Some of the most common inquiries we receive about pricing are: ‘Why is Bolt cheaper than its competitors?’, ‘What influences Bolt prices?’ and ‘How much do Bolt partner drivers make?’

For quick answers, you can always check our Support pages. However, if you’d like a deeper dive into how our pricing works, we’ve put together this blog post to answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Bolt pricing.

1. When are Bolt prices the lowest?

While our dedication to fair pricing never changes, prices may fluctuate depending on demand.

For example, fares tend to be higher during peak hours — when more passengers request rides than there are available drivers. During these times, prices may automatically increase to encourage more drivers to go online and accept ride requests, helping ensure that everyone gets a ride.

Peak hours usually occur before and after the 9-to-5 workdays, on weekend nights, during bad weather, and around major events like concerts or sports matches.

Bolt prices tend to be lower outside of these busy times. So, if you have a flexible schedule, avoiding peak hours is a great way to save on your ride.

2 more ways to save on Bolt rides

While fares tend to be lower outside peak hours, finding a ride during unusual hours may take longer due to fewer available drivers.

Consider using the ride scheduling feature to secure your ride in advance during these times. With Scheduled Rides, you can lock in your fare up to 90 days ahead, helping you avoid last-minute price fluctuations and potentially saving you money.

Another great way to save money is by joining Bolt Plus. This membership offers exclusive perks, including cashback, free ride cancellations, and priority pickups, making your rides more affordable and convenient.

when is bolt cheapest

2. What influences Bolt ride prices?

Several factors affect Bolt ride fare, including:

Demand and supply

When ride demand increases (e.g., during rush hour or major events), prices may increase to encourage more drivers to become active. Conversely, prices tend to be lower when demand is steady or low.

Distance and duration

Longer and more time-consuming rides naturally cost more due to increased fuel and time spent on the road.

Weather conditions

Bad weather, such as rain, snow, or high winds, often increases ride demand and prices.

Local regulations and fees

In some cities, pricing is influenced by local regulations that set fare rates or require additional costs, such as road tolls.

Ride type

Different ride options come at different prices, depending on the vehicle size and comfort level, e.g.:

Bolt – Affordable, everyday rides in standard cars.
Bolt Premium – A luxury ride experience with high-end vehicles at a higher fare.
Bolt XL – A spacious option, usually a minivan or large SUV with at least six passenger seats, perfect for groups or extra luggage.

Wait time and stops

If your driver has to wait for you beyond the free waiting time or if you add extra stops to your trip during your ride, your fare will increase.

Discounts and promotions

Special offers, discounts, and promotions can reduce your fare. Make sure you apply promo codes or Bolt Balance credit before booking your ride.

bolt ride prices

3. Why did my Bolt ride price increase?

Several factors can cause your estimated fare to change within seconds:

The nearest driver may have moved away or been booked by another passenger.
Rush hour may have started, increasing demand.
Weather conditions may have worsened, leading to higher demand for rides.

The cost of a ride between the same two locations may also vary by day due to:

Local events or holidays that increase demand.
Traffic patterns that add to trip duration.
Weather conditions affecting ride availability.
Route disruptions like road closures or accidents.

However, our pricing is fully transparent — you’ll always see the estimated fare upfront before confirming your ride.

Once your request is submitted, the cost may only increase if actual ride conditions — such as traffic or route disruptions — differ significantly from the estimate or if the fare doesn’t include additional local fees, like tolls. Or if you add extra stops or exceed the free waiting time limit.

4. How much does Bolt charge for waiting?

Waiting time starts when your driver arrives at your pickup location and ends when the ride begins.

For on-demand ride requests, you get 2 minutes of free waiting time.
For scheduled rides, you get 5 minutes of free waiting time.

Once your free waiting time expires, a per-minute waiting fee applies. The exact charge depends on your city and ride type.

If you don’t respond to messages or show up, the driver can cancel the ride, and a cancellation fee may apply.

For help with common payment issues, read our blog.

5. How much does a Bolt ride cost?

The cost of a Bolt ride depends on several factors, including distance, trip duration, and the ride type you choose. Prices may also vary based on demand, time of day, and local conditions such as traffic or weather.

For an accurate price estimate, simply enter your ride details and select your preferred ride type in the app.

Please note that additional charges, such as tolls, may apply in some countries.

Read more about price estimates here.

6. How much do Bolt partner drivers make?

One of the most common questions we get from drivers is about earnings. Naturally, you want to know how much you can make and what factors influence your earnings.

