You’ve just landed after a long flight. You’re tired, hungry, and the last thing you want to do is wait in another line for a rental car, navigate an unfamiliar vehicle/route to your hotel, and then stress about parking fees. 

Seventy-four percent of North American business travelers say they at least occasionally use a rideshare app while on business travel. Here’s why — and more importantly, how to master airport rideshare like a pro at five major U.S. airports (LAX, ORD, ATL, DEN, SFO).

Faster pickups: The average rental car counter pickup takes over 22 minutes. The average Lyft pickup time in major airports? Seven minutes.

No added costs: For example, an advertised rental car rate of “$39/day” can quickly balloon by 40% or more after insurance, gas, and parking.

Local driver knowledge: Your driver can recommend where to go to make the most of your time in your destination.

Median wait time: Six minutes

The hack: Travel on a weekday morning during commuting hours and your median pickup time decreases to four minutes — and try to avoid weekend evenings, when it increases to seven minutes. 

Pro tip: A shuttle runs from each terminal to the LAX-it pickup area; although, if you land in Terminal 1, you can walk there in three minutes. However, keep an eye out for signage — a new pickup location should be opening late summer 2026. 

Average Lyft ride times to popular hotels:

Median wait time: Ten minutes

The hack: Travel early on a weekend morning and your median pickup time decreases to five minutes — and try to avoid weekday evenings during commuting hours, when it increases to 11 minutes. 

Pro tip: Each terminal has different pickup spots (and if you arrive at Terminal 5, you’ll have to take the people mover to T2 or T3). Screenshot the terminal map when you land and check the Lyft app for your pickup options.

Average Lyft ride times to popular hotels:

Median wait time: Six minutes

The hack: Travel early on a weekend morning and your median pickup time decreases to four minutes — and try to avoid weekend evenings, when it increases to eight minutes. 

Pro tip: Double-check to confirm if you’re in North Terminal or South Terminal — it’s confusing, and rideshare pickup can be accessed only from the North Terminal.

Average Lyft ride times to popular hotels:

Median wait time: Six minutes

The hack: Travel early on a weekend morning and your median pickup time decreases to two minutes — and try to avoid weekday evenings during commuting hours, when it increases to seven minutes.

Pro tip: Instead of taking the train, you can walk from Terminal A to the Concourse.

Average Lyft ride times to popular hotels:

Median wait time: Seven minutes

The hack: Travel during the day on a weekday and your median pickup time decreases to five minutes — and try to avoid weekends late in the evening, when it increases to eight minutes.

Pro tip: Stay on top of delays (fog-related or otherwise) by checking FlightAware before requesting your ride.

Average Lyft ride times to popular hotels:

Always use the restroom before requesting your ride. Nothing worse than your driver arriving while you’re indisposed.

Before you lose signal: Screenshot terminal maps, hotel addresses, and confirmation numbers.

Scheduled rides allow you to lock in your price in advance. Book your airport drop-off and pickup before you board your flight.

Expense-report ready:

The conference hack: Check LinkedIn to see who’s going to the same conference as you — if you’re arriving at/around the same time, you can split a ride and network.

Elite status perks: Pair Lyft with your United MileagePlus account — every airport ride earns miles toward status.

Landing at 1 a.m.? Here’s your game plan:

✅ Download the Lyft app and add payment method before traveling.

✅ Enable location services and notifications.

✅ Know your terminal’s pickup location.

✅ Have your hotel address ready (screenshot it).

✅ Request ride AFTER getting luggage (or confirm your scheduled airport pickup).

✅ Watch for your driver’s car details in app.

✅ Confirm driver’s license plate/car and/or PIN before getting in.

Next time you fly, skip the rental car counter. Your Lyft driver knows the fastest route, the best local coffee, and you’ll arrive refreshed instead of stressed.