We all know and love the ease of ride service apps like Uber, Ola and Rydo, to name just a few. But this festive season the convenience of booking a ride through your app could put a hefty dent in your bank account. 

According to Placie, the app where users can compare and book from Australia’s largest network of ride services in one place, users across the country may be in for price surges of as much as 140% during the holiday season. 

On average, Sydneysiders spend $33.61 per five to ten kilometre trip, whereas Adelaidians see the cheapest, at $21.68. With the price surge that comes with the increase in demand over the Christmas period, Aussies could see the typical $30 trip costing upwards of $70.

“Ride service price surges are an inevitable part of the festive season. Last year we saw demand spike by as much as 35% and average price by 25%,” says Candace Ngok, Head of Growth at Placie. “The Christmas car crunch is set to be even greater this year, as people return to gatherings and celebrations after years of lockdowns and bad weather,” she adds.

So how do you avoid the hefty price surge? Come December 1 avoid booking a ride between 4pm and 8pm on Saturdays and 12am to 4am on Sundays, if possible, as the Christmas party season is in full swing. According to data collected in previous years, checking prices of ride shares and taxis in real time is always going to get you the best deal. 

Related story: Why you should never redeem your Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on these items