Here's how Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab and other ride services in Indianapolis compare
However, you might choose to revel, skip the most foolish decision of a night on the town: drinking and driving. Here are six ways to get home safely after drinking.
Uber
What it is: One of the two big app-based car services linking passengers and drivers.
How it works: Download the app, sign in and pay with a credit card. When you need a ride, open the app to view current availability. Set your pickup location, estimate costs, and request a ride. You will be assigned a driver with photo and make/model of the car, so you know what to look for. GPS allows users to track your driver’s progress. Once picked up, the driver will take you to your desired destination.
How much it costs: The cheapest, uberX, is $1.25 base fare + $2.55 booking fee + $0.15/minute + $0.81/mile. Prices increase for SUVs or luxury vehicles. A cost estimator can be found at uber.com/cities/Indianapolis.
Pros: It can cost less than a regular cab. The app is easy to use, and because transactions are completed online, there is no need to dig out cash or a credit card. Tips are not required.
Cons: Surge pricing. If loads of people are Downtown for a big event, requests for rides can surge. In order to get more drivers on the road, Uber can increase rates to meet demand.
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Lyft
What it is: The other big app-based car service linking passengers and drivers.
How it works: Download the app, sign in and pay with a a credit card. Punch in your destination, and you can immediately get a calculation of the cost. Once a driver responds, a picture of the driver with his or her car will appear on your PED. You can snap a picture of yourself with your phone so the driver knows who to look for.
How much it costs: $1.25 base fare + $2.55 service fee + $0.81/mile + $0.15/minute.
Pros: Lyft rides can be cheaper than cabs and response times are quicker. Tipping isn't expected, but you can offer one with cash or through the app.
Cons: During busy times, like New Year's eve or after a big sports event, Lyft, too, charges more for rides, what it calls "prime time" pricing. Passengers will pay an extra percentage on top of the base ride amount. Customers can see what the higher rates are on the app.
Dryver
What it is: The website and mobile apps offer designated driving services using your personal vehicle.
How it works: There are a couple of options: a personal driver or a pickup service. The personal driver service allows users to hire a chauffeur by the hour. The driver comes to you, leaves his or her car at your residence, and drives you in your car for the day’s festivities. The pickup service is for those who already have driven somewhere. Now you need to get yourself and your car home. A team of drivers arrive, one to take you and your car home and another to get your driver after you and your car are dropped off.
How much it costs: A personal driver is $22.95 per hour. The pickup service is $25 for car pickup + $3.45 per mile.
Pros: The personal driver is best for larger groups with big cars so you can split the cost. The pickup service is nice if you forgot to plan ahead and need to get you and your car home.
Cons: Unless you’re sharing, you’ll need deep pockets. A pickup service from Downtown to Carmel could cost more than $100.
Yellow Cab
What it is: Indy’s largest and longest-running “normal” taxi service, before all this new technology got us pushing buttons on our phone to find a ride home.
How it works: The old-school way was to look for a yellow, marked cab and wave it down or call (317) 487-7777 to request a ride. But now, Yellow Cab also has a app to request a pick-up.
How much it costs: $3 pickup fee + $2/mile + $0.40/minute waiting time + $0.65/each additional passenger.
Pros: The City of Indianapolis sets meter rates, and there are no price increases during busy times. Drivers accept all major credit cards and cash.
Cons: It could be hard to get a cab from the suburbs.
IndyGo
What it is: The city's bus system, with 32 routes.
How it works: Most bus routes run every half hour, with some running every 15 minutes and other every hour. They run on most of the city's major streets and almost all end Downtown.
What it costs: $1.75 per ride and $4 for a day pass, which is unlimited rides in one day.
Pros: Cheap, clean, fast and seldom too crowded. They are a good way to get Downtown without worrying about parking. And the buses have bike racks on the front.
Cons: IndyGo buses generally stop running around 10 p.m., which means they are of the best use if you are out for happy hour or early dinner. Some online research might be needed to familiarize yourself with the routes and schedules.
Limo service
What it is: A stretch limo, a sedan, SUV or a Hummer.
How it works: With several companies in Indianapolis, you have several options of vehicles. Call or visit websites in advance to reserve a ride. For an hourly charge the drivers will pick up and drop off each person in your party, wait while you imbibe and take you from place to place.
How much it costs: At Classic Touch Limousine Service in Indianapolis a three-passenger sedan is $81.25/hour, a six-passenger SUV is $106.25/hour, an eight-passenger stretch limousine is $106.25/hour and a 14-passenger stretch Hummer is $168.75/hour. Tips are included.
Pros: Your riding in style and will be the envy of commoners who took a cab. The limos are equipped with televisions, DVRs, music systems and ice, glasses and bottled water. BYOB.
Cons: The cost is high, and reservations are competitive on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Classic recommends doing so at least a week in advance. Some companies have a minimum rental time. Classic, for example, is six hours on New Year's Eve. Also, Classic's limos don't have a sunroof because of the liability associated with revelers who stick their head out and manage to fall out of the car or otherwise injure themselves.
Follow Amy Haneline on Twitter and Instagram @amybhaneline, and Facebook. Call her at (317) 444-6281. Call Star reporter John Tuohy at 317 444-6418 and follow on Twitter @john_tuohy.