Odesa is a beautiful large city on the Black Sea coast. For many residents and visitors, taxi service is a necessity. When you are late for an important meeting, taking a child to the hospital, or rushing to catch a train, a taxi is often essential. Late in the evening or at night, it may be the only way to get home. Many locals also use taxis daily to avoid crowded minibuses and to handle everyday errands instead of driving their own car. That is why there are dozens of taxi services in the city. It is difficult to list them all, as the market constantly changes, but here are the most popular ones.
Main Taxi Services in Odesa
Major international aggregators such as Bolt, Uklon, and Uber operate in the city with their own mobile applications. These apps provide instant information about the vehicle model and number, driver details, car location, estimated arrival time, and other trip information. Passengers can leave reviews in the app, which significantly affects both the company’s reputation and the driver’s rating.
Uber typically uses the following vehicle categories:
- compact cars such as Hyundai, Toyota, Skoda, VW, Renault (not older than 2008) with air conditioning — Uber X (Budget);
- Uber Select (Comfort) — more spacious and comfortable vehicles;
- Uber Comfort (Comfort+) — newer cars with higher-rated drivers;
- Uber Black (Premium) — black sedans or SUVs with leather interiors;
- Uber XL/VAN — minivans and minibuses for 6–8 passengers;
- electric vehicles.
Bolt offers a similar classification, although budget-class vehicles may be from 2000 and newer.
Uklon vehicles may be from 1998 onward, though in larger cities they are typically from 2013–2018. All vehicles are technically maintained, equipped with climate control, and safe for passengers.
There are also local services operating via short phone numbers such as 838, which can be ordered through a dispatcher.
Shark Taxi is also popular, offering various vehicle classes and relatively affordable fares.
Whether a service operates only within the city or also provides intercity transportation should be уточнено individually. Usually, it is possible to order rides to the surrounding areas of Odesa or to cities such as Izmail, Kiliya, and Podilsk at a separate rate.
How to Identify a Taxi in Odesa
Taxi vehicles may be marked externally by:
- a black-and-white checkered pattern;
- company logos;
- a roof light sign labeled “Taxi”;
- special license plates.
When using mobile apps, vehicles may not have visible markings, but they can be identified by the license plate shown in the app.
To ensure safety and service quality, it is recommended to call taxis using the contact details listed in the “Grand Taxi” directory. It includes only reliable Ukrainian companies with established reputations and high service standards.
“Grand Taxi” is a trusted assistant when choosing a taxi in any city across Ukraine.