Getting around: Uber vs Lyft vs Grab
Rideshare pricing and availability shift by city, so it's worth having the right app ready before you land.
| App | Availability | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Uber | Available in 70+ countries | Usually the safer default outside the US — bigger global footprint, works in most major international airports. |
| Lyft | US & select Canada only | Worth comparing against Uber's price in cities where both operate — one is often cheaper depending on demand. |
| Grab | Southeast Asia | The go-to in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines — Uber sold its Southeast Asia business to Grab in 2018, so Grab is dominant there. |
| Kiwitaxi | 150+ countries | Pre-booked, fixed-price transfers rather than an on-demand app — the reliable fallback anywhere Uber/Lyft/Grab don't reach. |
Global
Uber
Download the app and set up payment before you land — it saves time exiting the airport.
Get Uber
US & Canada
Lyft
Worth having as a second option to compare fares if you're travelling within the US.
Get Lyft
Southeast Asia
Grab
The default app the moment you land in Singapore, KL, Jakarta, Bangkok, or Manila — also covers food delivery and payments.
Get Grab
Pre-booked
Kiwitaxi
No Uber, Lyft, or Grab where you're landing? Book a fixed-price airport transfer in advance instead — works almost everywhere.
Book with Kiwitaxi
Tip: at busy airports, rideshare pickup is often a separate zone from taxis — check the app's pickup instructions before you land rather than searching for the sign in person. Prices also surge heavily right after international flights land in bulk, so waiting 15–20 minutes in the terminal sometimes drops the fare noticeably.