How to Use Waymo as a Tourist: Robotaxi Tips for Visitors

Independent rider's guide. Not affiliated with Waymo, Tesla, Zoox, Uber or Lyft. We don't book rides: book in the official apps. About our independence

Checked Nov 11, 202610 sources cited below

How to use Waymo as a tourist comes down to the city. If you're visiting one where Waymo is open to everyone, you can ride the day you arrive: download the Waymo app, add a payment card and request a car inside the service area. The catch is planning: some cities still use sign-up lists, a few airports aren't served, and children under 8 need a seat you bring yourself.

Before you travel

  1. Check the city. Waymo is open to everyone in Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Nashville. In Las Vegas and Denver it was still "gradually adding riders" when we checked (Waymo Help), so sign up early and don't count on getting in for a weekend. The cities checker has every company.
  2. Know which app. In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo rides run only on Uber; you opt in to autonomous rides in your Uber settings and may be matched with one (Uber). Tesla Robotaxi needs a Tesla Account (App Store). In Las Vegas, Zoox has its own app; if it isn't available for your phone, Zoox says to go to its spot at the Resorts World Las Vegas casino entrance (Zoox).
  3. Set up the app at home, on Wi-Fi, so you aren't creating an account at the curb.
  4. Check your hotel is inside the service area. Enter it as a destination; if the app won't quote, it's outside.

Airports

Only a few airports have robotaxi pickups, and several start with limited riders. Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Antonio and San José are open to Waymo riders; SFO, Las Vegas and Nashville are for a limited group first; Zoox serves Las Vegas (Waymo Help). LAX, Austin, Miami and Orlando have none. See robotaxi airport pickups.

In the car

  • Luggage: a Waymo trunk fits three carry-ons or two large checked bags (Waymo Help). Zoox has no trunk; bags go on the floor.
  • Group size: up to four riders in a Waymo, any seat but the driver's (Waymo FAQ).
  • Kids: bring a car or booster seat for children under 8; it goes in the back (Waymo Rider Rules).
  • Help: tap the Support button on the in-car screen; Waymo support is available by phone, chat or email 24/7, in English (Waymo Help).
  • No tip and no cash. Pay in the app.

Price

Waymo publishes only one rate card: Las Vegas, at $9.49 plus $1.23 a mile and $0.45 a minute. Fares are comparable to ride-hailing, Waymo told the Colorado Sun, and vary with time of day and demand (The Colorado Sun). The app shows the price before you book; see the price estimator.

Trip ideas

Questions riders ask

Can tourists ride Waymo?

Yes, in the cities where Waymo is open to everyone: download the Waymo app, set up payment and request a ride inside the service area. In Las Vegas and Denver Waymo is still letting riders in from a sign-up list, which can take longer than a short trip.

Do I need to tip a robotaxi?

No. There is no driver, and Waymo doesn't accept tips.

Can I bring my kids in a robotaxi on vacation?

With Waymo, yes, at any age with an adult, but bring a car or booster seat for children under 8; Waymo doesn't provide one. Tesla doesn't allow children under 8 in a Model Y, and Zoox's rider manual says 8 and older.

Which airports can I take a robotaxi from?

Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Antonio and San José for all Waymo riders; SFO, Las Vegas and Nashville for limited Waymo riders; and Las Vegas by Zoox. Not LAX, Austin, Miami or Orlando.

Sources

BookARobotaxi Editorial Team

We check every fare, city, airport and rule against the operators' own help pages, regulators and reputable reporting, and we date each check. Reported figures are labeled as reported. We don't sell rides, codes or rankings. About us · How we source and check facts