Before I dive into this post about safely using taxis and rideshare services when you travel, I want to share a personal story. In 2015, my daughter and I went to a U2 concert at Chicago’s United Center. After the show, the scene outside was chaos — no taxis, buses, or Ubers in sight. We met up with friends staying at our hotel downtown, and while I probably would have walked back with the crowd, one of them wasn’t feeling well.
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That’s when her husband spotted a man waving us over to a sleek black car. The driver quoted $50 to take us to our hotel, and without asking for credentials, we climbed in. I didn’t think twice. I was still riding a high from the day meeting Bono (yes, that Bono!) and even getting his autograph tattooed on my arm before the concert. With all that excitement, I wasn’t exactly making rational decisions.
The car turned out to be part of a limo service, and thankfully, we made it safely to our hotel. But the situation rattled my teenage daughter. Looking back, I realize that if it had just been the two of us, I might not have taken that risk, but at the moment, it felt harmless.
I share this story even though this was a limo service. We can easily put ourselves in a sticky situation when we have to rely on transportation in an unfamiliar place. Whether it’s getting scammed out of money or worse, we need to be vigilant about how we get around when we travel.
We know traveling solo as a woman over 50 is one of the most liberating experiences you can gift yourself. But one aspect of travel can spark anxiety. Getting from point A to point B safely, especially when you’re in a new city or country.
I’ve had my share of both smooth and nerve-wracking transportation experiences over the years. Some of my best travel memories involve friendly drivers (many in Ireland) who offered local tips, while others… let’s just say they had me double-checking my hotel locks afterward.
Even though my situation involved neither a taxi nor Uber, but a personal limo service, one can use the following tips across the board no matter what service you use.
So, which is safer for solo female travelers—traditional taxis or rideshare services like Uber and Lyft? Let’s take a closer look, with some real-world tips you can use right away to feel more secure.
Taxis have been around forever. They’re often regulated by local governments, which means drivers are usually licensed, vetted, and operating under certain rules. In many cities, you can hail them from designated taxi stands at airports, train stations, and hotels—places that often have security cameras or staff nearby.
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Rideshare services like Lyft, Uber, and Bolt have changed the way many of us travel. With a tap on your phone, you can see your driver’s name, photo, license plate, and reviews from past riders before they even pull up. You can also send your trip details to a friend so they can follow your ride in real time. A big plus for solo travelers.
Here’s the truth from my years of solo travel: neither taxis nor rideshares are inherently 100% safe. What matters most is how you approach them. Whether I’m in Paris, Chicago, or a small coastal town, I rely on the same core habits to protect myself.
The good news? With a few mindful strategies, you can use either option confidently and without the knot-in-your-stomach feeling.
4. Sit in the back seat – This gives you personal space and makes it easier to exit quickly if needed.
I learned a valuable lesson after that concert in Chicago. When I travel solo, I treat my transportation choices like I treat my hotel bookings. I do my homework. Here’s what has kept me feeling safe over the years:
There are destinations where taxis win for me especially in smaller towns where rideshare coverage is spotty or at airports (CDG in Paris is a perfect example) where official taxis (G7) have fixed fares. In some countries, taxis are better regulated and more familiar to locals, which can mean safer rides.
In big cities, rideshares are often my go-to. I feel safer being able to see my driver’s reviews, share my trip in real time, and skip the awkward “Do you take credit cards?” conversation. I’ve also found that late at night, ordering a rideshare directly from the app feels safer than waiting outside on a street corner.
For solo female travelers over 50, the safest choice between taxis and rideshares isn’t always clear-cut. It depends on the destination, time of day, and your comfort level.
The actual key is preparation. Learn how each system works in your destination before you arrive, download necessary apps ahead of time, and make safety a habit, not an afterthought. With the right approach, you can move around with confidence and focus on what matters, soaking up your travel adventures, one ride at a time.
After all, whether it’s the back seat of a yellow cab in New York or an Uber in Lisbon, the journey can be just as much a part of the adventure as the destination.
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