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The 10 Cheapest (And 10 Priciest) Cities for Uber and Lyft Airport Rides

Travel smarter by knowing the costliest and most affordable airport rideshare cities.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Jeff White

Updated Oct. 1, 2024

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When visiting a new city for the first time, figuring out the cheapest way to get from the airport to your destination can be challenging.

To help you eliminate money stress while traveling, we put together a list of U.S. cities and the average cost of taking an Uber or Lyft from their major airports.

Below, you’ll find the 10 least expensive and the 10 most expensive rideshare cities on average (and one city that managed to land on both lists!).

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10. San Antonio, Texas (SAT)

Average: $19.85

San Antonio kicks off our top 10 cheapest rideshare cities list.

This is a low-budget travel destination, starting with the airport rideshare.

The average trip from San Antonio International Airport to San Antonio River Walk, known for its packed calendar of events, great food, and artisan markets, among other things, costs an average of just $19.95 with Uber or $19.75 with Lyft.

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9. Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)

Average: $17.96

Hawaii isn’t exactly known as a bargain vacation destination, but visitors can land cheap rideshare trips from the airport.

The average trip from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Aloha Tower (just five miles) costs $17.96 with Uber or $17.99 with Lyft.

The airport is also close to other popular hotspots, like Waikiki Beach, so many vacationers find they can book cheap rides to their accommodations.

8. Dallas, Texas (DAL)

Average: $17.92

Dallas Love Field Airport is conveniently located near major attractions.

The average trip between the airport and Klyde Warren Park, a popular park that sits above Woodall Rodgers Freeway and separates uptown and downtown Dallas, costs just $17.98 with Uber and $17.86 with Lyft (the trip is just over five miles).

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7. Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)

Average: $17.49

Visitors flying into Salt Lake City can also likely land cheap rides from the airport.

The average trip from Salt Lake City International Airport to City Creek Center, a massive shopping and dining center with well over 100 stores and restaurants, costs about $17.99 with Uber or $16.99 with Lyft.

6. Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)

Average: $17.45

While many people travel to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to go to Miami (which would be a pricier trip), if you are staying in the Fort Lauderdale area, you can likely land cheap rideshare trips to your destination.

The average Uber ride to Las Olas Boulevard, a popular area with plenty of shopping, restaurants, and art, among other things, costs $16.90, while the average Lyft ride costs $17.99.

5. Santa Ana, California (SNA)

Average: $17.43

Visitors to the Santa Ana area can frequently find particularly cheap rideshare trips from the airport.

The average trip from John Wayne Airport to Calle Cuarto Plaza (Fourth Street), a bustling downtown area with plenty of food, events, and attractions, costs just $19.95 with Uber or, even better, $14.91 with Lyft.

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4. Phoenix, Arizona (PHX)

Average: $16.98

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located nearby (less than four miles from) hot tourist destinations like CityScape, a downtown hub packed with restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and more.

The average Uber from the airport costs around $13.96, while the average Lyft is around $19.99.

3. Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)

Average: $16.98

Charlotte Douglas International Airport made it into the top three for cheap rideshare trips.

The average Uber trip from the airport to the stunning yet tranquil Romare Bearden Park is $16.96, while the average Lyft trip is a near identical $16.99.

2. Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Average: $15.47

As previously noted, Washington, D.C., managed to make it onto the most expensive and cheapest rideshare lists — and that’s because one of its major airports is much closer to the National Mall (and the many other attractions around it).

A typical Uber ride from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just over three miles from the National Mall, will cost around $15.95, while the average Lyft ride will cost about $14.99.

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1. San Jose, California (SJC)

Average: $15.21

Taking the number one spot for cheap rideshare trips in San Jose International Airport.

A typical trip from the airport to the Plaza de Cesar Chavez area, a popular downtown spot near many attractions like the San Jose Museum of Art, costs just $13.73 with Uber and $16.68 with Lyft.

10. Kansas City, Missouri (MCI)

Average: $37.94

An unexpected entry into the top 10, Kansas City rounds out our list of the most expensive rideshare airports in the country.

