Paying for Uber with cash is not available through the main Uber app
Uber's standard payment system requires a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet linked to your account before you request a ride. The app does not have a built-in cash payment option, and drivers are not required to accept cash even if you ask them directly.
However, there are two workarounds if you prefer to pay with cash: you can use Uber Cash (a prepaid balance system you load with money), or in some cities you can use Uber's cash payment feature through a partner service. Neither option lets you hand cash to the driver at the end of the ride.
Key Takeaways
- The Uber app requires a card or digital wallet on file before you can request a ride — you cannot pay the driver in cash at the end.
- Uber Cash is a prepaid balance you load through the app using a debit card or credit card, then use to pay for rides without entering payment details each time.
- Some cities offer cash payment at pickup locations (like convenience stores or pharmacies) where you buy a code to use in the app, but this is not available everywhere.
- If you do not have a card or digital wallet, Uber Cash or a cash-to-code service is your only path to using Uber.
How Uber Cash works as a prepaid option
Uber Cash is a prepaid balance stored in your Uber account. You load money into it using a debit card or credit card through the app, then that balance pays for your rides automatically. You can add any amount you want, and the balance stays in your account until you use it.
To set up Uber Cash, open the Uber app, tap your profile icon, select "Wallet," then tap "Add funds." Choose how much to add (typically $5 to $500 depending on your region), confirm with your card, and the money appears in your Uber Cash balance when ready. When you request a ride, the app deducts the fare from your Uber Cash first before using any other payment method on file.
Uber Cash does not expire, so you can load it and use it whenever you want. If you have a remaining balance and want to remove it, you can request a refund through the app, though the money goes back to the card you used to load it, not as cash to your hand.
Cash payment codes in select cities
In some cities, Uber offers a cash payment option through partner locations like CVS, Walgreens, or local convenience stores. You go to one of these locations, tell the cashier you want to buy an Uber code, hand over cash, and receive a code to enter in the app. That code loads a prepaid balance into your Uber account, which then pays for your rides.
This option is not available in all cities or all stores, and availability changes over time. To check if it is available in your area, open the Uber app, go to your Wallet, and look for a "Cash" payment option. If you see it, the app will show you nearby locations where you can buy codes. If you do not see it, the feature is not currently offered where you are.
The codes typically have no expiration date once you enter them into your account, and any unused balance stays in your Uber Cash balance just like money you added with a card.
Why Uber does not accept cash from drivers
Uber's business model is built on cashless transactions. The company takes a percentage of each fare, handles all payment processing, and keeps records of every trip for tax and legal purposes. Accepting cash from passengers would require drivers to handle money, make change, and report cash income — all of which creates complications for both the driver and Uber's accounting system.
Drivers also have no incentive to accept cash because they are paid by Uber directly into their bank account, not by passengers. If a driver did accept cash, they would have to report it as income and handle the payment themselves, which most drivers avoid.
What to do if you do not have a card or digital wallet
If you do not have a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), your options are limited but not zero. Uber Cash through a cash code at a partner store is your most direct path. You buy the code with cash, enter it in the app, and use the balance to pay for rides.
If cash codes are not available in your area, you could ask a friend or family member to link their card to an Uber account for you, or you could visit a bank to open a basic checking account with a debit card. Some banks offer accounts with no minimum balance or monthly fee, which would give you a card to use with Uber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask my Uber driver to accept cash?
You can ask, but drivers are not required to accept cash and most will decline. Uber's system is designed for cashless payment only, and drivers have no way to process a cash payment through the app. If a driver does accept cash, it is entirely their choice and outside Uber's official system.
What happens if I do not have enough Uber Cash to cover my ride?
If your Uber Cash balance is lower than the fare, the app will use the remaining balance and charge the difference to another payment method on your account (a card or digital wallet). If you have no other payment method linked, the ride request will not go through.
Can I get cash back from my Uber Cash balance?
No, you cannot withdraw Uber Cash as physical cash. You can only request a refund, which sends the money back to the card you used to load it. The refund typically takes three to five business days to appear in your bank account.
Do cash codes expire?
The codes themselves may have an expiration date printed on them (usually 30 to 90 days), but once you enter the code into your Uber account, the balance does not expire. You can use it whenever you want.
Is Uber Cash the same as Uber Gift Cards?
No. Uber Gift Cards are physical or digital cards you buy as a gift for someone else. Uber Cash is a prepaid balance in your own account. You cannot buy an Uber Gift Card with cash at a store, but you can buy an Uber code (which loads Uber Cash) with cash in select cities.