Just in time for peak summer travel season, Uber is introducing a slew of products in popular vacation destinations across Europe, most notably in Greece. They say nothing quite compares to summering in the Greek islands, and I can now confirm that certainly is the case: courtesy of Uber, I recently got an exclusive look at the app's recently launched features in Athens and Mykonos in Greece, which included an epic experience with the new Uber Boat.
Meeting the anticipated demand for summer travel — which according to Uber is an expected 250 percent increase in rides from US travelers in Europe — the ride service is expanding its familiar functions like Uber Taxi, Comfort, and Van in new cities across Europe and specifically the Mediterranean and Balearic Islands, many of which can be booked using Uber Reserve.
Throughout my four-day adventure in Greece, I got to try out the newness firsthand, as different types of Ubers brought us to every destination in our jam-packed itinerary. From transporting to and from sightseeing spots in Athens with local taxis and roomy vans alike to lounging on fancy boat rides in Mykonos, I found the various options hassle-free. Travelers, if you're planning an upcoming trip to Europe, I'd definitely take notes.
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Keep reading for a breakdown of my experience using Uber's new summer travel products ahead.
Uber Taxi
Our journey began in Athens, where we took Uber Taxi to get from the airport to our hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne, as well as multiple historic landmarks like the Greek Parliament and Acropolis. While a regular Uber car gets the job done, I enjoyed getting around the city in a cab like a local, without worrying about any confusion with fares or communication.
Uber partnered with local taxi drivers to launch Uber Taxi in Athens, Mykonos Santorini, Rodhos, and Corfu in Greece, as well as various cities across Italy, Spain, France, and Croatia. Unlike when you hail a regular taxi, however, you can see upfront fare estimates and car details.
Uber Comfort
After leaving a major city like Athens, the transportation situation was a little trickier once we arrived in Mykonos. Luckily, we had booked Uber Comfort and Uber Van rides in advance to get around to locations like our hotel, Soho Roc Hotel; Rizes Folklore Farmstead, where we made tzatziki and meatballs during a fun cooking class and petted some very cute goats; and the stunning Paraga Beach, where we boarded our Uber Boat rides. I was still super jet-lagged early on in the trip, so the extra room and ability to note conversation and temperature preferences were definitely appreciated for catnaps in between our activities.
While you're likely familiar with Comfort if you're in the US, it's new to the Greek islands, Mallorca, Tenerife, the French Atlantic coast, and across the Algarve in Portugal.
Uber Boat
Now, for the main event: Uber Boat. I was definitely most excited to try the luxurious new vehicle feature, which launches in Mykonos on June 28. As you can imagine, it did not disappoint. The experience was as dreamy as it was simple. Two trusty drivers on a speedboat picked us up near our hotel at Paraga Beach, which is one of the 20 official pickup points for Uber Boat. They then safely took us on a scenic ride with the best vibes — and music — to our destination. En route, I got a close-up view of the stunning blue waters of the Aegean Sea and took enough Instagram-worthy snaps for a lifetime. It's definitely the most luxurious and, surprisingly, also the quickest way to get across the city. (The island road traffic is no joke, especially during the busier travel months.)
Like with any other Uber ride, you can book a speedboat for four to eight people so long as you reserve at least 45 minutes ahead. A private, local boat charter that's partnered with Uber will arrive at your desired time, and you'll swiftly be taken to your destination. Rides cost as low as $130, which is actually more affordable — and convenient — than booking your own boat trip. Just note the feature is only available during the summer season, from June to October, in Mykonos, though Uber hopes to expand the service throughout other islands.
Uber Reserve
If you haven't used it before, Uber Reserve lets you book your ride up to 90 days in advance. It's been around for a while, but the feature is new to the Mediterranean and Balearic Islands. While you can use it to reserve regular rides a few hours ahead, I found it most useful traveling to and from any airport. Uber's flight-tracking technology syncs your rides with your flight info, so you have a car waiting for you when you land at any airport, accounting for delays and busy airports.
We used the service to get picked up by an Uber Van at Mykonos Airport, where we were promptly welcomed outside the airport and on the road to our hotel in just a few minutes.
Uber Travel
Last May, Uber launched Uber Travel, a feature that pulls flight details from your Gmail or Outlook inbox and automatically reserves rides or rental cards to and from the airport. I used it for the first time upon my return to New York, where I had a ride waiting for me curbside after a long, 10-hour flight. If you want to get fancy, you can also integrate your travel itinerary into the Uber app and input details for your hotels, restaurants, and activity bookings to easily reserve rides.
