Booking Uber car in advance in London

[Patanjali]

Is it possible to schedule a ride in advance in London via Uber?

Very difficult to contact Uber (no customer service?).
I have looked at their online help and don't get the car icon with the clock located to the right of the Where to? bar (which is how their online help says users can schedule in advance).

Thanks

Just tested it and I can do this for London, although I’m US based it does let me set a future time then pick addresses in London. When you open the app the clock should be right there, you need to select it and set the time before you put in the locations. If you don’t see it maybe you need to update the app? Or maybe it just doesn’t like British users... If you’re in London you shouldn’t have an issue getting a ride when you need it though!

I'm in London and yes the clock is there to schedule a ride. But you probably won't need to - you never wait long. I've been using Uber years and have never scheduled a trip

Be careful with Uber as some of the drivers are very rude, and can be offensive
I tend to stick with local private hire or the good old black cabs a bit more money but better regulated.,

I've used hundreds of Ubers and have never had a rude or offensive driver. They are regulated by tfl just like the others. Black cab drivers and private hire are no better imo

Many thanks for your reply.

I can't see the clock at all and am wondering whether this is just for people in the US or whether it is because I haven't set up a payment method yet.

Have downloaded the app onto laptop, iPad and iPhone and encounter same issue. Downloaded from the Appstore recently so I am assuming it is up-to-date.

Many thanks for your reply.

From what I've seen so far, you seem to be right; there seem to be many Uber drivers coasting around.

The reason I was trying to schedule a ride is that I need to get somewhere at a particular time; did not want to risk arriving too late or too early.

Useful feature-if only I knew how to find it!

Use Addison Lee! Works out similar price usually and advance booking much easier

Ps: I love I. London and have used Uber with the clock. As far as I can work out it’s doesmt give you an advantage - day you want to leave at 7.45 - well if you ‘book’ it what happens at 7.45 is the same as if you asked for a car there and then - it searches for nearest drivers. Sometimes I’ve waited half an hour if further out in London.

Sorry for typos there

Addison Lee are good, everywhere I’ve worked has exclusively used them in London. I’d definitely recommend if you want the reassurance of pre-booking. But Uber are fine, I used them a lot when I lived in London, here at home and also when I go back to visit the UK, I’ve personally never had a problem with offensive drivers.

I've found a half hour wait for an Uber is not unusual in London. Even in central locations.

I've found that local cab companies are comparable in price now - I guess due to the competition for Uber. When I visit relatives I use the local company as my family has been using them for years and found them very reliable. I appreciate this is not always the case though. I usually call and get a price for my trip in advance.

Use Addison Lee

OP if you've not set up a payment method you won't be able to book now or schedule.

Many thanks for your reply.

I am a little bit nervous of new technology/technology I am not familiar with. I'm one of those rare people who only got a smartphone last summer!

Wanted to experiment with booking a car just before payment so that when I came to book in reality I was not going to waste time being tripped over and confused by the methodology.

I read the Uber warning about having to pay for cancelled rides so did not want to set up payment until I knew how to book.

Many thanks for suggesting the alternative of Addison Lee.
I will explore this option.

Many thanks for your reply.

Where are you travelling from/to? It might just be easier to flag down a black cab. Or use tube/bus.

Thank-you for your reply.

Please see the new thread I have started about using public transport.

I've done it in London, it's straight forward but when I'm at home we use a local minicab firm who are a guaranteed price unlike Uber which varies