Like most New Yorkers, I haven’t owned a car since I moved to the city. Baby didn’t change that one bit, and quite honestly, while I do miss the freedom that a set of wheels brings, I am very happy not having to carry the burden of gasoline, car insurance, parking issues or maintenance. I outsource my in-city transportation needs to Uber.

This all breaks down when we travel. With stroller, bags and baby, sometimes you need a car. We’ve done it both ways. Here are my thoughts on both strategies.

Ubering it

This strategy causes you to think before you leave the hotel. You need to be optimized not only for your daily needs, but also for speed. I approach Uber like a NASCAR race crew. Once the car pulls up I try to pack the trunk, load the carseat, and have everyone buckled within one minute. Pack what you will need for the day in the backpack and whatever can fit in the compartments of the stroller. Eliminate all nice to haves and leave the essentials. See our packing tips section for a good guide.

Cities like San Francisco and Austin are perfect for Uber (Let’s hope Uber is allowed to re-enter Austin).  Unless I am driving between two cities in Europe, I always go Uber. Uber is plentiful in major European cities.

Taxis

I never take taxis anymore. I feel they are neither safe nor clean. The digital footprint that Uber leaves behind gives me piece of mind, and would cause nefarious individuals to think twice before messing with my family.

Renting a car

When we visited Los Angeles we started out with just Uber, but realized very quickly that all destinations were too far apart, and Uber limited us too much in what we could bring. Especially with beach vacations, I highly recommend you rent a car.

Bottom line. Do the math. If you can get a rental car for fewer than 40 bucks a day, and you’ll be out and about a lot, a rental car will win hands down. In NYC it never pays to rent a car. The prices are astronomical and Uber and mass transit will beat it every time.

Also do your research before making a decision. Some cities have banned Uber and some have a very limited supply. In Lake Tahoe, an Uber could take up to 40 minutes to reach us.