how to use BlaBlaCar to travel in Europe + what to expect
In June, Luke and I took hopped into a stranger’s car in Salamanca, Spain, on a Sunday morning and rode several hours to Seville, in the southern part of the country. We didn’t hitchhike. We didn’t know the man we rode with and hadn’t met him beforehand. So how did we do it?
We signed up for BlaBlaCar!
It might sound a bit strange, traveling across a country in a stranger’s car. I wasn’t really phased by the thought of it. To me, it’s the same as an Uber, albeit for longer journeys. I’m so used to people in New Zealand hitchhiking that when Luke suggested it, I didn’t even bat an eyelid.
We waited to meet up with our driver near the Salamanca bus station. He pulled near the curb in a clean, white car and helped us put our suitcases in the trunk. Though he spoke little English and we spoke next-to-no Spanish, he seemed friendly. He even coordinated with us to drop us off nearer to our AirBnB in Seville once he saw our heavy backpacks. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed our experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.
This post will hopefully serve as a little guide to using BlaBlaCar and getting the most out of the app! Now that domestic travel certain places is opening up, it won’t be long until traveling further is back on the docket. And when that day comes, you’ll be glad you know about BlaBlaCar and can utilize it as a transportation option.
what is BlaBlaCar?
BlaBlaCar is a website and free phone app for travelers looking to carpool to different destinations. Think of BlaBlaCar as an Intercity {and sometimes International} Uber. It allows you to hop in the car of someone who is already heading in the same direction as you are. BlaBlaCar is a win for the environment {few cars on the road}.
Most people I’ve talked to haven’t even heard of BlaBlaCar. Others are a bit nervous about jumping into a stranger’s car. The beauty of BlaBlaCar is that it makes finding an affordable ride safe. Drivers are verified and potential passengers can read reviews to help them find their ideal road trip match!
who is blablacar best suited for?
BlaBlaCar is a great form of transportation for budget travelers looking for an affordable way to get from place to place, those who don’t like bus or train travel, and people looking to visit places that are a little more “off-the-beaten track”. There are often BlaBlaCar drivers going to villages, smaller towns, and lesser-visited cities, which creates more direct pathways for travelers to get there.
step-by-step: how to take a trip with blablacar
Taking a trip with BlaBlaCar is simple 4-step process. I’ve gone ahead and added screenshots for each step from the website to make it even easier.
step #1: sign up for the website +/or download the free app
It takes no time at all to sign up online and create an account. You can download the app and create an account on your phone or head straight to the website if you prefer to do things on a desktop!
In order to create an account, you’ll need to verify your email address, telephone number, and an ID {either a passport or a National Identity Card}.
Before you make an account, make sure you have:
passport or National Identity Card
working phone + active SIM card
a drop-off location
step #2: find a ride
Once you’ve created an account, you’ll click on “Find a ride.” From there, fill in the boxes with your intended destination, where you’re leaving from, the number of passengers in your group, and when you’d like to ideally hit the road. The next screen will list all the available ride option.
Don’t click on the first option and pay right away— take your time and be picky! My tips for finding a ride you’ll be comfortable with are:
check out drivers' profiles | Seeing what other travelers thought of their experiences is key in making sure you get a safe ride with a trusted driver!
set your preferences online | If you aren’t comfortable with smoking or pets being in the car, you’ll want to make sure you set your carpooling preferences ahead of time!
step #3: book your ride + pay
You’ll be taken to a screen that will show you all the available options for rides. Once you find a ride that suits your needs and preferences, select it and pay for your seat. The booking will be confirmed and you’ll be given the driver’s phone number to get in touch.
If a driver cancels your trip, the app will refund you {read the BlaBlaCar cancellation policy here}.
step #4: enjoy the ride + leave a rating
You’ll meet your driver at the agreed upon pick-up location {make sure you get there early}. From there, it’s just a matter of sitting back and enjoying the ride.
After your trip, don’t forget to leave a rating! Ratings are super important for new potential BlaBlaCar users. Much like choosing an AirBnB, users look at driver ratings before making a booking to see whether the ride will be clean, comfortable, and what to expect from a specific driver. This is why it’s important to give an accurate rating based on your experience.
Likewise, once you begin taking rides, you will be rated as a passenger. Drivers can see your rating to determine whether or not they want to pick you up.
