From 6am rides to 4am takeaways, Uber maps how Britain really moves
- Perry Richardson
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
New data released by Uber, based on millions of trips and deliveries across the UK, shows clear regional contrasts in how people travel, eat and socialise, with major implications for mobility providers, local authorities and the night-time economy.
Edinburgh recorded the highest proportion of late-night trips in 2025, with journeys between 10pm and 4am accounting for a larger share of rides than in any other UK city. Glasgow ranked second, reinforcing Scotland’s strong late-night travel demand. London placed third, with venues such as Fabric featuring among the most requested nightlife destinations on the app.
The data shows late-night behaviour is concentrated in large cities and university hubs. London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow were among the areas most likely to place Uber Eats delivery orders between 10pm and 4am, underlining the growing role of on-demand delivery services outside traditional retail hours.
By contrast, Birmingham stood out as the UK’s earliest-rising city, recording more trips booked between 6am and 8am than anywhere else in the country. Uber said this pattern points to a strong commuter culture and sustained early-morning demand for ride-hailing services.
Edinburgh leads the UK for late-night trips while Birmingham emerges as the country’s earliest-rising city, according to new nationwide data from Uber
Food ordering trends also revealed shifting consumer preferences. Chinese cuisine remained the most searched category on Uber Eats in 2025, while interest in Italian, Japanese and Thai food grew rapidly year on year. Searches for sushi rose by 146 percent, pizza by 110 per cent and Thai food by 102 percent, suggesting changing tastes heading into 2026.
More unconventional items also saw sharp increases in demand. Searches for matcha rose by 700 percent, while everyday foods such as burgers, milkshakes and jacket potatoes also recorded notable growth. Uber said grocery and retail orders continued to rise, highlighted by one customer in Skelton, Yorkshire placing almost 600 orders from the same supermarket in a single year.
The data also reinforced the link between ride-hailing and public transport. Eight of the ten most requested destinations nationwide were train stations, indicating Uber’s continued role in first- and last-mile journeys. Among the most requested destinations were Hyde Park in London, Edinburgh Castle, Harrods, Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and Liverpool’s Beatles Story attraction.
Pet-friendly travel is another area of growth. Uber Pet trips increased by more than 30 percent across the UK in 2025, with London ranking as the most pet-friendly city. Cardiff recorded the fastest growth, with pet-related trips more than tripling compared with the previous year.
Andrew Brem, Regional General Manager for Uber UK, said: “Our data shows that from Leeds to London, people are using Uber to connect to the best that Britain has to offer. Whether it’s scouting shops on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, indulging in a treat at Cadbury World or learning about the Fab Four at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, people are embracing their passions and the country’s iconic destinations. From families enjoying an evening out, through to commuters and tourists, we’re connecting people to the moments and places that matter most.”
