Uber is the best-known ride-hailing app in the world, but it is not everywhere. If you are planning a trip, it helps to know where you can open the app and get a ride, and where you will need a local alternative instead.
This guide explains Uber’s worldwide coverage, which regions it serves, the major countries where it does not operate (and why), recent market exits, and the apps to use in those places.
Note: Uber’s coverage changes often. Services launch, pause, and shut down, and published country lists disagree with each other. Check the Uber app for your exact city and dates before you travel.
How Many Countries Does Uber Operate In?
Uber is usually described as operating in roughly 70 countries and thousands of cities. One 2026 country count puts the figure at 72 countries and more than 15,000 cities, though lists differ depending on how a country is counted and whether a market has recently closed. The number has been falling slightly in recent years as Uber has pulled out of some markets.
Where Uber Operates, by Region
The lists below reflect published country counts. Some of these may be limited to certain cities, and a few recent exits are noted further down.
| Region | Countries commonly listed |
|---|---|
| North America | United States, Canada, Mexico |
| Central America and Caribbean | Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama |
| South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
| Middle East | Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates |
| South and East Asia | Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Macao, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
| Africa | Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa (see recent exits below) |
Country lists come from published 2026 coverage counts and may be incomplete or out of date. Uber may serve only certain cities within a country, and some entries (such as Denmark, which has had a history of suspensions) may have restricted service.
Major Places Where Uber Does Not Operate
China
Uber does not operate in mainland China. It sold its China business to local rival DiDi in 2016. DiDi is the main ride-hailing app there, and visitors can use it with an international profile, along with local taxi and payment options.
Russia and Neighboring Markets
Uber left Russia and several nearby countries after merging its operations with Yandex in 2018 and later selling its remaining stake. In those markets, Yandex Go is the dominant ride-hailing app.
Most of Southeast Asia
Uber sold its Southeast Asian business to Grab in 2018. As a result, Uber is generally not available in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar, where Grab, Gojek, and local apps are used instead. Some reports mention limited Uber-related services in Singapore, so check the app locally.
Hungary and Bulgaria
Uber stopped operating in Hungary in 2016 after a law allowed authorities to block online services that dispatched unlicensed rides. In Bulgaria, Uber was banned over concerns about unfair trading practices and has not returned in a major way.
Parts of Europe with Restrictions
In Europe, Uber’s availability depends heavily on local taxi and licensing rules. Denmark, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Turkey have all had bans, suspensions, or restrictions at different times. In Germany, for example, Uber operates in a limited number of cities and often works through licensed taxi and rental partners.
Much of Africa
Outside a few markets, Uber is not available in most of Africa. See the recent exits below.
Countries Under Sanctions or With Limited Services
Uber does not offer service in countries such as Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Cuba, where sanctions or limited infrastructure and regulation prevent it from operating. Coverage is also thin in much of Central Asia, parts of the Middle East, and many small island nations.
Recent Uber Market Exits
Uber has been narrowing its footprint in parts of Africa:
- Côte d’Ivoire: exited in September 2025
- Tanzania: exited in January 2026
- Nigeria: ended its ride-hailing operations on September 2, 2026 after about 12 years
- Uganda: announced a wind-down at around the same time
Reported reasons include higher fuel costs, currency changes, competition from local apps, and disputes with drivers over commissions. Reports say Uber’s remaining African markets include South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco. Because some published country lists still include the exited markets, treat any list, including the one above, as a snapshot and confirm in the app.
Why Uber Is Not Everywhere
- Local competition: in China, Southeast Asia, and Russia, local rivals grew faster, and Uber chose to sell rather than keep fighting.
- Regulation: some governments require licensed taxi drivers or limit app-based services.
- Legal disputes: bans and court rulings over driver classification and safety have led to suspensions in some places.
- Economics: rising costs and low margins have led Uber to leave several markets.
- Sanctions and infrastructure: some places lack the legal or technical environment for the service.
What to Use Instead of Uber
| Region | Popular alternatives |
|---|---|
| China | DiDi |
| Southeast Asia | Grab, Gojek, Bolt (in some markets), local taxi apps |
| Russia and neighboring countries | Yandex Go |
| Europe | Bolt, FreeNow, and local taxi apps |
| Africa | Bolt, inDrive, and local platforms |
| Middle East | Careem and local taxi apps |
| Latin America | DiDi, inDrive, Cabify, and local apps |
Travel Tips for Using Ride-Hailing Abroad
- Check the Uber app in your destination city before you go, because coverage can be limited to certain cities.
- Download the dominant local app, such as Grab, DiDi, or Bolt, in advance and set up payment.
- Keep an offline map and your hotel address saved in the local language.
- Use official taxi ranks or licensed services in airports and unfamiliar places.
- Check that your phone number and card work with a local app, since some require a local number.
- Confirm the driver’s name, plate, and trip details before you get in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries is Uber in?
Roughly 70, with one 2026 count at 72. The number changes as Uber enters or leaves markets.
Why is Uber not in China?
Uber sold its China business to DiDi in 2016 after heavy competition. DiDi is now the main ride-hailing app there.
Does Uber work in Southeast Asia?
Not in most of it. Uber sold its Southeast Asian business to Grab in 2018, so Grab and Gojek are used in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Does Uber work in Russia?
No. Uber’s Russian business was merged into Yandex, and Yandex Go is the main app.
Has Uber left Africa?
It has left several African markets, including Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Nigeria, and announced a wind-down in Uganda. It was reported to still operate in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco.
Is Uber banned in any countries?
Uber has been banned or restricted in places such as Bulgaria and Hungary and has faced suspensions or limits in several other European countries, depending on local laws.
What should I do if Uber is not available?
Use the dominant local ride-hailing app, licensed taxis, or your hotel’s recommended service.
Final Thoughts
Uber covers about 70 countries, but it is missing from some of the world’s biggest travel destinations, including China, Russia, and most of Southeast Asia. Before you travel, check the Uber app for your city, install the local alternative, and keep a backup option for getting around.
Coverage information is based on published country lists and news reports at the time of writing, and sources sometimes disagree. Uber’s availability changes often, so verify current service in the Uber app and with local authorities before you travel.