Uber FAQs

  • Is Uber Cheaper Than Taking a Traditional Taxicab?
  • How Much Does an Uber Ride Cost?
  • Do I Need to Give My Uber Driver a Tip?
  • How Much Spending Cash Do Typical Uber Drivers Earn?
  • What Are the Differences Between UberPOOL, UberX, Uber XL, UberSelect and UberBlack?

Since many of our readers are new to using the Uber ride sharing app, we’ve compiled a list of 5 frequently asked questions about Uber — along with their answers. If you’re wondering about the different options offered by Uber, how much it costs to use Uber or how much you could make as an Uber driver, read on for the answers to these and other frequently asked questions.

Is Uber Cheaper Than Taking a Traditional Taxicab?

Uber is often cheaper than taking a taxicab, but it isn’t always. There are times when the demand for rides is higher; as a result, Uber prices may be much higher at those times. On New Year’s Eve the cost of Uber is high. Obviously, even at the higher rate, it’s still a better option than getting a DUI.

How Much Does an Uber Ride Cost?

Uber pricing depends on multiple factors including the distance you’re traveling, the length of time you’re in the car, the type of vehicle you’re riding in and current demand for rides. You can get a clearer idea of what your ride will cost by using an Uber fare estimator.

Do I Need to Give My Uber Driver a Tip?

No, there is no expectation that riders will tip their Uber drivers. However, you are free to offer your driver a tip if you wish, and your driver is free to accept it if s/he wishes. There are no rules in Uber prohibiting the acceptance of gratuities.

How Much Spending Cash Do Typical Uber Drivers Earn?

Our most frequently asked question about Uber is how much spending cash drivers can earn. This is a challenging question to answer, because there are so many variables. Uber drivers work differing numbers of hours at unpredictable rates. They pay their own expenses. Since expenses vary greatly depending on the car, location and other factors, it isn’t easy to make exact calculations about how much Uber drivers earn.

One thing is clear: driving for Uber is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Experts at the Washington Post calculated that average Uber drivers earn between $6.60 – $11.21 after paying expenses; in other words, they earn less than minimum wage in many cases. Apparently, the best use of Uber is to accept passengers when you’re already planning on driving somewhere to defray your own driving expenses rather than to expect Uber to take the place of a real job.

What Are the Differences Between UberPOOL, UberX, Uber XL, UberSelect and UberBlack?

Our readers frequently ask questions about the different vehicle options available through Uber. Another frequently asked question about Uber is which option is most popular. Some of the most popular options are uberPOOL, uberX and uber XL. Of all the available options in Uber, riders use uberX most frequently. If there are more than 2 and up to 4 passengers in your group, this is the option you’ll want to choose.

UberPOOL is a service intended to help you find carpooling opportunities. You can get paired up with a car that’s already heading in the same direction you want to go, which allows you to share the cost of a ride. Most of the time, this option ends up being far more cost-effective and earth-friendly than riding in a taxicab. However, it isn’t the quickest option, as the car might make multiple stops along the way to pick up or drop off other riders.

If you have to arrive at your requested location by a specific time, uberX is a better option for that particular trip. If you want to take luggage along for the ride or travel with more than one other person, you should opt for uberX or uberXL instead of uberPOOL.

If there are 5 or 6 passengers in your group, choose uberXL.

If your group includes up to 4 people and you are willing to pay a bit more to ride in the comfort of a mid-tier luxury sedan, choose uberSELECT. If your group includes up to 4 people, and you want to ride in a black luxury sedan with a black leather interior, choose uberBLACK.

Now you’re updated on how much Uber drivers earn, how the fares are typically calculated and what some of your vehicle options are. We hope this information has cleared up your frequently asked questions about Uber.