To Uber or to taxi? That is the question. Find the answer with our comparison.
Can't decide whether an Uber or a taxi is the best way for you to get from A to B?
We've got your back and have compared both services' vehicles, fares, locations, fees, deals and more to take the guesswork out of your decision.
Happy travels.
TL;DR: Our verdict
The winner: If price is your driver, Uber wins the war. It's a much more cost-effective option and one that's more diverse, offering the option to deliver food via Uber Eats and to pay via online payment transfer services like PayPal. It also offers customer discounts.
Taxis, however, still have their place, being more widely available and better equipped for families, with the option to request vehicles with baby seats.
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Uber vs taxi in Australia
| Feature | Uber | Taxi | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where is it available in Australia? | All major cities, as well as many regional cities including the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Byron Bay and Newcastle. | Every city and most towns around Australia. | Taxi |
| What types of cars can I book? |
Additionally, all vehicles must be 10 years old or less. |
| Both |
| Does it take cash? | No. | Yes. | Taxi |
| Does it take card? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Does it take PayPal? | Yes. | No. | Uber |
| Does it deliver food? | Yes, through Uber Eats. | No. | Uber |
| Does it take dogs? | Assistance animals are permitted. The driver can choose whether to accept other dogs and pets. | Pet-friendly taxis are available and should be requested when booking. | Both |
| Do fares include GST? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Does it provide child seats? | No. | Some taxis have child seats. You should request one when booking. | Taxi |
| Does it pick up from airports? | Yes, however, in some airports you must walk to designated passenger pick-up zones. | Yes. Taxi stands are generally outside airport arrivals. | Both |
| Does it offer maxi cabs? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Are there discounts? | Yes. New users are entitled to a first-ride credit. Other riders can at times be offered targeted deals. | No. | Uber |
| How do I book? | Download and use the Uber app | Hail off the street |
Who offers the best price?
We checked the price of a ride from Sydney's Central Station to the Royal Botanic Gardens with both Uber and a taxi using Uber's Fare Estimate tool and the taxi fare calculator Taxi Fare.
Uber quoted a rate of $10-$13, while a taxi was estimated to cost around $16. These quotes do not include any additional fees or charges and were for pick-up ASAP on 12 July 2018.
Here's a breakdown of fees and charges, based on Sydney, NSW rates. These may vary from city to city.
| Fare | Uber | Taxi | Which is cheaper? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fare | $2.50 | $3.60 | Uber |
| Booking fee | $0.55 | $2.50 | Uber |
| Minimum fare | $9.00 | - | Taxi |
| Charge per minute | $0.40 | - | Taxi |
| Charge per kilometre | $1.45 |
| Uber |
| Cancellation fee | $10 | - | Taxi |
The verdict?
Although taxis do not charge per minute or for cancellations, their rate per kilometre is significantly higher than Uber's. Ultimately, Uber offers the lowest fares.
Uber vs taxi: Who won?
We're giving this one to Uber for offering more bang for your buck with cheaper fares in a like-for-like comparison. It also offers users discounts where taxis do not. Taxis do have their place though, providing a more curated experience with the option to request a car with a baby seat and accepting cash as a form of payment.
Here's a side-by-side look at each car hire company's winning points:
Uber
- Accepts PayPal as a payment option.
- Delivers food via Uber Eats.
- Offers first-time customer discounts. Loyal customers might also receive targeted deals.
- Overall cheaper rates compared to a taxi.
Taxi
- Available in more destinations around Australia.
- Accepts cash as a form of payment.
- Some vehicles have child seats.
