How Do I Pay My Uber Driver With Cash?

Here’s the fastest way to pay your Uber driver in cash:

What happens when you pay with cash?

Uber lets you pay in cash in certain cities as of 2026. To make this work, you’ve got to pick Cash as your payment method in the app before you even request a ride. After your trip wraps up, you hand the exact fare to the driver in cash. Uber doesn’t process anything through your account here—the driver just marks the fare as paid in their app, which closes out the trip.

This option’s great for riders who’d rather not link a card or bank account to the app. It’s generally available in most major U.S. cities and a few international spots, but local rules and driver participation can vary. Check your city’s support page in the app to see if it’s an option where you live.

How do you set up and pay with cash step by step?

1. Open the Uber app. Make sure you’re logged in and your location services are turned on.
2. Head to Payment. On iOS, tap Account > Payment. On Android, hit the ☰ Menu, then Wallet > Payment.
3. Pick Payment Methods. Scroll down and tap Add payment method.
4. Choose Cash. Find it in the list of options. If it’s not there, your city hasn’t rolled out cash payments yet.
5. Confirm your choice. The app will show a confirmation screen. Tap Set as Default if you want cash to always be your go-to.
6. Request your ride. Once you book a car, the app will flash “Pay with Cash” at the top of the screen.
7. Pay the driver when you’re done. At the end of the trip, hand over the exact fare in cash. No change given. Your driver will mark it as paid in their app.

What if the cash payment option didn’t show up?

• No cash option? Your city might not support it yet. Pop over to the Uber Help Center and search your city name. As of 2026, it’s mostly in big cities, not small towns.
• Driver refuses cash? Some drivers skip cash fares entirely. If this happens, ask the app to reassign your ride. You can also call the driver through the app if you need to.
• Fare doesn’t match? If the driver’s app shows a higher fare than what you agreed on, ask them to fix it before you pay. You can always cancel and book a new ride if things get messy.

How can you avoid cash payment headaches next time?

Keep every cash ride hassle-free with these tips:

• Double-check availability first. Before you request a ride, open the app and make sure Cash shows up under Payment Methods.
• Bring exact change. Uber drivers won’t break bills, so if your fare is under $10, toss some singles or coins in your pocket.
• Know your city’s rules. Cash payment policies change by location. Right now, places like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago allow it, but smaller towns might not.
• Keep your app updated. Uber rolls out new features by region through app updates. Staying current means you won’t miss out on payment options.
• End the trip in the app. Always tap End Trip after paying your driver. It’s a quick way to confirm the ride is over and avoid any arguments later.