When it comes to ride-hailing apps, one of the most common questions riders ask is, “between Uber and Bolt which is cheaper?”
The answer isn’t always straightforward, as prices fluctuate based on location, time of day, and demand.
Still, certain trends consistently show one platform edging out the other in different situations.
Below is a closer look at how the two services compare, what typically influences their pricing, and when you might save more with each.
Table of Contents
General Observations About Between Uber and Bolt Which Is Cheaper?
Here are what studies, reports, and user feedback suggest:
| Factor | What Tends to Favor Bolt | What Tends to Favor Uber |
|---|---|---|
| Base fares / minimum fee | Bolt often has lower base fares or smaller minimum charges in many places. (Because part of its strategy is to win on price.) | Uber sometimes has higher base/minimums. Also, its brand premium in some markets allows it to charge more. |
| Price per kilometer / minute | Bolt often charges less per km or per minute (especially on standard/basic ride options) in many comparisons. | Uber sometimes has better deals during peak times if they run promos, or if Bolt surges more aggressively. |
| Surge / dynamic pricing | Both use surge/dynamic fares. In some places Bolt’s surge multipliers are less steep than Uber’s, making Bolt better during “high demand” times. | But Uber occasionally runs promos that undercut Bolt nominally, or offer cheaper alternatives (Uber Go, UberX, etc.) in some times/areas. |
| Distance of ride | For longer rides, Bolt often becomes noticeably cheaper because its per-km or per-minute rates tend to be lower in many places. | For short rides, especially when base/minimum fares dominate cost, the difference may be small, or sometimes Uber might be slightly cheaper depending on that minimum fare. |
| Availability / competition | In cities where Bolt is very strong/has many drivers, that tends to push prices down (less waiting, less surge). Also Bolt’s strategy in many markets has been aggressive pricing to capture share. | In places where Uber has more market dominance, they might have pricing power; also due to brand, demand, driver supply imbalances, etc., their fares may be stable or high. |
Between Uber and Bolt Which Is Cheaper: What the Data Shows
Some real examples:
- In South Africa, comparisons across major cities show Bolt is generally cheaper for standard ride‐options (Bolt vs UberX) on most routes. The difference becomes larger for longer rides.
- In London, Bolt has at times been cheaper in certain ride categories or base fares, but Uber still retains options (comfort, XL etc.) that are more expensive. There Bolt’s base cost and per-mile rates vary, and it depends on which service level you use.
- In Romania a few years ago, Bolt and Uber had similar per-km rates for some ride types (e.g. “standard” vs “comfort”), but Bolt often had lower minimum fares.
Conclusion
So, in general:
- Bolt is more often cheaper than Uber, especially for standard/basic rides, in many cities around the world.
How I Use Ride Hailing Services, Bolt vs Uber (Difference Between Uber and Bolt)
I use Bolt’s boda boda and bajaj (auto rickshaw) service and rarely ever their taxi service, and yet I use Uber’s taxi service, never their boda boda service and rarely their bajaj service.
It occurred to me to ask you: Bolt vs Uber, which do you prefer, or use more regularly, and why?
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Are you like me that uses both ride hailing services depending on the circumstances of the ride, e.g., destination, time, or mode of transportation?
Or rather, are you strictly faithful to one?
Photo credits: Linkedin