How to request a ride on the Uber app
Open the Uber app on your phone and tap the box at the top that says "Where to?" Enter your destination address or the name of a place you want to go. Uber will show you the pickup location it detected from your phone's location — check that it's correct, because rides start from wherever the app thinks you are right now.
The app will show you different ride types available in your area: UberX (standard cars), Uber Comfort (newer vehicles with extra legroom), UberXL (larger vehicles for groups), and sometimes others depending on your city. Each option shows the estimated fare and how many minutes until a driver arrives. Tap the ride type you want.
After you select a ride type, tap "Request" at the bottom of the screen. The app will search for a nearby driver. Once a driver accepts, you'll see their name, photo, car details, and real-time location on a map. You can message the driver or call them directly from the app if you need to give them more information about where to meet.
Key Takeaways
- You need the Uber app installed on your phone, a valid payment method on file, and a destination address to request a ride.
- The app shows you the estimated fare and driver arrival time before you confirm the request, so you know the cost upfront.
- Once a driver accepts, you can see their location in real time and message or call them directly through the app.
- You can cancel a ride before the driver arrives, though cancellation fees may apply if you cancel after a driver has started heading to you.
- Payment happens automatically through your saved payment method when the ride ends — you don't hand cash or a card to the driver.
Payment methods and how charges work
Uber charges your payment method automatically when your ride ends. You can add a credit card, debit card, or linked bank account to your Uber account in the app under "Payment." Most riders use a credit or debit card because the charge appears immediately and you get a receipt right away.
The fare is calculated based on the base fare for your city, the distance traveled, and the time spent in the ride. Surge pricing — a higher rate during busy times — may apply, and the app will show you the multiplier (for example, 1.5x the normal fare) before you request. You'll see the estimated total before you confirm the ride, though the final charge may be slightly different if the route changes or traffic adds time.
Tolls, airport fees, and other surcharges are added to your fare and charged to the same payment method. You receive an itemized receipt in the app after the ride ends, showing the base fare, distance, time, any surcharges, and the tip (if you added one).
Adding and managing payment methods
Go to the menu in the Uber app — tap the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner — and select "Payments." Tap "Add payment method" and choose whether you're adding a card or a bank account. Enter the required information and Uber will verify it, usually within a few minutes.
You can save multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each ride. To change your default payment method, go back to the Payments section and tap the method you want to use as your primary option. If a payment method fails during checkout, the app will prompt you to choose a different one before the ride starts.
To remove a payment method, open the Payments section, find the method you want to delete, and tap the trash icon or "Remove." You must have at least one valid payment method on file to request a ride.
What happens if your payment fails
If your card is declined or your bank account can't be charged, Uber will notify you in the app and ask you to add or update a payment method before you can request another ride. If payment fails after a ride has already started, Uber will try the payment method again when the ride ends. If it fails a second time, you'll receive a message asking you to update your payment information within a set time frame.
If you don't update your payment method after a failed charge, Uber may suspend your account until the balance is paid. You can resolve this by adding a working payment method and allowing Uber to charge the outstanding balance, or by contacting Uber Support through the app to discuss the issue.
Tipping your driver
You can tip your driver in the app after the ride ends. Open the receipt for your completed ride and tap "Add tip." Choose a preset amount (usually 15%, 18%, or 20% of the fare) or enter a custom amount. Tips are added to your total charge and paid through the same payment method as the ride.
You can also tip before rating your driver, and you have up to 30 days after a ride to add or change a tip. If you don't tip immediately, you can still go back to your ride history, find the trip, and add a tip later through the app.
Canceling a ride and cancellation fees
You can cancel a ride at any point before the driver arrives or after they've picked you up. To cancel, open the active ride screen and tap "Cancel Ride" at the bottom. If you cancel before a driver accepts your request, there's no charge. If you cancel after a driver has accepted and started heading to your pickup location, Uber may charge a cancellation fee — usually between $3 and $10 depending on your city and how far the driver has traveled.
If a driver cancels on you, you won't be charged. If you need to cancel because of an emergency or change of plans, do it as soon as possible to avoid the fee. The app will show you whether a cancellation fee applies before you confirm the cancellation.
Receipts and expense tracking
Every ride generates a receipt that appears in your Uber app under "Your Trips." The receipt shows the pickup and dropoff locations, the date and time, the driver's name, the fare breakdown (base fare, distance, time, surcharges), any tip you added, and the total amount charged. You can take a screenshot of the receipt or forward it to your email directly from the app.
If you're using Uber for work and need to track expenses, you can export your ride history. Go to the menu, select "Account," then "Documents," and choose "Tax documents" or "Ride history" to download a summary of your trips and charges for a specific time period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request an Uber without a smartphone?
No, you need the Uber app or the Uber website on a computer to request a ride. Uber does not accept phone calls to request rides. If you don't have a smartphone, you can use a computer to request a ride and have it sent to your phone number, or ask someone else to request the ride for you using their app.
What if I leave something in the Uber?
Open the Uber app, go to your ride history, find the trip where you lost the item, and tap "I lost an item." Describe what you lost and Uber will contact the driver on your behalf. If the driver has your item, you can arrange to pick it up or have it returned. Some drivers charge a fee for returning items, which you'll agree to before they send it back.
Can I request a ride for someone else?
Yes, you can request a ride and have it sent to another person's phone number. In the app, after you enter your destination, look for an option to add a passenger or send the ride details to someone else. The ride will still be charged to your payment method, but the other person will receive the driver's details and can track the ride in real time.
Do I need to tip in cash or through the app?
Tipping through the app is the standard method and the only way most Uber drivers expect to be tipped. You can add a tip up to 30 days after your ride ends. Cash tips are not required and most drivers do not carry change, so tipping through the app is the easiest option for both you and the driver.
What if the driver takes a longer route than necessary?
If you believe the driver took an unnecessarily long route, you can contact Uber Support through the app after the ride ends. Go to your ride receipt, tap "Help," and select "I was charged too much" or "Issue with route." Describe what happened and Uber will review the trip. If they determine the route was inefficient, they may refund part of your fare.