Uber Copter to Capri? Yes, Really

If your dream summer includes zipping across the Amalfi Coast in a helicopter or bobbing along Capri’s coastline with a cold drink in hand, Uber’s got you. The tech giant has just dropped its latest flex in Italy: luxury travel by land, sea and air, all bookable from your phone.

As over five million tourists descend on the Amalfi Coast this summer, Uber is launching a fleet of new services designed to help holidaymakers dodge the chaos and travel like Italian royalty. Think: helicopter day trips to Capri, swanky private boat cruises, and pre-booked car rides that whisk you away from airport queues. Yes, really.

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Uber Copter is taking off—literally. For €250 per person, groups of up to six can hop on a dual-engine, dual-pilot helicopter for a round trip from Sorrento to Capri. Transfers to and from the helipad are included, and the views? Peak Amalfi. It’s a neat (and extremely Instagrammable) way to skip the ferry drama and land directly on island time.

Prefer waves to whirring blades? Uber Boat lets you sail the coast in style aboard a Gozzo 35, a classic Italian vessel oozing with Riviera charm. The four-hour private charter sets off from Sorrento Marina and comes with your own skipper, plus complimentary snacks and drinks. The boat fits up to 12, so it’s ideal for that “just because” group holiday or birthday that turned into a 10-person spreadsheet operation.

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Image @travelitaliatours via Instagram

Both experiences are bookable via the Uber app starting 25 June from anywhere in Italy, with departures every Saturday and Sunday between 26 July and 24 August. Just make sure to reserve at least 48 hours in advance—and check the forecast, as availability is weather dependent.

Uber is also expanding its ground game with Uber Reserve, which lets users schedule car rides in advance—a blessing if you’ve ever tried to get a lift during Italian summer peak hours. The update is perfectly timed, too, with Salerno Airport opening up to international flights and bringing even more travellers to the region.

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“At Uber, we strive to help our customers go anywhere, wherever they are travelling,” said Anabel Diaz, Vice President, EMEA Mobility at Uber. “Italy is fast becoming one of our most popular tourist destinations, with travellers turning to the Uber app to help make their holiday travel stress-free. This summer, we’re adding a series of unforgettable experiences that will make travelling by land, sea or air more magical than ever before.”

With more than 60,000 people opening the Uber app on the Amalfi Coast in the past year, and a 25% surge in tourist use across hotspots like Rome and Lake Como, Uber’s move into high-end coastal travel seems both savvy and inevitable.

Ciao, crowded ferries. Hello, helicopter.