Getting around the city is no longer just about looking at a map and following a routeNow it's also about comparing in seconds whether it's more cost-effective to take the subway, a traditional taxi, order an Uber, or use a Cabify directly from your phone. Google Maps has become the command center for all of this, allowing you to see estimated prices, wait times, and vehicle types from various transportation platforms all on a single screen.
The best part is that this integration with Uber, Cabify, and other services is designed so you don't have to keep jumping from app to app.You search for your destination in Maps, select the rides tab, see the available options, and when you're ready, the provider's app opens to complete the booking. However, there's a catch: the feature isn't available in all countries, languages, or cities, and there are significant differences between what you can do with Uber, Cabify, or other apps like FREE NOW.
What exactly does it mean to order Uber or Cabify from Google Maps?
The option to order Uber or Cabify from Google Maps does not mean that Google has become a transportation companyWhat Maps does is add another layer to the routes screen, alongside the tabs for car, public transport, walking, or cycling, to show chartered transport services: taxis, ride-hailing services, car sharing and, in many cities, even bikes and scooters.
This feature is based on agreements between Google and various mobility companies.Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW, Bolt, DiDi, Lyft, and a good number of local services such as 99, Beat, Bitaksi, Careem, Grab, Go-Jek, HK Taxi, JapanTaxi, Meru Cabs, Ola Cabs, Taxi.eu, Waymo, among many others. Depending on the country and city, you'll see different options when you open the rides tab.
It is very important to understand that availability is not universal.There are countries where the travel tab doesn't appear at all, areas where only specific taxis or ride-hailing services are shown, and cities where shared bicycles and dockless scooters are also integrated. The language settings on your phone and in the Google Maps app itself also play a role.
Maps handles the search and comparison part, but the actual booking of the trip always falls to the provider's app.In most cases, when you choose a service (for example, a Cabify or an UberX), Google Maps switches to the corresponding application with the origin and destination already loaded, and that's where you choose a payment method, add notes to the driver, or apply promotional codes.
In addition to cars with drivers, Google Maps also integrates shared bicycles and electric scooters.This includes both docked and dockless models that you can leave on the street within a designated area. These options appear under the public transport or bicycle tabs, depending on how the service is set up in your city.
How to search and compare Uber, Cabify, and other ride apps on Google Maps
The process for searching for an Uber or Cabify ride on Google Maps is virtually the same as you would use to calculate any routeThe difference is that you'll be going to the specific tab for trips or pre-arranged transport. However, first make sure you're logged into the app with your Google account, as this saves your favorite places and settings.
To begin, open Google Maps on your mobile and search for the destination you want to go to. using the search bar or by tapping directly on the map. If you want to use a service like Uber or Cabify, make sure you have both your starting point and destination set; by default, the origin will be your current location, but you can easily change it.
Once you have a clear origin and destination, tap the "Get directions" button at the bottom.You'll see the typical tabs: car, public transport, walking, cycling... and, if available in your area, the tab related to travel, taxis or arranged transport services, which is usually represented by the icon of a person with a suitcase raising their hand.
Clicking on that tab will display a list of nearby providers with their approximate prices and waiting times.It is common to find several categories within the same platform: for example, UberX, Uber Comfort, higher capacity options, premium services, or taxis of different rates, depending on what each app offers in your city.
To see the details of any option, simply tap on the service you are interested in.At that point, if you already have the company's application installedGoogle Maps opens it directly with the route pre-loaded. If you don't have it, it will send you to Google Play or the App Store to download it before you can complete the trip request.
Configure and activate transportation integrations in Google Maps
In addition to using the travel tab, Google Maps lets you manage which transportation services are integrated with your account.This is especially useful in regions where there are platforms that need specific activation, as is the case with Uber in some countries.
To review these options, open the Google Maps app and tap on your profile picture or user icon in the top right corner.From there, go to the "Settings" menu and look for the section called something like "Chartered Transportation Services" or similar, which is where these integrations are centralized.
Within that menu you will see a list of compatible providers in your regionIn many cases, the app will show Uber as an additional option that you can activate with a switch, while other services like Cabify or FREE NOW may already appear automatically integrated if they are operational in your city.
Activating a provider means allowing Maps to display their fares and wait times when you calculate a route.This does not make Google a payment intermediary or responsible for the service; it simply allows them to share basic journey data with the provider's app when you tap on their option.
