Research from Arka shows New York second and Milan third
Hong Kong has the world’s priciest airport Uber ride at $240 for just over 21 miles, according to a report from Arka, an engineering firm. The research showed that Dublin’s airport route is the shortest at 6.5 miles but costs the same as the 21-mile ride in Athens. European cities show big fare gaps, with Milan charging over twice as much as London for similar distances.
Among the findings:
- New York City ranks second, with a fare of $120. While the total cost is much lower than Hong Kong’s, the price per mile is actually higher, showing how costly short-distance rides can be in some cities.
- Milan comes in third, just behind New York in price but with a longer route. Travelers pay nearly the same fare but get nearly twice the distance, making Milan a far better deal per mile.
- Rome ranks fourth, with a $98.51 fare.
- In fifth place, Munich offers a better deal, with travelers paying $66.04.
- Tokyo ranks sixth with a $65 fare. While the total cost is lower, its short distance puts it near the top in terms of price per mile.
- At seventh, Seoul averages $57 for a trip from the airport to the city center. The fare covers one of the longest routes, making it the most budget-friendly long-distance ride on the list.
- Dublin lands in eighth, with a $54.85 charge for a ride from the airport to the city center.
- Ninth place goes to Athens, which has a $52.61 fare for the same distance as Hong Kong’s ride at less than a quarter of the price.
- Rounding out the Top 10, London offers a $51.81 fare for a ride from Heathrow to the city center. Compared with Dublin, it’s a better value for a trip more than three times as long.
A spokesperson from Arka commented on the study: “Airport ride costs today are shaped more by local policies than by distance. Fees are going up in many cities, and some governments are stepping in to limit price spikes or curb unregulated charges. Travelers are paying not just for the trip — but for how a city handles ride-hailing around its airports.”
