While the cheapest way to get around Manhattan is by subway or foot, I know many people like the convenience of taxis and on-demand car services that you can simply request from an app. To many the subway can be beyond overwhelming (primarily tourists) and probably not the safest option late at night. While Uber has done a great job at making a name for the car service app technology, there are actually many other (and possibly better!) options throughout NYC. Over the pat week, many of these services announced some limited time offers to allow you to get around Manhattan for cheap. I’ve gone ahead and compiled a few of my favorite companies and the current offers:
- Uber: Earlier this year, Uber added a ride sharing service called UberPOOL. For a limited time (end date is TBD) you can take an UberPOOL for a flat $10 in Manhattan (south of 96th street). You can learn more about this promotion here. New members can currently get one free ride (up to $20) by signing up through a referral link.
- Gett: Flat rate car service now offering $10 rides throughout Manhattan (south of 110th Street). This will get you your own ride, it is not a car sharing discounted option. You can learn more about this promotion here. New members can currently get $20 in free credits (so 2 free rides in Manhattan) by signing up through a referral link.
- Via: This service ALWAYS offers $5.44 rides (which includes tip and tax). This is not a limited time offer, but instead the price at any given day, time, location, etc! While this service is by far the cheapest option, they are limited in the hours they work and the places they go. Hours are 6:30am to 9pm during the week only (no weekends or holidays). They also only run from 14th street to 110th street in Manhattan. The premise of this service is that it is a ride sharing company, so there is a good chance you will pick up another passenger along the same route as you are going. Via does not pick you up at your exact destination, but will give you a spot to walk to (within a few blocks) and pick you up there along their route. With their algorithm you really aren’t going out of the way to pick up other passengers and they will only wait two minutes. Sign up through a members referral link and get $10 in free credits.
- Lyft: Awhile ago, Lyft introduced Lyft Line which is their car sharing option and allows you to save some money. With the current offer, you can take a Lyft Line for a flat $5 per ride! This is for rides throughout Manhattan (south of 96th street). You can learn more about this offer here. New members can currently get a free ride (up to $30) in free credits by signing up through a referral link.
Remember, all the app on-demand car services are cash free, so whatever credit card you have on file will be charged accordingly.
As you can see there are many options for an on-demand car service in New York City! You can easily get over up to $80 of free rides by signing up for all four! If you are going between 14th Street and 110th Street, Via or Lyft Line will be the cheapest option. If you are traveling a far distance in Manhattan, Gett or UberPOOL will be the cheapest. Throwing out your hand and hailing a yellow cab can also sometimes be the easiest option, but you might be paying a little more.
Which car service do you prefer? If you use any of the ones above, feel free to leave your own referral link in the comments section.
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