Uber or Ola in India: The Cheapest Ride-Sharing Option

In the land of tuk-tuks and 80s cabs, ridesharing is the new kid on the block. Uber and Ola are the major players in the ridesharing market of India. But, which option is best for you while traveling in India? Read along to find out different options provided by Uber and Ola and which is ideal for you based on different circumstances.

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Note: The fares and car options differ in different Indian cities. For simplicity, I am taking New Delhi as the sample city to compare the prices and car options

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Uber Ridesharing Options in India

1. Uber Moto

An option specially designed for the Indian market. Ever wanted to experience the authenticity of a motorcycle or moped ride in India? Uber has launched Uber Moto, a pilot motorbike-sharing program in different Indian cities. An Uber Moto can be booked in Delhi between 7:30 AM and 10:30 PM. The pricing is as follows

Base Fare: Rs. 15 |Per KM: Rs. 2 | Per Min: Rs. 1 | Minimum: Rs. 20

Uber Moto is the cheapest option for a single traveler without too much luggage. It is also a fine way to experience Indian lifestyle since a majority of Indians ride motorbikes rather than cars. Another thing to consider is that a motorbike is a faster way to travel than a car in the jam-packed cities of India. Hence, it is a better option during rush hours

2. Uber Pool

Uber Pool lets you share your ride with 1-2 passengers that are going in the same direction as you. As a result of sharing your ride, the price drops between 20% to 50% and it does not add too much time to your trip. The cars used under this plan are hatchbacks.

Uber Pool pricing model isn’t shared since it follows dynamic pricing model. Uber Pool passengers are allowed to bring one person with them. That is, if you are booking an Uber Pool then you can have one more fellow traveler with you who can travel with you in the Uber Pool car. Therefore, UberPool is the cheapest option for two travelers without a lot of luggage

3. Uber GO

Uber GO is the most basic private ridesharing option by Uber. Uber GO offers rides in hatchback cars like Ford Figo, Chevy Sail, Suzuki Ritz and other similar sized cars. The rates are as follows

Base Fare: Rs. 42.4 | Per KM: Rs. 6.36 | Per Min: Rs. 1.59 | Min: Rs. 63.6 | Cancellation Fee: Rs. 63.6

Uber GO is ideal for four or fewer travelers with limited or no luggage since the hatchback cars don’t have a lot of luggage space

4. UberX

UberX is slightly more expensive than UberGO. The reason behind the higher price is an upgrade in the quality of cars. UberX offers rides in sedans with more leg room and ample luggage space like Toyota Prius, Honda Accord, Swift Dzire and other sedans.

Base Fare: Rs. 58.3 | Per KM: Rs. 9.54 | Per Min: Rs. 1.59 | Min: Rs. 73.14 | Cancellation Fee: Rs. 73.14

UberX is the best option for four or fewer travelers with luggage. It is also a good choice if you riding long distance within a city and desire some comfort

5. UberXL

UberXL, yes as you guessed, is the next obvious upgrade in the car framework – an SUV. The most commonly used SUVs under UberXL are Toyota Innovas, Suzuki Ertigas, and Mahindra Xylo

Base Fare: Rs. 84.8 | Per KM: Rs. 15.9 | Per Min: Rs. 2.12 | Min: Rs. 159 | Cancellation Fee: Rs. 106

UberX is the best option for five to six travelers

6. Uber from or to the Airport

Airport being miles outside the city-center in most of the Indian cities nowadays, has its own Uber category

Base Fare: Rs. 84.8 | Per KM: Rs. 15.9 | Per Min: Rs. 2.12 | Min: Rs. 159 | Cancellation   Fee: Rs. 106

NOTE: Uber Airport prices vary vastly given the diverse distance between different airports and city centers

Cheapest Way From Delhi International Airport (India) to Central Delhi

Ola Ride Options in India

1. Ola Bike

A motorbike ride-sharing option that is ideal for a solo traveler without too much luggage

Base Fare: Rs. 20 first 3 km | Per KM: Rs. 5 | Per Min: Rs. 1 (post 10 min)

2. Ola Auto (tuk-tuk)

Always wanted to get into one of those legendary tuk-tuks? But had fears of getting overcharged? Worry not, Ola has added tuk-tuks (autos) to its fleet. Now, you can take a tuk-tuk at government-determined rates without being cheated. The government determined rates vary in different cities. But, cost-wise taking a tuk-tuk is surely a good option for three or fewer travelers without too much luggage. And, it is an authentic experience that you will share with folks back home. Ola charges Rs. 10 to 20 as service fee for booking a tuk-tuk

3. Ola Erick

e-Rickshaws are the modern and greener take on the traditional tuk-tuks. e-Rickshaws are battery powered and can seat up to 4 people. Now, you can book e-Rickshaws (Erick) using Ola

