Uber surge price: Why getting an Uber after Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour show may cost more - explained

• Uber has a surge pricing policy in place for customers
• Prices to get an Uber can increase at peak hours or after major events
• Fans heading to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows should plan the journey ahead of time

Taylor Swift fans will be looking to avoid having a ‘Cruel Summer’ and being left with a ‘Blank Space’ in their bank accounts when trying to get home from the Eras shows. 

Thousands and thousands of Swifties will be descending on the biggest outdoor venues across Britain in June and August. Edinburgh saw huge queues for merch stands and extra rail services were put on to keep up with the demand. 

If you prefer to catch an Uber home after an event, you will have to keep your eyes peeled on prices at the end of an Eras Tour show. The ride sharing company operates a surge pricing policy and it could see your fare soaring in cost. 

Here’s all you need to know: 

How does surge pricing work? 

For those who have used Uber before, you might have encountered moments when prices are higher than you may usually expect. Particularly when leaving major events or at peak hours. 

Surge pricing has spread to a number of consumer industries throughout the 2020s, Ticketmaster in the US has faced backlash for the practice. Pubs in the UK have even tried to introduce “dynamic pricing” and it has been used by energy companies during cost of living crisis. 

Fans heading to any of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour shows this summer can expect to encounter surge pricing when the curtain comes down each night. So make sure to plan ahead and be mentally prepared to have to fork out extra - or plan an alternative way home. 

Uber drivers are able to see areas where the prices are surging, with the colour on the map changing from light orange to dark red in more demand neighbourhoods. 

How are surge prices calculated? 

If you are leaving one of Taylor Swift's shows and notice that Uber prices are more expensive than usual you might be wondering how it is calculated. The ride sharing company keeps the details behind its pricing algorithm close to its chest, which is to be expected. 

However on its website (https://www.uber.com/gb/en/drive/driver-app/how-surge-works/) , Uber explains: “When prices are surging, an additional surge amount, or an upfront price including the surge amount will be shown on your offer card. This will vary depending on your city.

“Because prices are updated based on the demand in real time, surge can change quickly. Surge pricing is also specific to different areas in a city, so some neighbourhoods may have surge pricing at the same time that other neighbourhoods do not.”

Where is Taylor performing next?

The Eras Tour will be coming to cities in England, Ireland and Wales between June and August. During this time she will also return to the European continent for other shows.

The remaining UK and Ireland dates are as follows:

• 13 June - Liverpool - Anfield
• 14 June - Liverpool - Anfield
• 15 June - Liverpool - Anfield
• 18 June - Cardiff - Principality Stadium
• 21 June - London - Wembley Stadium
• 22 June - London - Wembley Stadium
• 23 June - London - Wembley Stadium
• 28 June - Dublin - Aviva Stadium
• 29 June - Dublin - Aviva Stadium
• 30 June - Dublin - Aviva Stadium
• 15 August - London - Wembley Stadium
• 16 August - London - Wembley Stadium
• 17 August - London - Wembley Stadium
• 19 August - London - Wembley Stadium
• 20 August - London - Wembley Stadium

The Eras Tour arriving in the Scottish capital was a big moment for our sister title the Edinburgh Evening News, who had thorough and excellent coverage throughout the weekend. If you want a taste of what it was like to be at one of Taylor’s shows, here's a fantastic first person piece about going to the show with an 11-year-old.