In this guide
Short answer: no, you don't tip a Waymo. There is no driver, and neither the Waymo app nor Uber's Waymo rides have a tip option. The price you accept before the ride is what you pay, plus fees only if you leave a mess, damage the car or change the trip.
For many riders, "no tip" is one of the best things about robotaxis: no awkward screen at the end and no guessing at 15 or 20%. Here is what you do pay, the "tip button" story from 2025, and how tipping changes the Waymo vs Uber math. For fares, see how much Waymo costs.
What you pay for a Waymo ride
- The fare shown before you book. It changes with distance, time and demand, but it's fixed once you accept.
- Cleaning fees, only if needed: $50 for a mess you report during the ride, $100 for a first unreported one. See eating in a Waymo and smoking and vaping.
- Damage fees, at Waymo's discretion, if you damage the car.
- No tip. There is no tip line at any point.
Waymo on Uber: still no tip
In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo cars are booked through the Uber app. You request UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Comfort Electric and may be matched with a Waymo. There's no driver, so there's nobody to tip; you pay the fare for the ride type you booked. Details in how to get a Waymo on Uber.
The "add a tip" button from 2025
In January 2025, security researcher Jane Manchun Wong found an unreleased screen in Waymo's Android app with a button labelled "add a 'tip'", with "tip" in quotes. The story spread fast: a tip for a car with no driver? Wong then explained that the feature was a prompt to donate to charity, picked from a list, like the round-up donations offered at some store checkouts. Waymo works with local nonprofits in its cities. As of October 21, 2026 we found no sign that riders are asked to tip Waymo itself.
Tesla Robotaxi and Zoox
Neither has a driver to tip. Tesla's Robotaxi Rider Rules list fees for dirtying or damaging the car but no tipping. Zoox's cabin has no driver's seat at all.
Does no tip make Waymo cheaper than Uber?
It closes much of the gap. In independent price data for the San Francisco area, the average Waymo ride cost about $2 more than the average Uber ride before tips. Add a 15-20% tip to that Uber fare and the two come out close. Our Waymo vs Uber comparison has the numbers.
| Waymo | Uber or Lyft with a driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Tip | None | Optional, usually 10-20% |
| Price known before booking | Yes | Yes (before tip) |
| Extra fees | Cleaning, damage, trip changes | Cleaning, wait time, tolls |
Want to say thanks for a good ride? Rate it and leave a comment in the app at the end of the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to tip a Waymo?
No. There is no driver, and the Waymo app has no tip option. You pay the fare shown when you book, plus any fees for cleaning, damage or changes to the trip.
Do you tip a Waymo on Uber?
No. When Uber matches you with a Waymo in Austin or Atlanta there is no driver to tip. You pay the fare for the ride type you booked.
Did Waymo add a tip button?
In January 2025 a researcher found an unreleased 'add a tip' screen in Waymo's Android app. She said it was actually a prompt to donate to charity, not a tip for Waymo. We found no sign that riders are asked to tip Waymo.
Should I tip the Waymo support agent?
No. Rider Support agents are Waymo employees and there's no way to tip them in the app.
Is Waymo cheaper than Uber once you add the tip?
Often it's close. Waymo fares tend to be higher than UberX, but a 15-20% tip on an Uber ride narrows or closes the gap. See our Waymo vs Uber comparison.
Update log
- Guide published. Includes the 2025 'add a tip' screen found in Waymo's app code, later described as a charity donation prompt.
Sources and official texts