Earning with Bolt is simple and transparent — there are no hidden fees, no fixed schedule, and you only pay a commission on completed rides.

However, providing a fixed figure of how much Bolt partner drivers make is difficult, as earnings depend on several factors.

How much you earn as a driver depends on:

Your city – Earnings vary by location and local ride demand.
Number of completed rides – The more you drive, the more you earn.
Time of day – Driving during peak hours can increase earnings.

Since there’s no limit to how much you can earn and no set hours, you’re in complete control of your earnings. Whether you drive daily or just a couple of hours a week, you decide what works best for you.

How to increase your earnings as a driver

Here are some of the ways you can boost your income even more:

Participate in campaigns to earn rewards.
Provide excellent service to increase tips.
Take advantage of the Bolt Rewards perks to save on expenses and boost profits.

By applying these strategies, you can make the most of your time on the road and maximise your earnings potential.

Check your local Bolt blog or driver support pages for average hourly, weekly, or monthly earnings in your city, along with additional tips to increase your profits.

how much do drivers make

7. Which is cheaper: Bolt or Uber/Lyft/Didi/Grab/taxis?

Ride prices depend on various factors, so it’s difficult to say whether Bolt is always the most affordable option in a specific city.

However, we are committed to offering competitive fares while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Find out how in the next section.

8. Why is Bolt cheaper than Uber/Lyft/Didi/Grab/taxis?

If you notice that Bolt rides are constantly more affordable than our competitors in your city, it may be due to 3 key factors:

Our cost-efficient business model.
Our low commission.
Our frugal operating approach.

Why is Bolt cheaper than taxis?

Bolt was founded on the belief that the traditional taxi industry model is economically inefficient.

Traditional taxi drivers often spend hours idling at stands, waiting for passengers. With fewer rides per day, taxis have to charge higher fares to earn a profit. These high prices, complicated booking systems, and low reliability have made taxis a less attractive option for many passengers.

Bolt makes transport affordable by maximising efficiency.

Our platform reduces driver downtime while increasing their earnings. By dynamically matching drivers with passengers through an app, we keep drivers on the road more often, ensuring back-to-back rides. This spreads fixed costs (like vehicle expenses) over more trips, reducing per-ride costs and making ride-hailing more affordable and accessible.

Why is Bolt cheaper than Uber/Lyft/Didi/Grab?

1. Lower commission

Aside from being cost-efficient, Bolt operates on a positive feedback loop powered by a low commission model.

why is bolt cheaper

We have no hidden fees and aim to keep our commission lower than competitors in every city we operate in. This ensures that:

Drivers earn more per ride.
Passengers pay lower fares.
Ride-hailing remains an affordable and reliable choice.

How it works:

A lower commission makes each ride more profitable for drivers, attracting more of them to the platform.
With more drivers available, wait times decrease, and reliability improves, making ride-hailing a more convenient option.
As the service becomes more affordable and reliable, more passengers start using it regularly.
More customers lead to higher and more stable driver earnings, encouraging even more drivers to join.

This cycle repeats, continuously improving service quality and making ride-hailing the smarter choice for everyone.

2. Company culture

At Bolt, our frugal operating approach is a key reason we can keep ride prices lower than competitors.

Unlike other ride-hailing companies that spend heavily on extravagant offices, excessive perks, and costly subsidies, we focus on lean, efficient operations that prioritise affordability and sustainability.

By keeping our overhead costs low, we’re able to charge drivers a lower commission, meaning they earn more per ride while passengers enjoy lower fares in every city we operate in.

pricing

Frugality is one of our core principles, allowing us to pass savings to our customers and partners

Sustainability and environmental goals

Bolt’s cost-efficient approach is also reflected in our commitment to sustainability:

Net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
100% renewable electricity in Bolt-controlled offices, warehouses, charging docks, and Bolt Market premises by 2025.
90% of waste repurposed through circular economy solutions by 2030.

By combining innovation, frugality, and efficiency, Bolt continues to offer lower ride prices without compromising on quality, safety, or driver earnings.

Explore all the safety features available in your country on the Bolt Rider Safety page.

Bolt — fast, safe and affordable rides for everyone

We hope you found answers to your questions.

For more details, check Bolt’s support pages or your local Bolt blog.

If you need further assistance, feel free to contact our support team through the Bolt app — we’re here to help!

Bolt pricing explained: A Q&A guide

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