Yes, both Uber and Bolt operate in Bath, alongside V-Cars (Veezu), the city's largest local private hire firm with more than 300 partner drivers. Uber tends to have fewer cars circulating than in a big city, so expect a longer wait than you'd get in London or Bristol, particularly late at night.
What actually operates in Bath
Bath is a compact city, and its taxi market reflects that: a handful of firms cover most of the demand, plus the two national ride-hailing apps.
Uber lists Bath as an active city, with UberX bookable through the app for pickups anywhere in the city. Coverage is real but thinner than in Bristol or London - several riders on travel forums report using it successfully but note that pickup times can run longer than in bigger cities, especially outside peak hours.
Bolt also operates in Bath, according to the company's own list of UK areas of operation, alongside its food delivery and micromobility services in the city.
V-Cars (Veezu) describes itself as the largest taxi firm in Bath, with more than 300 partner drivers taking bookings through its own app or by phone (01225 46 46 46). The same company, under the Veezu group, also covers Bristol (01179 25 26 26) and Chippenham (01249 65 65 65) on the same app, which is useful if you're travelling between the three.
Abbey Radio Cars and Bath Taxis are two other established local firms operating alongside V-Cars.
How fares compare
Hackney carriages - the black cabs you can hail at a rank or in the street - run on a metered fare set and regulated by Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council, so the price is consistent regardless of which driver you get. Private hire vehicles, whether booked through V-Cars, Abbey Radio Cars, Bath Taxis, Uber or Bolt, typically quote a fare upfront before you commit to the ride, which makes it easier to compare options side by side in the apps before booking.
Comparing your options
| Uber | Bolt | V-Cars (Veezu) | Local firms (Abbey Radio Cars, Bath Taxis) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booking | App only | App only | App or phone | Phone (some have apps) |
| Coverage | Active, but fewer cars than big cities | Active | Largest local fleet, 300+ drivers | Established, smaller fleets |
| Pricing | Upfront quote | Upfront quote | Upfront quote | Upfront quote |
| Best for | App convenience, card payment | App convenience, often competitive pricing | Reliable local availability, cross-city trips to Bristol | Familiar local service, phone bookings |
Why you might still want a local firm
Because Uber and Bolt's driver numbers in Bath are smaller than in a major city, a local firm like V-Cars can sometimes get a car to you faster, particularly at times when app drivers are thin on the ground - late at night, early morning for a train, or during big events like the Bath Half Marathon or the Christmas Market. It's worth having both an app installed and a local firm's number saved for exactly that reason.
Getting a taxi at the rank instead
If you're near the centre, Bath's official taxi ranks at the Abbey, Bath Spa Station, Henry Street, Queen Square and Westgate Buildings run all day, with additional night-only ranks on George Street, Southgate Street and Walcot Street from 9:45pm to 6am. Only licensed hackney carriages can pick up passengers who hail them directly; private hire cars, including Uber and Bolt drivers, legally have to be pre-booked through the app. See our full guide to taxis and ranks in Bath for the complete list.
For getting around without a taxi at all, our guide to getting around Bath without a car covers the buses, walking routes and Park and Ride.
FAQs
Is Uber available in Bath? Yes. Uber lists Bath as an active city and UberX is bookable through the app, though with fewer cars circulating than in a larger city, so wait times can be longer than you'd expect.
Does Bolt operate in Bath? Yes, Bolt is listed among the company's active UK service areas, covering rides in Bath alongside its other services.
What's the biggest taxi firm in Bath? V-Cars, part of the Veezu group, describes itself as the largest, with more than 300 partner drivers taking bookings by app or phone (01225 46 46 46).
Is it cheaper to use Uber or a local taxi firm in Bath? Both quote an upfront fare before you book, so it's worth checking both the app and a local firm like V-Cars for the same journey, particularly at busy times when app pricing can rise.
Can I hail an Uber on the street in Bath? No. Uber and Bolt drivers are private hire vehicles and can only pick up passengers who have pre-booked through the app - they can't legally pick up a hail off the street the way a licensed hackney carriage can.
Where are the taxi ranks in central Bath? All-day ranks operate at the Abbey, Bath Spa Station, Henry Street, Queen Square and Westgate Buildings, with night-only ranks on George Street, Southgate Street and Walcot Street from 9:45pm to 6am.