You’re in the midst of planning your big trip to Italy this summer, but there’s one looming question: Do they have Uber in Italy? While Uber, as a ride-sharing app, isn’t in Italy, there are still some Uber services available for travelers.
While traveling in Italy, I was surprised to find I could use my Uber app, but I wasn’t able to hail a ride the way I expected. Instead, it was called a luxury Uber, and I paid a fortune for my mistake.
Instead, I recommend visitors try taking public transportation, via city buses, metro lines, and regional trains. Alternatively, you can use BlaBlaCar, a carpool app that has a similar functionality to Uber.
So, as a traveler just hoping for an inexpensive and convenient way to get around, how do you manage traveling in Italy? This blog covers a few of our top Italian transportation suggestions and how you can use them.
What’s In This Article
- Why UberBlack and UberLux are the only Uber options available
- The best Uber alternatives in Italy, including BlaBlaCar and trains
- How to use buses, metros, and regional rail like a local
- When renting a car in Italy makes sense, and what you need to drive legally
TL;DR: While traditional Uber doesn’t operate in Italy, travelers can easily get around using trains, buses, BlaBlaCar, limited luxury Uber services, or rental cars, with public transportation often being the cheapest and easiest option.
Do They Have Uber in Italy?
No, there is no Uber in Italy, at least not in the way you expect. If you’re looking for Uber in Italy, the only two options are UberBlack and UberLux, which are luxury options aligned with professional chauffeur services.
Like I mentioned above, I made the mistake of requesting an Uber, expecting it to be a regular car, and instead got a chauffeur! The mistake was a nice travel experience, but pretty expensive.
In 2017, Italian taxi drivers protested the emergence of Uber in the country, citing an unfair advantage. The strong pushback forced government officials to ban certain ride-sharing apps.
Read next: 8 Beaches Near Rome: Drive or Take a Train to Get There
Does the Uber App Work in Italy?
While Uber doesn’t operate normal transportation services in Italy, the app does still work. The difference is that when you order a ride, you will get a driver who is professionally licensed as a chauffeur. These professionals have an NCC (Noleggio con conducente, or “rental with driver”) license displayed in their car.
The other difference between using Uber in the US and Italy is that you may not see the ride cost ahead of time. The one time I used Uber in Italy, I wanted to travel about 2 kilometers (about a 10-minute ride).
That chauffeur I mentioned earlier? I had no idea how much the ride was going to cost until after the trip was over. After I got out and received an alert from my bank, I was shocked to see the charge was close to $40!
4 Alternatives to Uber for Travelers in Italy
Don’t worry too much, although there is no Uber in Italy, you can still get around the country fairly easily.
Following the phrase when in Rome, this is a perfect opportunity to live life the same way Italians do. You’ll see that the majority of Italians are extremely comfortable with public transportation.
Exploring these options will help you feel more comfortable while circumnavigating Italy.
1. Try BlaBlaCar instead of Uber in Italy
Unfortunately, there is no standard Uber in Italy, but you can try BlaBlaCar instead. This is also a ride-sharing app, but I would say the experience is more like carpooling. The driver will type in their route, and if your drop-off location is in the same direction, they’ll pick you up.
For example, if you’re in Milan and want to travel to the beautiful wine region of Franciacorta, you might request rides from drivers heading toward Brescia. It’s sort of like digital hitchhiking.
You’ll be in the car with a driver who has earned ratings through the application, but they aren’t operating a professional transportation service. While there’s a fee for traveling, it’s usually significantly less expensive than Uber or Lyft.
Read next: 8 Day Trip Ideas from Milan
2. Do as the locals do and take a train
If you’re wondering the answer to “Is there an Uber in Italy?” and aren’t sure what to do about the lack of ride-sharing options, we have some suggestions.
In Italy, there are three main train operators, each with a slightly different service and price point.
- Trenord: This is the regional train. They will make the most stops and ultimately travel slower, but they are usually the cheapest option. These are ideal if you want to stop in a smaller town.
- Italo: The Italo train line is one of the fastest and most expensive options. I would say the quality is usually in line with Frecciarosa, though the latter is considered the best in the country.
- Frecciarosa: The “Red Arrow” is typically the most expensive train. It’s also the one with the most amenities. The seats are comfortable and have working AC and outlets built in.
Remember that Italians are well-known for their propensity to protest, so make sure to check the train strike schedule before you book.
3. Navigate your way through the city by bus
Many people in the United States grew up driving everywhere (myself included). We got so used to having our own vehicles that sometimes the thought of using public transportation doesn’t even cross our minds.
In Italy, the opposite usually happens. More people rely on public transportation, which means that most cities and popular towns will have robust infrastructure. Although there is no Uber in Italy, you might not even notice while traveling there!
For example, while exploring the lesser-known destinations in Venice, I got around easily on the vaporettos, the water taxis that cruise through the canals. When I lived in Brescia, I hopped on and off the bus system, which ran on a punctual, 15-minute schedule.
I know. Navigating foreign public transportation systems can be overwhelming and definitely a bit confusing. But I’m confident you don’t have to rely on Uber in Italy, or any other ride-share service, when you’ve got other options like the buses.
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into the more remote parts of Italy, I wrote an entire guidebook on Italy’s hidden destinations. I also included transportation intel that will make you feel like a local in no time.
4. Renting a car as an alternative to Uber in Italy
If you prefer the convenience of driving, then you can rent a car in Italy. That is exactly what I did during a 7-day road trip through Sicily.
Driving a car through mainland Italy is like level one, and driving in Sicily is level 10. The potholes, the signs that literally point you in two different directions, and not to mention the other drivers on the road who seem to have no fear of death.
But, like all things, it was a learning experience. After a while, I got very comfortable driving in Italy and even started to enjoy it!
If you have a valid U.S. driver’s license, then all you need to do is bring an official translation (you can get this through most AAA offices), and you can drive legally in the country of Italy.
