Tips for Using Uber and Lyft with Kids

Hey there! Wondering if ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are a good option for your family? Want to know what to expect and how to get started?

We have used Uber or Lyft in Paris, New York City, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Orlando, and Los Angeles. After public transportation or walking, it's my preferred way to get around in a new city. And it's often my first choice for transportation to and from the airport.

These ride-sharing services are available in most metro areas in the U.S and beyond. They are usually less expensive than a rental car or taxi and more convenient than public transportation, especially when we have all our luggage.

We use the mobile apps to check the fare, and can often get a ride within 5-10 minutes – especially from busy places like airports and hotels. Uber and Lyft have brought competition into the ground transportation market, which helps keep prices down. However, sometimes taxis are still your best bet.

Want to use Uber or Lyft on your next trip? Here are my tips for successfully using Uber or Lyft with kids.

Download both apps

Download both the Uber and Lyft apps on your mobile phone. Both services are available in most big cities, and often, one will be a little less expensive than the other. You can quickly check prices for your trip on both and then choose the option you like better.

Look for coupons

Uber and Lyft both offer deep discounts for new riders. Look for offers when you sign up for the app, and elsewhere. 

Getting started

It takes a few minutes to get your account set up before your first ride. I recommend doing this before you leave home. You'll input basic personal and payment information. Credit, debit, and PayPal are accepted.

When you need a ride, open the app and type in the name or address of the place you want to go. You'll get a list of different car options and prices, with approximate arrival times. 

Select the car you want, and you'll receive the name of your driver, a description of the car, and the estimated arrival time. You'll receive text updates so you know when your driver is close.

When you arrive at your destination, you just collect your bags and thank your driver. You do not need cash or a credit card because the app completes the transaction with the payment information you input earlier.

Tips for Success

• Check both apps. Fares are usually competitive between Uber and Lyft, but one is sometimes less expensive than the other. You may also want to compare with taxi fares, which are often competitive and even more convenient.
• Get the right ride. Need an SUV or minivan to fit your family and luggage? Upgrade to XL or Plus. You can also get luxury, accessible, and other rides through Uber and Lyft.
• Look for Uber/Lyft pickup zones. Many airports and some other popular places now have designated pickup zones for Uber/Lyft, away from taxis and other ground transportation.
• Tip your driver. Tips are handled through the app after your ride and are expected. You'll also have the opportunity to rate your driver – be sure to give them a high rating if it's deserved. Be aware that drivers rate passengers too, and your rating might affect your ability to get a ride in the future.

What size car do you need?

Uber and Lyft both offer larger cars for up to 6 passengers and many families will need to upgrade to Uber XL or Lyft Plus. Sometimes my family of four fits just fine in a basic Lyft or UberX, but when we have all our luggage we get a Lyft Plus or Uber XL. UberXL or Lyft Plus is usually an SUV or minivan, which ensures that we all will fit.

Luxury vehicles with top-rated drivers are available for an extra charge with both Uber and Lyft. Both services also offer ride-sharing so you can share the car and split your fare with another rider, but that's probably not a good option for most families.

Now or later?

Both Uber and Lyft offer the option to schedule a ride in the future. This makes sense when you know you need to leave at an exact time and cannot afford to wait. It may also be helpful when you are outside the city and may not have many drivers nearby.

We haven't used the scheduling feature, but here's a situation where it would have helped… We called an Uber to meet us at our hotel in National Harbor, Maryland – about 10 miles from downtown Washington D.C. Two days earlier, we used Lyft to reach National Harbor from D.C. with no problem. We wanted to go back to D.C., but we requested the ride at rush hour, and the 10-minute estimate turned into 20, then 40 with no response when we tried to contact the driver. We finally canceled the Uber and took a black car from the hotel curb. The price was actually competitive, and we would have avoided the long wait.

What about car seats?

Bring your own car seat if you want the safest ride for your child. You can use it on the airplane or check it for free.

Some Uber or Lyft drivers will provide car seats, but even then it's a bit risky. You can't expect the car seat to be rear-facing and you can't expect to get more than one car seat. Furthermore, you won't know the history of the car seat and you need to ensure that it is installed correctly.

For preschoolers, The BubbleBum inflatable travel booster is a popular option on Amazon.com. The mifold travel booster is another good choice.

My friend Leslie at Trips with Tykes tried Uber's car seat service in Orlando, Florida. Read her review and tips HERE.

When to get another ride

Uber and Lyft are not always the best option. You can often find hotels with free shuttles to/from airports and popular destinations like theme parks. Public transportation is nearly always less expensive, but is not always the best option with luggage, at all hours, or when you get farther away from the city center.

Taxis can be more convenient, and compared with UberXL, there may not be much difference in price. Check the apps first, then ask if your taxi driver can offer a competitive price.

Last spring break, we needed a ride from Miami to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port. We walked out of our hotel and were ready to request an Uber, but found a yellow taxi van ready to go. The taxi rate was higher than Uber, but the driver countered with a competitive rate. We climbed in the van and headed for the cruise port.

Ready to ride?

Click the buttons below to visit the Uber and Lyft websites. You can see what options are available at your destination, link to the app and see my favorite feature, the fare estimator.

Allison

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 14 and 17, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.