Base Fare: Rs. 25 for 1st km | Per KM: Rs. 8

Ideal for four or fewer people traveling a short distance and not in a hurry

4. Ola Micro

Ola Micro is the most basic private carsharing option made available by Ola Micro. The cars are small and compact

Base Fare: Rs. 40 | Per KM: Rs. 6 (till 20km), Rs. 12 (after 20km) | Per Min: Rs. 1 | Cancellation: Rs. 50

Ola Micro is ideal for four or fewer travelers with limited or no luggage

5. Ola Mini

Ola Mini has higher quality vehicles than Ola Micro. You will be riding high-end hatchbacks, smaller sedans or similar cars

Base Fare: Rs. 50 | Per KM: Rs. 8 (till 20km), Rs. 13 (after 20km) | Per Min: Rs. 1 | Cancellation: Rs. 50

Ola Mini is the best option for four or fewer travelers with luggage. It is also a good choice if you riding long distance within a city and desire some comfort

6. Ola Prime

Ola Prime guarantees a ride in high-end sedans or MUVs, excellent drivers and free WiFi. It is a business class experience. You have to register at https://www.olacabs.com/prime to see the Prime car option in your app

Base Fare: Rs. 50 | Rs. 10 (till 20km), Rs. 14 (after 20km) | Per Min: Rs. 1 |Cancellation Rs. 75

It is for someone (4 or fewer travelers) who desires car comfort and safety of a good driver to drive through the mad streets of Indian cities

7. Ola Prime SUV

Ola Prime SUV as the name suggests means riding an SUV that can seat six people. The most common SUVs are Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo

Base Fare: Rs. 150 for first 4 km | Per KM: Rs. 17 | Per Min: Rs. 2 (post 15 min) | Cancellation: Rs. 100

Ola Prime SUV is the best option for five to six travelers

8. Ola Lux

Ever wanted to ride the Mumbai Marine Drive in a Mercedes or admire India Gate from the comforts of an Audi? Ola has a fleet of high-end of luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi amongst others

Base Fare: Rs. 300| Per KM: Rs. 25 | Per Min: Rs. 2 | Cancellation Fee: Rs. 200

9. Ola To or From the Airport

The airport charges vary and depend on the particular city. On average Ola Micro costs Rs. 8 per km and Rs. 1 per minute drive time. Ola Sedan costs Rs. 10/km for first 15 km and then on Rs. 16/km plus Rs. 1 per minute drive time.

Cheapest Way From Delhi International Airport (India) to Central Delhi

Ola or Uber – Which is the right choice?

• For solo travelers traveling a short distance and with no or little luggage, UberMoto is the cheapest option
• For up to four travelers traveling a short distance and in no real hurry, Ola e-Rickshaw (Erick) is the cheapest and greenest
• For up to three travelers seeking out a true Indian experience riding a tuk-tuk (auto) is a must. Price wise it is on par with UberGO and Ola Micro
• UberPool is the cheapest car option for one to two travelers
• Amongst private car options for up to four travelers without a lot of luggage, Ola Micro is cheapest if riding less than 20 km. If the travel distance is more than 20 km then UberGO is cheaper
• For up to four travelers traveling with luggage or seeking a higher comfort, Ola Mini is the cheapest medium-sized car option if riding less than 20 km. If traveling more than 20 km, then Ola Mini and UberX both cost the same more or fewer
• For a group of more than four, UberXL is the cheapest SUV optionNote: Surge pricing and night time pricing exists in some cities while it is absent in other cities. Hence, writing about them is beyond the scope of this article
  Q. How to Book Ola or Uber in India?

1. You will need a cell phone with internet connectivity. Download Uber or Ola app from the Play Store or App Store
   

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2. Turn on the data connection and enable the location (GPS) of your cell phone
3. Create an Uber or Ola account using your cell phone or email address
4. Search for rides. If location is enabled it will automatically pick up your current location. If you want pickup from an alternate location then enter that location in the app
5. After the pickup location is sorted, enter the destination on the app
6. The bar below the map will display the different ride options with approximate cost and time of arrival of the vehicle
7. Select the vehicle type and wait for its arrival
8. When you get into the vehicle the driver will ask you to confirm a common code called One Time Password (OTP), this is to ensure that you get into the right vehicle. Share the code with the driver
9. Enjoy the ride
10. There are two ways to pay for the ride
    1. Add money to Uber or Ola account: Using the app, you can put money in your Uber or Ola account using a debit or credit cardNote: At times you can’t add money using non-Indian credit or debit card
    2. Pay Cash: At the end of the ride you will get a notification from the app showing the total cost of your ride. Give the specified amount to the driver in cash

Conclusion

Overall, both Uber and Ola provide convenient, safe and affordable ways to travel throughout most major cities in India.  For North Americans, Uber and Ola are extremely affordable options costing a fraction of the cost domestically.