How to Use Uber and Lyft: A First-Timer’s Guide (2026)

If you have just arrived in the US, Uber and Lyft are usually the fastest way to get around before you know the buses or own a car. The apps feel familiar if you have used ride-hailing back home, but a few US-specific habits (paying without a local card, tipping, verifying your driver) trip up newcomers. Here is everything you need for your first ride and every ride after.

Quick Summary

• Uber and Lyft work almost identically. Download both, since prices and wait times differ by time and place.
• You need a payment method to book. If you do not have a US card yet, you can often use PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay linked to a card.
• Prices are shown upfront and rise during busy periods (surge). Shared rides and off-peak timing are the easiest ways to save.
• Tipping is expected in the US, usually 15 to 20 percent, added in the app after the ride.
• Before getting in, match the driver name, car model and license plate, and use the PIN or Verify Your Ride feature.

If you have used ride-hailing back home

Uber and Lyft will feel intuitive if you have used Ola in India, Grab in Southeast Asia, Bolt in Europe or Africa, or Didi in China. The core flow is the same. The main differences in the US are that rides are almost always cashless, prices are quoted upfront rather than metered, and tipping is a genuine social norm rather than optional. Lyft operates only in the US and Canada, so outside North America, Uber is usually your option.

Step by step: your first ride

1. Download the app (Uber, Lyft, or both) and create an account with your phone number and email.
2. Add a payment method. This is the step newcomers get stuck on, so see the next section if you do not have a US card yet.
3. Set your pickup and destination. Turn on location so the app places your pin accurately, or type the address.
4. Choose a ride type from the options shown (see the table below) and confirm. You will see the price before you book.
5. Wait for your match, then watch the car icon approach in real time. The app shows the driver name, photo, car model and plate.
6. Verify before you enter. Match the plate, car and photo, and if prompted, give the driver your PIN or use Verify Your Ride.
7. Ride, then pay automatically. The fare charges to your saved method. Add a tip and a star rating afterward.

How to pay if you do not have a US bank card yet?

Both apps require a payment method before your first ride, and a foreign card can sometimes be declined or hit with foreign-transaction fees. Your options as a newcomer:

• Link a digital wallet (PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay) that already holds a working card.
• Use a prepaid card or a foreign card, accepting that it may attract extra fees.
• Set up a local account fast. A US bank account and debit card removes foreign-transaction fees, and there are options for a credit card without an SSN so you can ride and build US credit from day one.

Choosing the right ride type

Fares, surge pricing and how to save

Both apps show an upfront price based on distance, time, demand and traffic. When lots of people request rides at once (rush hour, bad weather, events, airport peaks), prices rise. This is called surge on Uber and higher fares on Lyft. To keep costs down:

• Compare both apps for the same trip and take the cheaper quote.
• Choose a shared ride, which typically costs meaningfully less than a standard ride.
• Avoid peak times where you can, and walk a block away from a crowded pickup zone.
• Factor ride costs into your monthly transport budget, since public transit passes are far cheaper for daily commuting.

Tipping: what is normal in the US

Unlike in many countries, tipping drivers is expected in the US. A tip of 15 to 20 percent is standard for good service, and you add it in the app after the ride, usually with one tap. Cash tips are welcome too but not required.

Staying safe: 2026 in-app features

Rideshare is statistically one of the safer forms of ground transport, and both apps have built substantial safety tooling. Verifying your driver before you get in prevents the most common problem, someone getting into the wrong car.

Simple habits matter most: match the name, car and plate every time, sit in the back seat, share your trip on longer rides, and trust your instincts and cancel if something feels off.

Airport rides

Both apps operate at every major US airport, but pickup is almost always from a designated rideshare zone rather than the arrivals curb. Follow the airport signs for "Rideshare" or "App-based rides," and set that specific pickup point in the app so your driver finds you.

Common first-timer mistakes

• Announcing your own name first. Instead, ask the driver who they are picking up.
• Skipping the plate check because the car model matches.
• Forgetting that tips are expected in the US.
• Booking one app without comparing the other for a cheaper fare.

FAQs

Can I use Uber or Lyft without a US phone number? 

Usually yes, if you can receive a verification code, but a US number makes account setup and driver contact smoother.

Do I have to tip? 

It is not mandatory, but it is expected in the US and easy to add in the app.

Uber or Lyft, which is cheaper? 

It varies by city, time and demand, so compare both for each trip.