To use Uber (London)

[Whatafustercluck]

Planning on commuting into London this week for the first time in several weeks as I have a broken fibula and have been working from home instead. 'Home' is a 1 hour 15 min train journey into Kings Cross. Normally I'd take the Tube but as I'm still in plaster and only just beginning to bear weight again I can't handle all the walking involved on crutches so plan to Uber for ease and economy - and I'm a first time user. So aibu?

Fwiw there's absolutely no pressure from my employer to make the journey, I'm doing it for my own sanity. It's a one off and I don't plan to make the journey again until I'm much more mobile - but I've not been into the office for 4 weeks and want to show my face.

Any advice from regular users?

I use Uber all the time in London but haven't used one to commute into London. I think with a broken leg either stay home or yes, take an Uber.

Not sure if you can pre-book an Uber though? So you may risk one not being available when you try and get one.

Uber cars can be a bit hit and miss. Some are great, others drive like lunatics while chatting away on their phones.

Addison Lee tends to be a bit more civilised but it a bit more expensive
Personally, I think it’s worth it as you get a much nicer car and a more comfortable journey

You can schedule a trip in advance, but I'm pretty sure that all that happens is that the request goes out to available drivers just before your booked time. There's still no guarantee anyone will accept it.

But I'm a regular Uber customer. There are always cars available in central London within minutes. It's the most efficient and usually the cheapest way to travel by car.

I'm not sure why you think it might be unreasonable? And anyway, if all else fails you can still get in a black cab.

I think it might actually be cheaper with a local taxi company at an agreed price.
Uber is great for journeys around 20 mins. But I reckon that might cost you a bomb.
Whereas a local taxi firm may give you a good deal

Lately uber have been making walk to a pickup point, it's been normal uber not even pool. Might not be ideal for you. But there's a disability option which I haven't tried which probably doesn't do that.

Do you mean Uber for the whole journey, or Uber from Kings X to your office once you get there? From home, and at prime commuting time, and depending on where you are I'd be tempted to book and Addison Lee depending on how flexible you can be with start time in case there are no ubers. From Kings X you would definitely get an uber but might have to walk to a meeting point, which would presumably be a hassle.

Yes sorry, I mean I'd Uber from Kings Cross to where I work. Not having used Uber before, I'm just not sure how quickly one would turn up - and I'm not sure about scheduling a window as I don't know whether my train will be delayed or how long it'll take me to get outside the station when I get there. The journey is 20-30 mins. I know roughly how it works, but I'm a bit apprehensive about how it'll work in practice I suppose - and how safe it is.

Honestly if it’s from kings cross I would get a black cab. So much easier. Will be more, but they are there. Easy to use and it’s not that easy to link up where you are with an Uber at
Especially if you are struggling, you just want your life to be easy.
But get an Uber back.

I love Uber, use them all the time in London, unless there's a clear bus route without a load of changes... then I use the bus. I absolutely can't stand the tube so I avoid it at all costs. I will use black cabs too if there's a near enough cab rank... never bother trying to flag one down anymore though.

Uber is great, but from kings cross I would just go to the taxi rank and get a black cab. Otherwise you don't know where the Uber would stop, and don't want to be walking around looking for them.

A black cab would give you more room to stretch out too.

Uber drivers stop where you tell them to by "dropping a pin" onto the digital map. I'm inclined to agree overall that a black cab would be easier (although more expensive), but if you do decide to go for an Uber get it to stop on York Way, the road along the eastern side of the station. Don't attempt to get it to stop on Euston Road out the front- that won't work. And Pancras Rd (on the west side) tends to be a bit chaotic. The app tells you what car is coming for you, it's registration, and shows you where it is on a map, so it's fairly easy to find the car. I'd say it's cast-iron safe. You have full details of the car and driver, and the entire journey is logged electronically by GPS. I don't think it would be the choice of axe murderers.

Black cab all the way OP ;-)

you won’t be waiting long from kings cross for an Uber, but what with the traffic, road works, mounds of people, and one way streets, it’s not the easiest place to find a pick up spot.
Black cab would be much more convenient (although more £££) than an Uber

Black cab all the way OP ;-)

Instead of a one hour fifteen minute train journey? Couple of hundred pounds?