Reserving an Uber ride ahead of time

Uber Reserve lets you book a ride up to 30 days in advance instead of requesting one right when you need it. You pick your pickup location, destination, date, and time through the Uber app, and a driver is assigned before your scheduled time. The ride works the same way as a regular Uber — the driver picks you up at the location you set, takes you to your destination, and you pay through the app.

Reserve is useful when you know exactly when you need to travel: airport trips, scheduled appointments, early morning commutes, or rides to events. Because the driver is confirmed ahead of time rather than matched at the moment you request, you have more certainty that a car will be available. You still see the driver's name, vehicle, and rating before the ride starts, just like with a regular request.

Key Takeaways

  • You can book a ride up to 30 days in advance through the Uber app by selecting a date and time instead of requesting immediately.
  • A driver is assigned to your reserved ride before your scheduled pickup time, giving you confirmation that transportation will be available.
  • The price you see when you book is the price you pay — there are no surge pricing increases between booking and pickup.
  • You can cancel a reserved ride up to one hour before the scheduled pickup time without a cancellation fee.
  • Reserve is available in most cities where Uber operates, but the feature may not be offered in every location or for every ride type.

How to book a ride in advance through the Uber app

Open the Uber app and tap the location field at the top. Enter your pickup address and your destination, then tap "Schedule" instead of "Request Now." The app will show you a calendar and time picker. Select the date you want to travel and the time you want to be picked up, then confirm.

The app will show you the estimated fare for that date and time. Tap "Confirm" to complete the booking. You will receive a confirmation screen with your reservation details, and Uber will send you a notification when a driver has been assigned — usually a few hours before your scheduled pickup, though sometimes sooner. You can view your upcoming reservations in the "Scheduled" tab within the app.

Pricing and what you pay

The price shown when you book a Reserve ride is locked in. You will not pay more if surge pricing increases between the time you book and the time you are picked up. This is different from a regular Uber request, where the price can change based on demand.

The fare is calculated the same way as a regular ride: base fare, distance, and time. Tolls, if any, are added to your total. Tips are separate and can be added through the app after the ride is complete. If the price changes due to a route change you request (for example, if you ask the driver to take a different way), you may be charged a different amount.

Cancelling or changing a reserved ride

You can cancel a reserved ride up to one hour before your scheduled pickup time without paying a cancellation fee. Open the app, go to "Scheduled," find the ride, and tap "Cancel Ride." If you cancel within one hour of pickup, Uber may charge a cancellation fee, typically the same as a regular cancellation fee in your area.

If you need to change the time or location of your reservation, cancel the original ride and book a new one. Uber does not offer a direct edit function for scheduled rides. Changes made less than one hour before pickup may result in a cancellation fee on the original booking.

When a driver is assigned and what happens at pickup time

Uber assigns a driver to your reserved ride before your scheduled pickup time. You will receive a notification in the app showing the driver's name, vehicle type, license plate, and rating. The driver can see your pickup location and destination and knows this is a scheduled ride.

At your scheduled pickup time, the driver will head to your location. Like a regular Uber, you should be ready and waiting at the pickup spot you selected. If you are running late, you can message the driver through the app. If you are more than a few minutes late, the driver may cancel the ride, and you could be charged a cancellation fee.

Availability and limitations of Uber Reserve

Uber Reserve is available in most major cities where Uber operates, but not everywhere. The feature may not be offered in smaller cities or rural areas. You can only see whether Reserve is available for your route by opening the app and attempting to schedule a ride — if the "Schedule" option does not appear, Reserve is not available for that location or ride type.

Reserve is typically available for UberX and Uber Comfort. Premium services like Uber Black or Uber Eats do not use the Reserve system. The 30-day advance booking window applies in most places, but some regions may have shorter or longer windows. Check your app to see the maximum advance booking time in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve an Uber for someone else?

No. You must book the ride through your own Uber account, and you must be the passenger. The ride is tied to your account and payment method. If you want to send someone a ride, use the "Send a Ride" feature instead, which books an immediate ride (not a scheduled one) and charges your account.

What if my driver cancels a reserved ride?

If a driver cancels after being assigned, Uber will attempt to find another driver for your scheduled time. You will receive a notification and a new driver will be assigned if one is available. If no driver is found, you can cancel without a fee and book a regular ride or try scheduling again.

Do I pay more for reserving a ride in advance?

No. The price for a reserved ride is based on the same factors as a regular ride: distance, time of day, and demand at the time you book. You do not pay a booking fee or premium for scheduling. The locked-in price is actually an advantage because surge pricing cannot increase your fare between booking and pickup.

Can I change my pickup or drop-off location after booking?

You cannot edit a scheduled ride directly. You must cancel the original reservation and book a new ride with the new locations. If you cancel within one hour of pickup, a cancellation fee may apply to the original booking.

What happens if I am not ready when the driver arrives?

The driver will wait a short time at your pickup location. If you do not appear within a few minutes, the driver may cancel the ride. You will be charged a cancellation fee. Message the driver through the app if you are running late so they know to wait.