The Small-Town Travel Mistake That Can Ruin Your Entire Trip

Traveling to small towns and rural destinations is well worth the effort, but ensuring that you have the necessary means to get around is crucial. If you're someone who appreciates country living and a slower pace, then escaping the hustle and bustle of big cities in order to visit charming villages and towns around the world is worth the effort. Even travel experts like Rick Steves recommend pausing to spend a few days in small towns when you're traveling between Europe's big cities. If you do get out to the country during your next getaway, just make sure you don't expect to rely on rideshare apps and taxis, because they might not be available.

In most cities and medium sized towns, taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts make getting around super easy. But don't make the mistake of relying on driving services to get where you need to go in a small town, because you could end up stranded. It's a good idea to consider renting a car instead, or ensuring that there's public transportation before you go.

When it comes to visiting rural destinations, getting there isn't the problem. There are some small towns in America that you can reach by train or bus, and in Europe, it's even easier to reach villages via public transportation. Alternatively, you can usually hire a taxi, Uber, or Lyft at any major airport, and as long as you're willing to pay the price, they'll generally take you as far as you want to go. The problems begin when you need to travel around within a small town. Unless the entire town is walkable, you might end up in a sticky situation.

Uber and Lyft don't operate everywhere. You can check the Uber or Lyft websites ahead of time to see if your destination is one in which their services are offered, but there is no guarantee that a driver will be able to pick you up. There might only be a few drivers in the area, and they might not be available when you require a ride.

Plenty of travelers have had to learn the hard way that relying on rideshare services in a small town is a huge mistake. One driver discussed the problem on Reddit. "Sometimes there's drivers, sometimes there's not. I'm one of those drivers, sometimes I'll be the only one out and people tell me they have to wait hours sometimes before they get someone," the Redditor u/DubNationAssemble wrote. They said that one of the main reasons there aren't many options in a small town is because there usually aren't enough people using the service. "Personally I usually commute an hour to drive in a bigger city because the demand where I live is just not there. I've literally sat outside a bar at closing time waiting for rides to come in and watch everyone leave and I get zero requests, no one is taking Ubers here," they wrote.

When it comes time to head back to the airport, or to move on to your next destination, you may face further problems. One traveler, u/SaiyanDark, ran into issues when visiting a small town in Michigan and posted about it on the r/uber subreddit. When they tried to book an Uber to leave they said the app was "not letting me reserve it at all." Plenty of other travelers responded with reports of similar problems.

If you're unable to rent a car when visiting small towns, and rideshares or taxis are your only option, you should plan your return trip well in advance. If you get a ride from the airport in an Uber or Lift, it's a good idea to get that driver's contact info and ask if they'd be willing to pick you up when you need to depart.

Research public transportation options and shuttle services before you embark on your trip, and have a back up plan. If worse comes to worst, check in with someone who works at a local hotel or bed and breakfast. They may be able to help arrange a ride for you, but don't be surprised if it's an expensive trip. With proper planning, it's possible to explore small towns without a car of your own, but don't expect an Uber or Lyft to be available whenever you need one.