Is There Uber in Mexico City? Everything You Need to Know
Clearly, those who are in Mexico do not ask this question because they already know the answer. Therefore, tourists, before traveling to this beautiful capital, wonder: Is there Uber in Mexico City?
This is the most frequently asked question, obviously, for those tourists heading to the Mexican capital.
Let’s remember that Uber calls itself a technology company, meaning they use a platform for service providers to offer a service to users.
Thus, using the application, users who need transportation can easily find partner drivers offering this service.
Uber offers an additional option to get around the city, with more style, safety, and comfort than ever before. Uber is present in over 310 cities around the world.
Uber began operating in Mexico in October 2013, and from the very beginning, as in other countries, it gained significant relevance.
If you want to learn more about Mexico and how to plan a vacation, read the following article: When Is the best time to go to Mexico.
Although it wasn’t an easy battle with the taxi drivers in the cities where it started operating.
According to the consulting firm Public First, in a report on the impact of Uber on the Mexican economy and society, it is estimated that the economic value of the platform was $73.13 billion pesos in 2022 alone.
This value encompasses the earnings of partner drivers and delivery partners, the dynamism of businesses registered on its platform, and the multiplier effect in the intermediation of mobility and delivery services, not counting the company’s direct investment in the country.
Is there Uber in Mexico City? As we have read, Uber arrived in Mexico about 11 years ago, and since then, it has marked a path of successes and some downsides, but it has proven its quality.
The most interesting thing about Uber is that it has come to conquer the market and become one of the strongest operators in the world.
For an idea of Uber in Mexico, it is estimated that it saves Mexicans over 63 million hours annually, translating into valuable time that people can invest in productive, family, or leisure activities.
Furthermore, the economic impact of the platform is palpable, with a consumer surplus estimated at $468.41 billion pesos in 2022, combining the apps Uber and Uber Eats.
In 2023, Uber planned to expand its service in such a large city, thus presenting some plans.
To improve the experience in Mexico City, “Express” will be introduced, a pilot service that promises to expedite the dispatch of prepared food orders to reduce delivery times to just 20 to 25 minutes within certain areas.
This benefits neighborhoods like Cuauhtémoc and Roma Norte with restaurants that will offer specialized menus for this mode.
Is there Uber in Mexico City?
In Mexico City, Uber’s presence is widespread and quite safe, and so far, incidents are low. In Mexico, as in all countries, you need to highlight the Uber App on your phone and connect to the service.
If you are traveling abroad and need to use Uber, don’t worry, as you can use it wherever you are as long as the service is available in that country.
In fact, even if you don’t have an Uber account yet, you can still download the application to your smartphone and create an account while outside your country. Clearly, the question of whether there is Uber in Mexico City has been answered.
How to use Uber in Mexico To install Uber.
if you don’t have it yet, you must:
- Connect your device to the Internet.
- Update your phone number in the application: The phone number you traveled with may be different from the one you normally use.
- Choose the type of service. At the bottom of the application’s map, a slider bar will appear where you can specify the type of service you want to request.
- When the slider bar is under the type of service you want to select (e.g., “UberX”), tap it to select it. Determine your location. After choosing the type of service, select your location on the application map.
- You can also type your address directly into the search bar at the top of the screen.
- When the application shows you the correct address, tap the button that says “Confirm location.”
- Enter your destination and tap the “Request” button.
- If you are informed of a fare increase, you will need to accept it before you can confirm the request.
- If you don’t have Internet or a phone number where the driver can call you if they can’t find you.
Uber Rates and Payment Methods in Mexico:
Many data points are used to calculate the fare, and in some countries, it is done in advance.
In the United States, upfront fares depend on the estimated distance and duration of the trip.
The estimate can vary based on demand and actual factors such as traffic.
But in Mexico, as in almost all countries, there is the option to pay in cash. At the end of your trip, the driver will tell you the total amount to be paid in cash.
Make sure to have the exact amount, or if necessary, ask the driver if they can provide change.
READ HERE: Is Oaxaca Mexico Safe?
Remember that when a user chooses to pay in cash, they can complete their trip without needing a credit card or a bank account. At the end of the trip, the user pays the fare in cash to the Uber driver.
There are other Uber payment methods in Mexico City, such as:
In Mexico, Uber offers various payment methods for its users. Some of the available options are:
Credit or debit card: This is the most common way to pay on Uber. Users can link a credit or debit card to their account and use it to pay for rides.
PayPal: Another option to pay on Uber is through PayPal. Users can link their PayPal account to their Uber account and use it to pay for rides.
Uber Cash: This option allows users to load balance onto their Uber account using a credit or debit card. They can then use this balance to pay for rides.
Additionally, since 2023, Mercado Pago has been integrated among the payment options for Uber in Mexico.
To know an estimated cost, Uber has the option to make a trip estimate based on the previous average, so people can budget accordingly. Although it may not be exact, it is very useful.
Different Uber Services Available in Mexico City:
UberX: UberX rides are a great option when you have errands to run or need to schedule an appointment.
Whether you need to run an errand or go to the airport, you can request an UberX ride to get where you need to go. This option can accommodate up to 4 passengers (1 in the front seat and 3 in the back).
UberXL: With this service, you can travel in four-door vans or minivans that can accommodate up to six passengers (plus the driver). If several Uber users are traveling together, the fare can be split.
Uber Comfort: The cars available for this type of Uber are four-door sedans and have air conditioning. It’s an ideal option for everyday use.
Uber Black: The cars available in this category have leather or vinyl interiors and air conditioning. The maximum capacity is four passengers plus the driver, who may choose to dress for the occasion.
uberPOOL: You share rides with another user going to the same area as you, and you also share the cost of the ride. Keep in mind that the driver may drop off the other user first if their destination is before yours on the route.
Uber Pet: When you book a ride with Uber Pet, you can travel with a driver who is comfortable having you and your pet in their vehicle.
Uber Planet: On Uber Planet, this day is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and care for our common home.
General Safety Tips for Using Uber in Mexico City:
Now that the question of whether there is Uber in Mexico City is resolved, the next question is about safety. Uber provides its users with several tips to consider:
- Request a ride without leaving your location.
- Verify ride details.
Each time you travel with the Uber app, verify the license plate, make, and model of the car, and the driver’s photo that appears in the app to ensure you get into the correct car.
- Ask the driver to confirm your name.
Your name appears in the driver’s app, and the driver’s name appears in your app.
- Ride in the back seat.
- Use the back seat whenever possible, especially if you are traveling alone.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Share trip details with loved ones.
- During the trip, tap “Share Trip Status” in the app to send the driver’s name, photo, license plate, and location to a family member or friend.
- Protect your personal information.
In specific areas, Uber is investing in technology to anonymize your phone number when you use the app to call or message the driver.
- Trust your intuition.
- If at any point you feel you are in an emergency situation, call 911 using the emergency button available in the app.
- Be kind and show respect.
- Leave feedback about the trip.
After each trip, you are asked to rate it in the app.
And remember, on every trip, you can tap the shield icon in the app to access Uber’s Safety Toolkit and get help whenever you need it.