May 20, 2025, 12:58 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Whether heading home from a girls’ night out, catching an early morning flight, or just between appointments—ride services like Uber and Bolt offer many advantages. However, for women, safety concerns with mobility companies are often crucial. What should you do if you feel uncomfortable? Which features truly help? And are there rides available with female drivers only?
Do you know the feeling? You have had a long evening, your phone is almost dead, the way home is dark, and somehow you feel uneasy getting into a taxi alone or calling a car via an app. Mobility companies like Uber promise flexibility and comfort—but what about your safety? We’ve taken a closer look and compiled the best tips and tools for you to reach your destination relaxed (and safe!).
Overview
- Alone on the Go? How to Protect Your Data
- Sharing is Safer! How Live Tracking Works
- Your Smartphone as a Bodyguard–Security Features You Should Know
- Women Driving Women
- Safety on the Way Home—Even Without the Uber App
- Trust is Good, Control is Better—How to Recognize Your Car
- Training for More Safety
- If Something Happens—How to Get Help
- Drive Safer with Knowledge and the Right Features
Alone on the Go? How to Protect Your Data
When you’re out alone at night, you primarily want one thing: to be left alone. Good to know: both Uber and Bolt anonymize your phone number. So when you call your driver through the app, your number remains hidden, as is your address. This ensures more privacy and fewer awkward questions after the third “And, where exactly do you live?”
Sharing is Safer! How Live Tracking Works
Safety feature with style: With both apps, you can share your ride in real time with a trusted person. This means family or friends can see where you are—from getting in the car to arriving at your door. Especially handy if you’re out late or have a weird feeling.
Extra with Bolt: If something happens and you’re unreachable, your designated trusted contacts are automatically notified. Smart!
Your Smartphone as a Bodyguard–Security Features You Should Know
Emergency Button in the App
Whether Uber or Bolt—both services offer an emergency call function directly in the app. With Uber, your location is even transmitted. This saves precious seconds in an emergency. The Bolt safety team is also immediately informed.
RideCheck (Uber)
Here, the system detects if a ride suddenly stops or takes unusually long—and proactively checks if everything is okay.
Vehicle Monitoring (Bolt)
Detects if your car stops for an unusually long time or deviates from the route. Sounds like sci-fi, but it offers real protection.
Women Driving Women
Bolt offers the “Women Only” option in some cities, where female passengers are picked up exclusively by female drivers. A big plus, especially for nighttime solo rides. Uber is also working on such features and supports female drivers through targeted programs. By the way, Uber offers special communities for female drivers where women can exchange, network, and support each other online and safely.
Additionally, there’s the company “G-Cars” in Berlin. Founder Nadin has aimed to fill a glaring gap in urban public transport since early 2023. Her concept: a ride service specifically targeting female passengers and relying exclusively on female drivers. The service is bookable around the clock via its own app.
Also interesting: How an App Aims to Increase Safety for Women in Public Spaces
Safety on the Way Home—Even Without the Uber App
Since the 1980s, women have been demanding safe ways home. The concept of the so-called “women’s taxi,” often state-subsidized, emerged back then. Even today, some cities offer discounted taxi rides for women at night—sometimes even at public transport prices.
Selection of German Cities with Women’s Taxis
Heidelberg
Heidelberg has offered a women’s night taxi since 1992. It is aimed at individuals aged 14 and older who identify as female and have an official residence in Heidelberg. The service is available from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and operates with a fixed-price ticket that must be purchased before the ride.
Mannheim
In Mannheim, a women’s night taxi has existed since 2019. Since 2022, the service is only available to women residing in Mannheim, provided the ride begins within the city limits. The city subsidizes each ride, and participating taxi companies must undergo special training.
Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg first introduced the women’s night taxi in 1991. After a pause, it was reintroduced in 2017—partly in response to the Maria Ladenburger case. Women can use this service during nighttime hours.
Munich
In 2015, the Green Party faction in Munich’s city council applied for a subsidized women’s taxi model. It aims to take women home from public transport stops at night—following the example of Hanover. Currently (as of May 13, 2025), the quota is exhausted. It’s best to check actively on the website.
Tübingen
Tübingen was the first city in Germany to introduce a night taxi specifically for women in 1985. The goal was to provide women with more safety on their way home at night.
Bielefeld
A pilot project for women’s taxis was conducted in Bielefeld to provide women with a safe ride home. It was one of the pilot projects in Germany.
Hamburg (Bergedorf)
In 1992, the so-called “Women’s Night Car Bergedorf” (FNB) started in Hamburg-Bergedorf, operating with minibuses until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on weekends. HVV customers received discounts on the fare.
Trust is Good, Control is Better—How to Recognize Your Car
Before getting in: Check the license plate, model, and driver photo in the app. Uber also offers a security code on request—only those who know the code can pick you up. Bolt takes it a step further: with the pickup code, you are guaranteed to get into the right car. Handy if the meeting point is crowded—or if fatigue is setting in.
Training for More Safety
Did you know that Uber offers special training to prevent sexual harassment? Or that both services collaborate with aid organizations like “No More”? The goal: to sensitize, educate, and better protect drivers and passengers. This way, safety at Uber and others becomes not just a feature—but part of the corporate culture.
If Something Happens—How to Get Help
Both services offer 24/7 support—around the clock, even at night. Uber even has a team of specially trained security officers. Bolt is also available via app or phone if something happens. Important: Always report incidents—only then can platforms take action.
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Drive Safer with Knowledge and the Right Features
Mobility is freedom—and safety is its foundation. If you know and use the safety features of Uber and Bolt, you’re on the best path to relaxed rides, day and night. Whether it’s anonymized numbers, live tracking, or women-only rides‚many offerings ensure a good feeling on the go.
Final tip: Familiarize yourself with the safety features of your preferred app—before it gets urgent. That way, you’re prepared for anything.