A typical ride from Kansas City International Airport to the popular Power & Light District (a trip that’s just under 20 miles) costs $34.91 with Uber and $40.97 with Lyft.

9. San Francisco, California (SFO)

Average: $39.45

San Francisco beat other pricey California cities (including Los Angeles and San Diego) as the airport with the most expensive average rideshare trips.

However, it’s worth noting that those traveling to SFO may have a longer distance to travel to their destination.
An average ride from SFO to the top tourist spot, Union Square, is about 14.5 miles and costs $40.98 with Uber or $37.92 with Lyft.

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8. New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)

Average: $39.81

The rideshare trips from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport are similar whether you're taking Uber or Lyft to the top tourist destination, Bourbon Street.

Famed for its history, architecture, and fantastic food and drink options, Bourbon Street lies in the heart of the French Quarter. An Uber ride from the airport typically costs around $38.90, while a Lyft ride is around $40.71.

7. Detroit, Michigan (DTW)

Average: $39.85

Detroit took the seventh spot on the list of most expensive rideshare cities.

An Uber from the Detroit Metro Airport to Campus Martius Park, a famous park in the heart of downtown, costs about $37.91 on average, while a typical Lyft ride costs around $41.79.

The trip from the airport to the park is not the shortest, as it can go just over 20 miles.

6. Denver, Colorado (DEN)

Average: $41.95

If you’re traveling to Denver, it’s worth noting that Lyft prices tend to be significantly cheaper than Uber.

The average Uber ride from Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station was about $47.97, while the average Lyft was $35.92.

Not just a transportation hub, Denver Union Station is a historic landmark where travelers eat, shop, and spend the night in luxury at The Crawford Hotel.

Often during summer, the train rides between the airport and Union Station are free. Consider saving more money and using the train rather than a car service if that fits into your travel plans.

5. Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Average: $42.97

Washington, D.C., ended up on the most expensive and least expensive airport rideshare lists.

This is due to one airport’s proximity to a popular landmark, the National Mall, where guests can check out the Washington Monument and many other historic landmarks

But if you fly into Dulles International Airport (IAD), the average Uber ride to the National Mall area costs about $41.95, and the average Lyft ride costs $43.99. The destination is around 25 miles from the airport.

4. Chicago, Illinois (ORD)

Average: $47.47

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport rounded out the top five when it came to pricey pickups from the airport.

The average Uber from the airport to Millennium Park (home of the famed public artwork “The Bean” and a popular area for tourists to stay) costs $52.94. The average Lyft price from the airport to Millennium Park was significantly cheaper at $41.99.

3. Seattle, Washington (SEA)

Average: $59.38

In the West, Seattle tended to have more expensive Uber and Lyft rides from its airport, beating out cities known for being pricey, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The average Uber ride from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the hot tourist spot, Pike Place Market, was $58.99, while the average Lyft ride was slightly higher at $59.77.

2. Newark, New Jersey (EWR)

Average: $65.96

Many people traveling to New York City fly into Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to its proximity to Manhattan (it’s also not far from the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia, and many other popular destinations).

The average price for a Lyft from the airport to a popular local destination (also Times Square) was $62.93, while the average Uber cost was $68.99.

1. New York, New York (JFK)

Average: $79.96

A not entirely surprising number one on the list is John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The city is well-known for being expensive, and cab rides are no exception.

You might have to prepare yourself financially before traveling into any of the three NYC area airports since they’ve all made it into the top five on our list.

The average Lyft ride from JFK (which is in Queens) to a popular NYC destination (Times Square) is $86.95, and the average Uber is $72.97.

LaGuardia Airport — also in Queens and came in fourth place overall — had lower prices, with the same trip with Lyft costing $55.97 and the average Uber at $47.95. (It’s also worth noting that the trip from LaGuardia to Times Square is significantly shorter.)

Bottom line

When you’re looking to save money when traveling, it’s important to also consider transportation costs once you get to your destination (not just flight costs).

You may land a deal on a cheap flight — but if it costs $100 to get from the airport to your destination, it may not be the best bargain after all.

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