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Is Uber Available in Australia?

Yes, Uber is available!

Uber operates in major cities and many regional centers, but not everywhere. Airport pickup locations vary, so follow the live directions and rideshare signs for that airport.

Uber is the simplest familiar first choice in Australia's major cities and many regional centers, but coverage is not universal and airport pickup points differ by terminal.

Follow the live in-app directions rather than assuming the pickup is outside baggage claim. DiDi is a useful price and wait-time comparison in its listed service cities. 13cabs dispatches licensed taxis, including wheelchair-accessible and MAXI vehicles, and can be useful where a taxi rank or formal taxi service suits the journey better. Shebah is a specialist prebooked option for women and children, including selected child-seat and unaccompanied-child services, but availability is thinner and varies by place and time.

Ola ceased Australian operations on April 12, 2024, so old comparisons naming it are obsolete. A visitor can normally use an existing Uber account and card, while local services may need SMS verification and can be less friendly to a foreign number. Recent traveler reports describe 13cabs bookings with no vehicle arriving and occasional confusion between app payment and driver payment. Treat a prebooking as a request until a driver is assigned, keep a fallback for an early flight, and never pay twice.

Compare the final estimate, pickup point, cancellation terms and vehicle type before confirming. Match the registration, driver and car in the app, keep communication on-platform and avoid unsolicited airport drivers.

Ride Hailing Apps in Australia

Uber app icon

UberEssential

The broadest familiar ride app for major cities, airports and many regional centers across Australia.

Pro tip: Airport pickup zones vary by terminal. Follow the current in-app route and rideshare signs, then match the registration and driver before boarding.

DiDi app icon

DiDi

A current rideshare alternative in its listed Australian cities, useful for comparing pickup times and fares.

Pro tip: Check the official city list before relying on DiDi outside a major center, and keep Uber or a local taxi option available.

13cabs app icon

13cabs

Licensed taxi booking in major Australian cities, with standard, MAXI and accessible vehicles where available.

Pro tip: A scheduled request does not guarantee that a driver has accepted. Allow a fallback for time-critical trips and do not pay again if the app already charged you.

Shebah app icon

Shebah

A specialist prebooked ride service for women and children, with child-seat options in supported areas.

Pro tip: Book well ahead and confirm that the required seat and service are available in your area. Coverage and driver supply are not comparable with Uber.

These apps need data

Guac eSIM covers Australia with plans from $0.58 per GB. Install it before you land and activate instantly.

A data eSIM gives you internet, not a local phone number, so it cannot receive SMS verification codes.

Get an eSIM

Sources

Traveler reports

  1. 7.reddit.com