In this guide
Short answer: in Austin and Atlanta, Waymo is only available through Uber. Turn on Account › Settings › Ride preferences › Autonomous vehicles, then request an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Comfort Electric inside the service area. If a Waymo is offered, accept it and unlock the car from the Uber app. In Nashville, Waymo is also matched through Lyft at no extra cost.
Partnerships with Uber and Lyft are how Waymo launched in some cities. They give you the convenience of an app you already have, at the cost of not being able to pick the robotaxi directly. In every other Waymo city, use the Waymo app (see how to ride Waymo).
Where Waymo works with Uber and Lyft
| City | App | Eligible ride types | Waymo app too? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Uber | UberX, Uber Electric, Comfort, Comfort Electric | No |
| Atlanta, GA | Uber | UberX, Uber Electric, Comfort, Comfort Electric | No (Waymo app planned) |
| Nashville, TN | Lyft | Standard, Priority Pickup, Wait & Save, Extra Comfort | Yes |
Ride options may vary by area. Checked October 21, 2026.
Step by step: Waymo on Uber
- Turn on autonomous rides. In the Uber app: Account › Settings › Ride preferences › Autonomous vehicles. This doesn't guarantee a Waymo, but it raises your chances.
- Request an eligible ride (UberX, Uber Electric, Comfort or Comfort Electric) from a pickup point inside the Waymo area.
- Accept the offer. If a Waymo is available, Uber shows a ride offer; tap Accept ride. Decline it and you get a regular driver.
- Find the car. It's an electric Jaguar I-PACE showing your initials on the roof dome.
- Unlock it in the Uber app with Unlock car, load bags, buckle up and start the ride on the car's screen.
- Get help 24/7 through the Uber app or Waymo's in-car screen.
You'll get more matches in the core of each service area and at off-peak times, when more Waymo cars are free. Airport trips aren't matched with Waymo in Austin or Atlanta.
Waymo on Lyft in Nashville
Since September 2026, Lyft has matched Nashville riders with Waymo cars across central neighborhoods such as Downtown and Broadway, Germantown, East Nashville, Midtown and South Nashville. Request a Standard, Priority Pickup, Wait & Save or Extra Comfort ride; matching is dynamic and an autonomous car costs nothing extra. Nashville riders can also book directly in the Waymo app, which is the only way to choose Waymo for sure and to use teen accounts or the airport.
Rules on Uber and Lyft
- Up to four riders; the driver's seat is off-limits.
- No pets; service animals allowed.
- Account holders must be 18 or older; Waymo's teen accounts don't work through Uber or Lyft.
- Price: the normal fare for the ride type you requested, with no robotaxi premium. Compare in Waymo vs Uber.
Other robotaxis on Uber and Lyft
- Austin: Tesla Robotaxi runs separately in its own app (see Tesla Robotaxi).
- Dallas: Avride cars on Uber, with a safety operator.
- Atlanta: May Mobility on Lyft, with an operator aboard.
- Las Vegas: Motional on Uber, supervised.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi: fully driverless Apollo Go and WeRide cars on Uber. See driverless taxis in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a Waymo in the Uber app?
Not directly. You request an eligible ride type (UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Comfort Electric) and, if you have autonomous vehicles turned on in your ride preferences, you may be offered a Waymo. You accept or decline the offer.
Does a Waymo on Uber cost more?
No. Uber and Lyft charge the same price as the ride type you requested. Lyft says being matched with an autonomous car carries no extra charge.
Can I say no to a Waymo on Uber?
Yes. Uber sends an offer you can accept; if you decline, you get a regular driver. In Uber, you can also leave the autonomous vehicle setting off.
Do I tip a Waymo booked through Uber?
There is no driver to tip. You pay the fare for the ride type you booked.
Update log
- Guide published. Added Lyft in Nashville (since September 2026) and freeway trips in Austin.
Sources and official texts