Uber does not accept cash payments through its app, but you can request a cash-paying driver through Uber's "Cash" payment option if it is available in your city.
When you select Cash as your payment method in the Uber app, the system matches you with drivers who have agreed to accept cash. You pay the driver directly at the end of the ride instead of through the app. Not every city offers this option — Uber has phased it out in many markets, so you need to check whether it is live where you are before you book.
The ride fare is still calculated by Uber's algorithm and shown in the app before you request the ride. You are expected to pay that amount or close to it; tipping in cash is optional but common. If you do not have exact change, most drivers will make change for you, though it is worth asking first.
Key Takeaways
- Cash payment is only available if Uber offers it in your city — you can see this option in the app's payment settings, and if it is not there, the feature is not active in your area.
- You pay the driver directly at the end of the ride, not through the app, and the fare amount is shown before you book.
- Drivers who accept cash are matched to your request, so you cannot request a specific driver or may provide a cash-only ride.
- If cash payment is not available in your city, a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet linked to the app is required to book a ride.
How to Check If Cash Payment Is Available
Open the Uber app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Select "Wallet" or "Payment methods" depending on your app version. Scroll through the list of payment options — if you see "Cash" listed, the feature is active in your city and you can use it. If Cash does not appear, Uber does not currently offer it where you are.
Availability changes by city and can shift over time. Even if Cash was available to you in the past, it may no longer be offered. Check the app each time you want to use cash, or contact Uber support through the app to confirm whether the feature might return to your area.
What Happens When You Request a Cash Ride
After you select Cash as your payment method and request a ride, Uber pairs you with a driver who accepts cash. The app shows the estimated fare before you confirm the booking, just as it does for card payments. You can see the driver's name, vehicle, and rating, and you can track their location as they approach.
When the ride ends, the driver will tell you the final fare. You hand over cash — the amount shown in the app, or slightly more if you want to tip. The driver does not process the payment through the app; the transaction is between you and them. Keep your receipt or screenshot of the fare estimate in case there is a dispute later.
Why Uber Removed Cash Payment in Many Cities
Uber has discontinued cash payment in most major markets over the past several years. The company cited several reasons: cash slows down the payment process, it creates security risks for drivers carrying large amounts of money, and it makes it harder for Uber to track rides and prevent fraud. Digital payments also give Uber more data about user behavior and spending patterns.
The shift also reflects Uber's broader move toward a cashless economy. In cities where cash payment remains available, it is often in areas with lower digital payment adoption or where local regulations or driver demand kept the option alive. Uber has not announced plans to bring cash payment back to cities where it was removed.
Alternatives If Cash Payment Is Not Available
If Uber does not offer cash payment in your city, you will need a payment method linked to the app. A debit card or credit card is the most common option. You can also use digital wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal if they are supported in your region. Add one of these to your Wallet section in the app before you request a ride.
If you do not have a card or digital wallet, you have other options for getting around. Lyft, Uber's main competitor, also does not accept cash in most cities, but some local taxi services or ride-sharing apps in your area may. Check what payment methods are accepted before you download an app or call a service.
Tips for Paying Cash Safely
Bring bills in small denominations — fives and tens rather than a single twenty or fifty. This makes it easier for the driver to make change and reduces the chance of confusion about the amount. If you are paying with a large bill, confirm the fare amount with the driver before you hand over money.
Do not leave cash in the car after the ride ends. Count your change before the driver leaves, or ask them to wait while you verify it. If you think you were overcharged, take a screenshot of the fare estimate from the app and contact Uber support with the driver's name and the time of the ride. Uber can review the trip details even though the payment was cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a cash ride if I do not have a card on file?
No. Even if you select Cash as your payment method, you still need a valid payment method linked to your Uber account. Uber uses this to verify your identity and as a backup if there is a dispute about the fare. You do not have to use the card for the actual ride, but it must be on file.
What if the driver and I disagree on the final fare?
Contact Uber support through the app and provide the driver's name, the time of the ride, and your account details. Uber can see the calculated fare and compare it to what you report paying. If you were overcharged, Uber may refund the difference to your account, though the process can take several days.
Can I tip the driver through the app if I pay cash?
No. When you pay cash, the entire transaction happens outside the app. You can only tip the driver in cash at the end of the ride. Some drivers may ask if you can tip through the app instead, but this is not possible for cash rides.
Is it safer to pay cash or use a card?
Both are reasonably safe. Card payments are protected by Uber's dispute process and your bank's fraud protections. Cash payments are between you and the driver, so there is no digital record, but you can still contact Uber if something goes wrong. The main risk with cash is carrying large amounts of money or not having exact change.
Will Uber bring back cash payment to my city?
Uber has not announced plans to restore cash payment to cities where it was removed. The company has moved toward an all-digital payment model. If cash payment is important to you, check whether other ride-sharing or taxi services in your area accept it.