If at any time you disable a service from that menu or uninstall its applicationYou'll stop seeing their cars and fares in the Trips tab. If you try to select it anyway, Maps will again suggest downloading the app from the store to continue with the booking, so it's a good idea to check what you have enabled from time to time.
How to request a Cabify ride step by step from Google Maps
Cabify's integration with Google Maps is designed so you can locate their cars without leaving the map.Compare wait times and see estimated fares before opening the app. However, you'll need to have the Cabify app installed and an active account in a location where the service operates.
In Spain, for example, Cabify operates in cities such as Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Alicante, A Coruña, Murcia, Barcelona, ​​Santander and Valencia...as well as other regions and countries in Latin America. If you are outside those areas, or are going to Travel abroadThe option may not appear in Maps, or it may be shown but with no cars available at that time.
The process for ordering a Cabify from Google Maps is very simpleOpen the Maps app, select your origin and destination, and tap "Get directions." On the routes screen, go to the rides or scheduled transport tab (the one with the suitcase icon), where the available platforms are displayed.
If Cabify is operating in your area, you'll see it listed as one of the transportation options.This will show you the estimated arrival time and a price range for that journey. Depending on the city, you can also choose from different trip options based on vehicle size or service level.
When you tap on the Cabify option, Google Maps will automatically open the Cabify app. With all the trip details already prepared, you can select your payment method, review the final fare, check for discounts, and complete the trip confirmation by following the platform's usual steps.
How to use Uber with Google Maps, even without having the app installed
Uber's case is unique because Google Maps allows you to use the service even if you don't have the app installed on your phone.provided you meet one key condition: having an active Uber account and linking it to your Google account when the app asks you to.
First, you need to connect your Uber account to your Google accountand make sure you have mobile data (for example, configure an eSIMThis step usually appears the first time you select Uber within the trips tab in Maps. The system will ask you to log in with your Uber credentials and authorize the link between both accounts so they can exchange the necessary trip information.
Once you've done this, you can search for your destination on Google Maps as you normally would.Tap on "Get Directions" and select the taxi or pre-arranged rides icon. From the list of options, choose Uber, select the service type (for example, UberX, Comfort, etc.), and continue the process without needing to have the app installed.
The first time you complete this flow, Google Maps will ask you to confirm some details and payment methods.And you might be redirected to the Uber website if you need to change cards, add PayPal, or make other account adjustments. After that, you can manage your trips directly from Maps: choose the exact pickup location on the map and confirm by tapping "Book."
During the journey, the Google Maps app itself is responsible for showing you the status of the trip.You'll receive alerts when the car is arriving, you'll see its progress on the map, and you'll get a notification when it's finished. However, Uber will still send you the invoice by email, just like any other trip.
Use Uber, Cabify and other services as a price comparison tool on Maps
Even if you're someone who only uses one transportation platform, one of the great advantages of Google Maps is being able to instantly compare how much the same journey would cost you with different services.Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW, traditional taxis, etc., depending on what's available in your city.
When you plot a route and open the trips tab, you'll see a kind of built-in comparison tool. with the approximate price for each service and the estimated time until the vehicle arrives at your pickup point. This allows you to decide whether you're willing to pay a little more to arrive sooner or wait a bit for a lower price.
Google Maps uses data sent to it by the providers themselves.This includes factors such as Uber's price multiplier (during high demand) or special taxi fares at certain times. Therefore, the estimates you see already account for these surcharges and are more realistic.
Even if you don't have any of the apps installed, Maps will still allow you to see estimated prices.However, to complete the booking you'll need to download the corresponding app from the store. Once you install and open it, the route will appear pre-loaded and you'll just need to confirm.
This "centralize first, book later" approach turns Google Maps into a kind of neutral control panel.where you are not tied to a single platform and can decide each trip based on what works best for you at that moment, both in terms of time and money.
Use of shared bicycles and scooters from Google Maps
Google Maps doesn't just show cars with drivers; it also integrates micromobility options like shared bicycles and electric scooters.This is very useful if you make short journeys or want to avoid traffic jams during peak hours.
In cities with integrated bike and scooter services, simply open Maps, select your destination, and tap "Get directions."Then you'll need to look at the "Public Transport" and "Cycling" tabs, because that's where these alternatives usually appear.
If there are dockless vehicles near you, Maps will show you the nearest scooter or bikeThis indicates the type of vehicle, the approximate price, and the walking time to reach it. For systems with docking stations, you'll see the bike station closest to your route, along with the number of bikes available and free docking slots.
