Uber is a smartphone-enabled 'ride-hailing' service alternative to taxi cabs.

Since its launch in 2012, Uber has become the most recognized alternative to traditional taxi cabs. Uber drivers do not possess special licenses; they use their personal vehicles to offer discounted fare rides. Ride-hailing and payment are all handled through a smartphone app, and you needn't handle cash or even offer tips to your Uber driver.

Uber drivers cannot pick up street hails, which is the biggest reason Uber is not exactly a taxi provider. Instead, Uber is a kind of car-for-hire service that relies on smartphone tech as its dispatch and fee manager.

Uber is in 377 major cities around the world. Whether you're traveling to Seattle, Dubai, Tokyo, London, Paris, Montreal, or Chicago, you can expect Uber rides to be available in those cities and other major metro centers.

Uber is for adults and requires all account holders to be 18 years or older.

Uber has been banned in the city of London in 2017, and in Europe it is a highly controversial service since it is supposed to violate the inernal rules on local transport services.