Uber Boat Is Debuting in Mykonos — and I Was Among the First to Experience It

As a resident of New York City, hailing an Uber for transportation — whether in my hometown or a new destination — has become second nature. However, when I arrived in Athens, Greece, the options available in the app reached an entirely new standard.

Upon landing at the airport, I was welcomed by an Uber Taxi driver holding a sign with my name — an experience usually reserved for private car services. Uber has recently partnered with local taxi companies, providing users with an authentic experience while maintaining the convenience of the app.

Later, I explored the area using Uber Van, another innovative addition to Uber's offerings, designed for larger groups of passengers.

However, the most intriguing option I experienced was Uber Boat in Mykonos. This beloved Greek island now lets travelers book a water ride through the Uber app.

Launched in May, Uber Boat is set to be operational by the end of this month. This service, which collaborates with local boat operators, requires bookings to be made just 45 minutes in advance. Passengers can select a speedboat accommodating between three to eight people.

Similar to Uber's land-based services, the pricing for Uber Boat is transparent, determined by the booking time and distance. You can schedule multiple stops and share the cost with friends. It's an enjoyable experience that eliminates the uncertainty of arranging a tour or transportation in an unfamiliar area. However, unlike its land-based counterparts, Uber Boat operates seasonally.

What inspired this initiative? A significant 250-percent increase in U.S. visitors to Europe, as revealed by Uber Travel Data shared with Dinogo.

"With so many exciting travel plans on the horizon for our customers, we’re thrilled to expand our services to a variety of stunning destinations across the Mediterranean and Balearic Seas, catering to travelers’ needs," said Sarita Varouch, general manager of Greece at Uber, in a statement to T+L. "Whether it's using Uber Reserve to schedule an airport ride up to 90 days in advance, or booking an Uber Boat in Mykonos, we aim to make your travel experience more seamless, reliable, and enchanting than ever before."

In addition to Uber Taxi, Uber Boat, and Uber Van, the app has also launched Uber Comfort, a spacious vehicle that provides a "VIP vibe" and accommodates up to eight passengers. All these new offerings are available in major European cities, with recent expansions to popular islands such as Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Mallorca, Malta, Sicily, Tenerife, Sardinia, and others.

While this summer's lineup of new products ensures travelers are well-equipped, the Uber Travel feature streamlines everything. Now accessible in 10,000 cities, Uber Travel can extract information — such as flight details — from a traveler's email to consolidate it all in one place. It also allows users to book rental cars directly through the platform.

Now that I'm back in Manhattan, I've resumed using UberX for my transportation needs. However, the variety of options available abroad has me contemplating my next adventure.