For bikes with docking stations, Google Maps can generate turn-by-turn navigation. This includes the walk to the starting station, the bike ride to the destination station, and then the final walk to your final destination. Estimated times are provided for each phase of the journey.
Selecting any of these services is as simple as tapping on the option that appears in the list.If it's a dockless vehicle, the scooter or bike company's app will open so you can complete the rental; if it's a docked system, the bike-sharing program's app will launch. You can also see available providers in your area from the "By Bike" tab without having to start a specific route.
What data does Google Maps share with Uber, Cabify, and other providers?
One of the most common questions when using these integrations is what information travels from Google Maps to transportation companies. and to what extent your real location or saved addresses are shared.
When you compare transportation options in the trips tab, Google Maps only shares your chosen pickup location and destination with the providers.It does not send custom names you have saved in your account, such as "Home", "Work", or other labels you have created, only the coordinates or addresses needed to calculate the route.
Your current location is only shared if it exactly matches the pickup point or destination.In other words, if you're requesting to be picked up at a hotel door or a specific station, what's sent is that address, not your precise GPS location if you're just walking around the block.
Until you tap on a specific result within the list of services, Google does not send any data to the transportation companies.You can move through the list, zoom in, zoom out, change your route, or even change your destination without anything being shared with Uber, Cabify, or any other providers that appear.
The moment you choose a service and tap on it, Maps transmits the origin and destination data to the provider. so that the platform can calculate the actual price, wait time, and trip details. In return, these companies provide Google with information such as the estimated fare and approximate arrival time, which is what appears on the comparison screen.
Who sees your data and which companies are integrated into Google Maps
Google Maps limits information sharing to the businesses you're actually comparing at that moment.Only the providers you see listed in the travel tab can receive data, and only after you click on one of their options to go to their app or booking system.
The list of integrated companies varies depending on the country and city.In some areas, traditional taxis predominate through apps like FREE NOW (formerly MyTaxi), in others VTCs like Uber or Cabify have more weight, and in many markets there are local platforms that probably don't even sound familiar outside of them.
Among the names that Google has integrated are some globally well-known services. such as Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW, Bolt or BlaBlaCar (including BlaBlaCar Daily), along with a long list of regional providers such as 99, Beat, Bitaksi, Careem, Chauffeur Privé, DiDi, Gett, Grab, Go-Jek, HK Taxi, JapanTaxi, Juno, Lyft, Meru Cabs, MyTaxi/FREE NOW, Ola Cabs, Sixt, Taxi.eu or Waymo.
Just because a supplier appears in official documentation doesn't mean you're definitely going to see them in your city.It all depends on there being an active agreement, the service operating in your area, and the Google Maps app in your language having up-to-date integration. That's why your travel screen might look nothing like it does in other cities.
Any questions, problems, or complaints related to the trip should always be directed to the transport provider.Google Maps acts as a showcase and bridge, but it does not manage payments or handle delays, route changes, or incidents with the driver; that remains the sole responsibility of the company providing the service.
Advantages of centralizing your taxis, ride-hailing services, bikes and scooters on Google Maps
The great appeal of using Google Maps as a starting point for ordering Uber, Cabify, and similar services is that you concentrate all your mobility information in one place.You don't have to open three or four apps to see how long each service takes or do mental calculations with the fees for each one, because everything is displayed at once.
This unified view makes comparing times and prices a matter of seconds.You can check if a taxi arrives sooner even if it costs a little more, if a ride-hailing service takes a little longer but saves you a few euros, or if a scooter gets you to your destination faster than the metro during rush hour.
Integration with official apps as payment gateways also adds convenienceYou configure your cards, PayPal, or other methods for each service just once, and from then on, all rides are charged automatically. No more searching for change or taking out your card mid-trip.
For those who use their mobile phone daily to get around the city, compare taxis, ride-hailing services, bikes, scooters and public transport from the same screen It makes decision-making much easier. It's no longer just about getting there, but about getting there in a way that best suits your budget, your time constraints, and the traffic at that moment.
In addition, checking the cost of the trip before ordering helps avoid surprises.Especially when you're in an unfamiliar city or at airports and train stations where fares can be less intuitive. Having that quick reference on Google Maps is a huge plus.
With this entire system, Google Maps has become a true Swiss Army knife of urban mobilityIt shows you routes to get around by car, public transport, on foot or by bike, shows you options from Uber, Cabify, taxis and micromobility, and lets you jump to each app to book in two taps, minimizing the time you spend switching between apps and giving you more control over how you want to get around at any given moment.
