Taxis & Rideshare in Melbourne (2026) - Grab, Uber & More

Melbourne's door-to-door transport is dominated by two broad choices: the long-standing network of licensed taxis and the newer rideshare apps. Traditional taxis can be hailed kerbside in the CBD and busy inner suburbs, picked up from clearly marked ranks outside Flinders Street, Southern Cross and major hotels, or booked by phone or through the 13CABS or Silver Top apps. Rideshare services, chiefly Uber, DiDi, Ola and Shebah, operate city-wide and are summoned through their respective smartphone apps. You simply drop the pin at your location, confirm the address, and track the driver's arrival in real time. Both systems accept card payment in-app or in-vehicle, and both are required to display driver and vehicle details for safety. Choose taxis when you need an immediate ride from a rank late at night, after sporting events at the MCG or Marvel Stadium when app wait times increase, or if you prefer a regulated meter and the option to pay cash. Rideshare is usually the more convenient option for suburban pick-ups or when you want an estimate before you ride. You can also select larger vehicles or premium tiers for airport runs with luggage. For travellers with accessibility needs, taxi companies offer wheelchair-accessible cabs that can be pre-booked, while Shebah caters specifically to female and family travellers. Whichever you use, check current rates in the app or on the rank screen before you confirm.