drivers here prefer Uber and Bolt and therefore are more inclined to use those apps to find riders.
How to Download Uber in Portugal
Uber is easy to download and set up. You’ll want to start by downloading the app from the App Store or the Google Play Store. Once the download is complete, you’ll open the app and be prompted to set up your account.
You can shorten this process by choosing to set up your account with Google or Apple or simply enter your details manually. You will also need to connect a form of payment and fill out your basic personal information. Then, you’ll be ready to start ordering Ubers and making your way around Portugal.
Portuguese Phrases to Use When Riding in an Uber in Portugal
You’ll find that nearly every single Uber and Bolt driver in Portugal speaks English. However, it’s recommended and respectful to at least try to speak Portuguese whenever you can. What are some Portuguese phrases you’ll need to know when riding in an Uber in Portugal?
To start, “Olá” (“Hello”) is always a good way to greet the driver, and “Como é o seu nome?” (“What is your name?”) can be a nice ice breaker. Perhaps the most helpful phrase, however, is “Por favor, leva-me para (destination),” which means “Please take me to (destination).”
During the ride, “Pode por favor ligar o ar condicionado/aquecimento?” (“Can you please turn on the air conditioner/heater?”) will come in handy, as well as “Pode por favor aumentar o som?” (“Can you please turn up the volume?”).
And once you’ve reached your destination, don’t forget to say “Obrigado/a” (“Thank you”) before leaving the car.
