What a reservation does and how it works

An Uber reservation lets you book a ride for a specific time in the future instead of requesting one right now. When you schedule a ride, Uber assigns a driver closer to your pickup time rather than when ready. You pay the same upfront fare you would see if you requested right now, but you lock in that price and a may provide pickup window.

The reservation appears in your Uber app under a separate "Scheduled" tab. Uber sends you a notification 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled time, and the driver begins heading to your pickup location. If you need to cancel, you can do so through the app, though cancellation policies vary by location and ride type.

Key Takeaways

  • You can schedule an Uber ride up to 30 days in advance through the app by selecting a date and time instead of requesting when ready.
  • The upfront fare you see when you book is the price you pay, even if surge pricing would normally explore at that time.
  • Uber notifies you 5 to 10 minutes before pickup, and the driver is assigned shortly after that notification.
  • Cancelling a scheduled ride may result in a fee depending on how close it is to your pickup time and your location.
  • Scheduled rides work with UberX, Uber Comfort, and Uber XL, but not all ride types are available for reservations in every city.

How to schedule a ride in the Uber app

Open the Uber app and enter your pickup and dropoff locations as you normally would. Instead of tapping "Request," look for a "Schedule" button or option near the top of the screen. Tap it, then select the date and time you want to be picked up. The app will show you available ride types and the upfront fare for each.

Choose your ride type, review the pickup location and time, then confirm the booking. You will see the reservation appear in your "Scheduled" tab with a confirmation number. You can view driver details and track the ride once the driver is assigned, which usually happens within a few minutes of your scheduled time.

When you can book and how far in advance

You can schedule a ride up to 30 days ahead through the Uber app. The earliest time you can book is typically the next available time slot, though this depends on driver availability in your area. Some cities allow scheduling only during certain hours or for specific ride types, so the app will show you which times are available in your location.

If you try to schedule during a time when no drivers are expected to be available, the app will tell you that scheduling is not possible and suggest requesting a ride when ready instead. Availability also varies by neighborhood and time of day — early mornings and late nights may have fewer scheduling options than midday hours.

Price and payment for scheduled rides

The fare you see when you book is the price you pay, locked in at that moment. This means if surge pricing would normally be in effect at your scheduled time, you avoid that higher price. You pay with the payment method on file in your account, the same way you would for an when ready request.

The upfront fare includes the base fare, distance estimate, and time estimate for your route. Tolls, if any, are added after the ride ends. Tips can be added in the app after your ride is complete, just as with any other Uber trip.

Cancellation fees and what happens if you cancel

Cancelling a scheduled ride may result in a cancellation fee if you cancel too close to your pickup time. The fee amount and the cancellation window vary by city and ride type. Generally, cancelling more than an hour before your scheduled time carries no fee, but cancelling within an hour of pickup may cost you a portion of the fare or a flat cancellation fee.

If the driver cancels, you are not charged. If you do not show up and the driver waits past a certain time (usually 5 minutes), Uber may charge a no-show fee. Check your local cancellation policy in the app's Help section or contact Uber support to confirm the exact terms for your area.

Ride types available for scheduling

UberX, Uber Comfort, and Uber XL can be scheduled in most cities. UberXL seats up to six passengers and costs more than UberX. Uber Comfort offers newer vehicles and more space than UberX. Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, and other premium options are not available for scheduling in most locations — you must request those when ready.

Uber Eats, Uber Pet, and other specialized services do not have scheduling options. The ride types shown in your app's "Schedule" screen are the ones available in your area at that time. If a ride type you want is not listed, you can only request it as an when ready ride.

What to do if your driver does not show up

If your driver does not arrive by the end of the scheduled pickup window, the app will prompt you to contact the driver or request a new ride. You can message the driver through the app to ask where they are. If the driver is significantly delayed or does not arrive, you can cancel the ride and request a new one when ready.

If you were charged a cancellation fee and believe the driver was at fault, you can contact Uber support through the app to request a refund. Keep the trip details and any messages with the driver to show support if you dispute the charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the pickup or dropoff location after I book?

You can edit the dropoff location in most cases by tapping the destination in your scheduled ride details. Changing the pickup location is more limited — you may need to cancel and rebook instead. Check the app to see if editing is available for your specific ride.

What happens if I request a ride while I already have a scheduled one?

You can have both a scheduled ride and an when ready request active at the same time. If you request an when ready ride and it arrives before your scheduled pickup, you can take the when ready ride and cancel the scheduled one. Just remember that cancelling close to the scheduled time may trigger a fee.

Do I need to be in the app when my scheduled ride time arrives?

No. Uber sends you a notification when the driver is on the way, so you do not need to open the app. You can track the driver's location once the notification arrives. Have your phone with you so you see the notification and can contact the driver if needed.

Can I schedule a ride for someone else?

You can schedule a ride under your own account and share the trip details with another person, but the ride will be under your name and payment method. Uber does not have a built-in feature to schedule a ride under a different person's account from your app.

Is scheduling available in my city?

Scheduling is available in most major cities where Uber operates, but not everywhere. Open the Uber app, enter your locations, and look for the "Schedule" option. If it does not appear, scheduling is not yet available in your area, and you can only request rides when ready.