Uber does not accept cash in the app, but you can request a cash-paying driver through Uber Cash or use Uber's cash payment feature in select cities
Uber's main app requires you to add a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet before you book a ride. You cannot enter a cash payment method during checkout. However, Uber does offer a workaround in some markets: you can load money onto an Uber Cash balance and then select "Cash" as your payment method at pickup, or you can request a driver who accepts cash directly through the app in cities where this feature is available.
The availability of cash payment varies by city and changes over time. Not every Uber driver accepts cash, and not every market has enabled the cash payment feature. Before you book, check your app to see if "Cash" appears as a payment option in your area. If it does not, you will need to use a card or digital wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Uber's app requires a card or digital wallet to book a ride; you cannot pay cash through the standard booking process.
- Some cities allow you to select "Cash" as a payment method in the app, which tells the driver you will pay in cash at the end of the ride.
- Uber Cash is a prepaid balance you load with money from a card, not a way to use physical cash to book a ride.
- Cash payment availability depends on your city and changes periodically, so check your app's payment options before booking.
- If cash is not an option in your area, you will need a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
How to pay with cash if your city supports it
Open the Uber app and go to the payment methods section. If your city has enabled cash payment, you will see "Cash" listed as an option alongside your cards and digital wallets. Select it, then book your ride as usual. The app will show the driver that you plan to pay cash when they arrive.
When the driver picks you up, complete your ride normally. At the end, the driver will tell you the fare amount and you pay them directly with cash. The transaction does not go through the app—you and the driver settle it in person. Make sure you have enough cash on hand before you get in the car, because the driver may not have change or may refuse the ride if you cannot pay the full amount.
Not all drivers accept cash even in cities where the feature is available. If a driver declines a cash ride, the app will let you cancel without a fee. You can then request another driver or switch to a card payment method.
What Uber Cash is and how it differs from cash payment
Uber Cash is a prepaid account balance that you load with money using a debit or credit card. You then use that balance to pay for rides, food orders, or other Uber services. It is not the same as paying with physical cash—you still need a card to load the balance in the first place.
Uber Cash can be useful if you want to set a spending limit or if you prefer not to enter your card details every time you book. You load money once, and it sits in your account until you spend it. However, this still requires a card to set up, and it does not solve the problem of paying with physical cash if you do not have a card at all.
Cities and regions where cash payment is available
Uber has offered cash payment in cities including New York, Mexico City, São Paulo, and parts of India, but the list changes. Some cities have added the feature, while others have removed it. The feature is more common in regions where a large portion of the population does not have access to credit or debit cards.
To find out whether cash payment works in your area, open the Uber app, tap on your payment method, and look for "Cash" in the list. If you do not see it, cash payment is not currently available in your city. You can also contact Uber support through the app to ask whether cash payment is planned for your area in the future.
What payment methods Uber does accept
Uber accepts most major debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also link digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay to your Uber account. In some regions, Uber accepts local payment methods such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.
If you do not have a card or digital wallet, you have limited options. Prepaid debit cards work with Uber as long as they are issued by a major card network. Some banks and financial institutions offer prepaid cards that you can load with cash at a store or ATM, which then works with Uber's app.
Prepaid cards as an alternative to cash
If you want to use cash but your city does not support Uber's cash payment feature, a prepaid debit card is a practical alternative. You can buy a prepaid card at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or convenience stores, then load it with cash. Once loaded, the card works like any other debit card in the Uber app.
Popular prepaid card options include Green Dot, NetSpend, and Vanilla Visa. Each has different fees and features, so compare them before you buy. Some charge monthly maintenance fees, while others charge per transaction. A few have no fees at all if you meet certain conditions, such as setting up direct deposit.
Loading a prepaid card does require a trip to a store, but once it is loaded, you can book Uber rides without carrying cash or worrying about whether the driver will accept payment. The card stays in your account and you can reload it whenever you need to.
Why Uber moved away from cash in most places
Uber phased out cash payment in most of its markets over the past decade for several reasons. Cash transactions are slower—the driver has to count change, and disputes over the amount are harder to resolve. Cash also creates security risks for drivers, who carry less money when all payments are digital. From Uber's perspective, card payments provide a clear record of every transaction and reduce fraud.
In markets where cash payment remains available, it is usually because a significant portion of the population lacks access to banking services. Uber keeps the feature in those regions to reach more riders, but it remains the exception rather than the rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a cash-paying driver if I do not see cash as a payment option?
No. If "Cash" does not appear in your app's payment methods, the feature is not available in your city. You cannot request it through customer support or any other method. You will need to use a card or digital wallet to book a ride.
What happens if I select cash but do not have enough money when the driver arrives?
The driver can refuse to complete the ride. You may be charged a cancellation fee by Uber, and the driver can report the incident. Always confirm you have enough cash before booking a cash ride.
Do I need a card to load Uber Cash?
Yes. Uber Cash is a prepaid balance that you load using a debit or credit card. You cannot load Uber Cash with physical cash or any other method. If you do not have a card, Uber Cash will not help you.
Can I use a prepaid card with Uber if my city does not support cash payment?
Yes. Prepaid debit cards work in the Uber app just like regular debit cards. You can buy a prepaid card at a store, load it with cash, and then link it to your Uber account to book rides.
Is cash payment safer than card payment?
Cash payment carries different risks than card payment. Drivers handle physical money, which creates security concerns for them. Card payments leave a digital record, which can help resolve disputes but also creates a record of your location and spending. Neither method is objectively safer—it depends on your priorities.