San Francisco International Airport has turned ride-hail traffic into a serious cash machine. In 2025, more than 10 million Uber and Lyft pickups and drop-offs at SFO generated over $60 million in per-trip fees, a record haul that signals air travel to the city is bouncing back from the pandemic. The milestone comes just as autonomous robotaxis begin rolling into the mix at the airport, a shift that could reshape curbside chaos and rider options alike.
Ride-Hail Fees Hit Record Territory
According to SFGATE, those more than 10 million ride-hailing trips at SFO in 2025 translated into a record total of north of $60 million in fees. The outlet reports that October 2025 was the first month since 2019 to clear the 1 million mark for Uber and Lyft riders using the airport for pickups or drop-offs. SFGATE also notes that SFO tacks on roughly a $6 fee per trip, a premium that makes app rides noticeably pricier than nearby transit options.
Waymo Taps In From the Rental Car Center
On Jan. 29, Waymo announced that it had started offering autonomous rides to and from SFO. For now, the company is routing pickups and drop-offs through the airport’s Rental Car Center and asking riders to hop on the AirTrain to reach the terminals. In its announcement, Waymo called airport access “one of the most requested features for our riders” and said service will expand to additional airport locations over time. The result is an autonomous alternative to Uber and Lyft, even if the detour through the rental facility trims some of the curbside convenience.
How Pickups Work And What Drivers Deal With
FlySFO guidance shows that domestic ride-hail pickups are concentrated in the Domestic Garage and spells out how the AirTrain links terminals to the Rental Car Center, which is where autonomous trips are starting for now. Drivers working for app companies still stage in airport lots and sit in virtual queues waiting for their turn at curbside pickup. That setup can mean long idle periods and congestion in nearby areas, while smaller competitors and traditional taxis have watched their slice of airport traffic shrink as app-based platforms regain their footing.
Why All That Fee Money Counts
SFO reports in its FY2025 fact sheet that the airport handled about 54.1 million passengers, a number that highlights how demand for ground transportation has rebounded. Non-aeronautical revenue streams such as ride-hailing fees now provide a meaningful buffer for airport finances as officials juggle operating expenses and big-ticket capital projects. With major events and conventions on the Bay Area calendar for 2026, those per-trip charges look poised to keep piling up.
