The best uber alternatives in latvia
Uber isn’t here yet. So what else is there?
Uber hasn’t officially sunk its claws into Latvia… yet.
But if you’re visiting the country, you’re probably going to be justifiably nervous about hailing a cab from the street. After all, taxi scams are among the most common scams in Eastern Europe, and as a foreigner, you’re particularly vulnerable.
That’s why numerous Uber alternatives have popped up around the country. If you want to hail a cab with your phone, here are the best Uber alternatives and rideshare apps to use in Latvia.
Yandex Taxi
Yandex Taxi is pretty much the Uber of Eastern Europe — in fact, they even merged with the company in 2018 in certain parts of Europe, expanding their offerings to include Yandex.Eats and a self-driving car operation.
In Latvia, however, they simply provide taxi services. Rates are among the lowest you can find in the city, and hailing a cab through the service couldn’t be easier. Simply download the app, enter where you’re going, select where you’d like to be picked up, and you’re good to go. Once the ride is done, you can rate your driver; every driver’s rating is visible before they pick you up.
Most drivers speak Russian, though some will have a passing understanding of English. Be sure to Google around for promo codes for your first ride — there are always discounts floating around the internet!
Yandex Taxi is available in both the App Store and Google Play Store.
Bolt (formerly Taxify)
Bolt is the biggest competitor to Yandex Taxi in the country. With comparable rates, these two companies are pretty much neck and neck when it comes to providing taxi services throughout the major urban areas.
There’s not much to say about Bolt specifically. It’s a fine service that operates in a similar manner to Yandex Taxi, though more drivers speak Latvian than Russian. I would recommend downloading both apps and checking availability between the two.
Of course, also search around for a discount — you’re sure to get a deal off your first ride!
Here is Bolt’s official website. The app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Subscribe to the mailing list
Get updates from Eastern Europe and more, including guides, tips, and news!
BalticTAXI
Operated by Latvian airline AirBaltic, BalticTAXI is another taxi service operating throughout Latvia (but primarily in Riga).
BalticTAXI sets itself apart with its range of taxi offerings: you can get a taxi with a bike mount, a taxi with baby seats, or a big taxi if you’re traveling with up to eight people. Every taxi is also equipped with Wi-Fi, which is pretty cool.
There is an app for both iOS and Android, but it doesn’t have the best of reviews. Instead, it’s probably best to call a BalticTAXI the old-fashioned way: over the phone. Their number is +371 20 008 500. If WhatsApp is more your style, they’ve got that too and the number is the same: +371 20 008 500.
Here is their website for more information about the company. Fair warning, it’s a pretty obnoxious website to use, and it may take a while to get the information you’re looking for.
Panda Taxi / Riga Transfer
Panda Taxi is a local company in Riga, and for a local company, it offers very competitive rates.
Ordering a Panda Taxi can be done either over the phone at +371 27 24 24 24, a number that will connect you to Riga Transfer, which operates a bunch of different cab companies. However, if you’re looking for a rideshare app, they’ve got that too in the form of TaxSee (available for iOS and Android). TaxSee operates like Bolt and Yandex Taxi — enter where you’re going and a car will be ready to pick you up and take you there.
The cost of using a service like Panda Taxi is that wait times can be pretty long. Still, it’s nice to support a local company, and the service they provide isn’t half bad.
Panda Taxi can be visited on the web here.
Red Cab
Another local company, Red Cab offers rides throughout Riga and beyond. With over 70 years in business, they’ve proven themselves as one of the best cab operators in the local biz.
Ordering a Red Cab is as easy as downloading their app, which is available on both iOS and Android. If you’d like to order over the phone instead, you can do that too: +371 8383 is their local number, or you can call +371 60008383 if you’re using a number from outside of Latvia.
Red Cab also offers a variety of cabs, including large cabs and cabs with wheelchair access. Be sure to specify which cab you require when you’re ordering.
Bike rental
Cities in Latvia are bikeable, so if the weather’s nice, why not ignore cars altogether and opt for a two-wheeler?
Bikes are available for rental pretty much everywhere. In Riga, companies like Riga Bicycle and Riga Bike will happily rent you a bike for either just a few hours or around €10 for the day.
Outside of Riga, you will also have plenty of options, though these places don’t usually have a web presence. As you walk around the downtown area of wherever you’re staying, you’re sure to see a sign or two about bike rental — just pop inside and ask for their rates!
Are there any services I missed? Leave a comment down below!
Keep reading
The Top 7 Cheapest (and Easiest!) Places to Learn Russian
The Top 7 Cheapest (and Easiest!) Places to Learn Russian The places where you can learn – and actually use – Russian. Russian ain’t easy. If you’re only used to speaking English, approaching a language like Russian may seem like a daunting task. It’s got weird...
Five East German Day Trips You Can Still Take Today
Five East German Day Trips you Can Still Take Today Socialist tourist hotspots that still rock in 2019. For many years, the Berlin Wall was the singular icon of East Germany. The East Germans were a people literally walled off from the rest of the world, it was...
How to Move to Tbilisi – Visas, Housing, and More
HOW TO MOVE TO TBILISI – Visas, Housing, and more Navigating bureaucracy in Georgia's capital might be tough – but it's so worth it. Tbilisi is — without a doubt — one of the coolest cities in the world today. With a low cost of living and incredible music, art, and...
0 Comments