In Short: Uber's service in Barcelona is spotty at best due to its ambiguous legality. Better to use taxis in Barcelona, they are plentiful, efficient, and cheap. Thank you SO MUCH Scudder, Enric and Carlos.
People Also Ask
In Madrid and Barcelona, we checked the Uber prices, and they were as much or more than the regular taxi.
Is Uber in Spain safe? In general, it is safe to use Uber in Spain. Although the platform has wound up in hot water a few times over the years, most travelers feel more comfortable using Uber due to the tracking and other safety features.
Cabify – the best Uber alternative in SpainIt operates much like Uber, with a similar interface and pick-up system that displays the upfront cost prior to booking. In addition to the Cabify Classic, you can hail luxury and tailored rides including Cabify ASAP, Cabify Plus, Cabify Group, and Cabify Kids.
Yes, taxis are cheaper than Uber in Barcelona.It's a welcome change from other big cities like London, where you'll pay more for a black cab. Expect to pay about 15% less when you hail a cab rather than pre-booking on Uber.
Taxi drivers expect no tip and are happy if you round up in their favor. A tip of 5% of the total fare is considered generous. Long rides or extra help with luggage may merit a tip, but if you're short of change, you'll never hear a complaint.
Taxis in Spain are generally safe and easy to find, especially in major cities. In small towns, it is best to look up the taxi hotline beforehand and dial a cab when you need it. As compared to most western European cities, taxis in Spain are reasonably priced.
Cabify's prices and perksAlthough taxis are pretty cheap and very well regulated in Barcelona, Cabify provides an even cheaper option than the taxi service. Unlike Uber, Cabify charges by distance traveled and the quickest route is always chosen, so the price doesn't change depending on traffic.
Cabify – the best Uber alternative in SpainOperating much like Uber, Cabify is one of the most commonly used alternatives to Uber in Spain. Cabify is available in Alicante, A Coruña, Barcelona, Benidorm, Madrid, Málaga, Marbella, Murcia, Santander, Seville, Valencia, and Zaragoza.
Uber in Spain operates in exactly the same way that it does in every country. Therefore, if you already have the app downloaded and an active account – away you go.
Get around with ease on Spain's train networkThe best and fastest way to travel long distances in Spain is by taking the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), which uses Madrid as its principal terminal and travels to many of the country's principal cities. AVE trains are comfortable, efficient and incredibly fast.
Uber said Thursday that it would suspend its service in Barcelona. It follows a ruling from the regional Catalan government that there has to be a 15-minute delay between a passenger booking a call and being picked up. This naturally dents one of the major commercial advantages of ride-hailing apps: speed.
All vehicles accept payment by credit card and can also be paid in cash (taxi drivers are required to have coins in sufficient quantity to facilitate change to the user up to the amount of 20 euros). It should be noted that some taxis have wifi service available to passengers.
How much does it cost from Madrid Airport to city center? Madrid airport taxis charge a flat fee of 30€/30$ for a transfer to the city center, while the ticket for the Express Bus 203 costs 5€/5$.
Train: Train travel is a popular way to get around. It is really convenient, though service is very limited on the main line, the Spanish Speed Train (AVE), running only from Catalonia to Andalusia and crossing over Madrid. The AVE is more expensive than other train options, though all are affordable for most students.
Tipping taxis or drivers in SpainIf you're using a Spanish rideshare service (like Cabify and BlaBlaCar), tipping is not required. But if you receive especially good service, you can leave a tip in the app afterward.
Cabify charges per kilometer of the optimal route. This means that it optimizes the distance between two points so the passenger is paying for the most direct route regardless of the actual route chosen by the driver. Uber, in comparison, charges according to minutes and kilometers spent inside the vehicles.
As with restaurants, it's not necessary to tip cab drivers in Spain. There's no expectation to do so, though it would be well received. Again, tipping is entirely at your discretion and is used as a marker for a job well done.
Compared to long road trips and all of the inconveniences of short flights, it's easy to get around Spain by train. Instead of sitting on a cramped bus or spending your time going to and from airports, the trains offer a quick and comfortable way to enjoy the ride to Spain's dazzling cities.