At LocalsInsider, we’re always on the lookout for innovative apps that make travel life easier and more connected. Waymo is one of those groundbreaking futuristic technologies that could very well shape the future of travel. Imagine a world where you don’t have to worry about hailing a cab or navigating busy streets — simply hop into a car and let the technology do the rest.
Waymo, Google’s self-driving ride-hailing service, has already made waves in 11 U.S. cities. With its advanced Waymo Driver technology, it’s offering a glimpse of the future of transport. No drivers, no stress — just a smooth, autonomous ride to your destination.
But this isn’t just about convenience for tourists in the U.S. It’s a sign of things to come. Around the world, companies like Tesla and Baidu’s Apollo Go are also stepping into the autonomous vehicle game, bringing driverless taxis to places like Hengzhou, Chongqing in China, and other global cities. As we continue to see this evolution, the question isn’t if autonomous rides will change our travels — it’s when will they be everywhere?
In this article, we dive into how Waymo works, where it’s available, how much it costs, and what makes it stand out from other alternatives in the growing world of driverless technology. And, perhaps most crucially of all, is it safe?
Introducing Waymo
Waymo is the world’s first autonomous ride-hailing service. In other words, it’s a driverless taxi, available 24/7 in some locations across the United States.
Without getting too technical, the whole experience is driven by Waymo Driver, a proprietary, autonomous-driving technology that has been tested over millions of miles on public roads in 15+ states.
The company is based in Mountain View, California, and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, Google’s parent company. It was previously known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project and was renamed Waymo in 2016.
Waymo is best understood as Uber without a driver. You download the free app from the App Store or Google Play Store and create an account. You then tell Waymo where you are and where you want to go, and the app will show you the safest pick-up and drop-off spots near your preferences.
When your Waymo ride arrives, you and up to three other passengers can hop in the vehicle. You use the app to unlock the car door and hit ‘Start Ride’ when you’re strapped in. The passenger screen at the front shows the route, which you can also follow in your app.
How to Use the Waymo App
- Download the App
Search “Waymo” in your phone’s app store (available on both iOS and Android). - Create an Account
Sign up with your email and add a payment method. Example: Set up your payment info ahead of time so you’re ready to go as soon as you arrive in San Francisco. - Set Pickup Location
Enter your current location or use the app to set it automatically. For example, at SFO Airport, Waymo will suggest the nearest pickup zone. - Enter Your Destination
Type where you want to go. Example: Heading to Coyo Taco in Miami Beach? Just enter the address and confirm. - Request the Ride
Tap Request Ride to match with a car. The app shows your car’s location and expected arrival time. When it arrives, check the license plate and car photo to confirm it’s yours. - Hop In and Ride
Unlock the door via the app and enjoy the ride. You’ll see the route and estimated arrival time on the screen. - End the Ride
When you arrive at your destination, the app will notify you that the ride is complete. Example: In Austin, you might share the ride with a couple of other passengers heading to nearby locations.
Where Can I Hail a Waymo?
Waymo is operating in over 30 cities worldwide, including major U.S. hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Miami, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York, Boston, Seattle, and Denver. Internationally, Waymo has expanded to London, UK, and Tokyo, Japan.
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Nashville, TN
- Orlando, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA
In these cities, its autonomous ride-hailing service has served over 20 million rides, cutting serious injury crashes by 92% compared to human drivers.
Waymo Pricing: How Much Does It Cost for a Driverless Cab?
Like Uber, Lyft, and old-school taxis, the cost of a Waymo ride depends on where you’re going and a host of other factors, including supply, demand, and, of course, the weather.
But a recent report, published in the New York Post, found that Waymo was initially priced between 30% and 40% higher than Uber and Lyft, based on rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. But as of 2026, Waymo’s prices have reduced, and it’s now approximately 12.7% more expensive than getting an Uber and 27.3% more expensive than a Lyft.
Analysts agree that once the novelty of hopping in a driverless car wears off in cities where they’re available, Waymo’s pricing will likely drop to remain competitive with Uber and other ride-hailing apps.
Review & Ratings: Is Waymo Safe & Reliable?
As a benchmark for driverless car technology, Waymo has attracted significant attention over the past decade. It is known to be very safe and reliable, offering a genuine alternative to Uber and Lyft. The downside is its limited availability: you can currently use Waymo in only 11 metro areas in the US.
But with new cities on the horizon and many riders reviewing and documenting their Waymo experiences, we’ll learn more about the pros and cons of driverless car tech in the coming years.
After exploring Reddit forums, we found many riders and tech enthusiasts with complimentary things to say about Waymo, particularly regarding its safety features. Much of this stems from decades of Google development, which has enabled Waymo to roll out its concept at scale well ahead of its competitors.
Reddit Review: “I was impressed. It moved away from parked cars with open doors, slowed down for dips in the road. Super smooth. For straightforward routes, it’s great. CutmastaK
Any Alternatives? Other ‘Robotaxis’ in the USA
Waymo might be the best-known ‘robotaxi’ in the US, but it’s not the only option in the market. Tesla recently launched its robotaxi concept, exclusively to iOS users in geofenced areas within Austin, Dallas, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area. This service uses Tesla Model Y vehicles and is not yet available 24/7.
Another option is Zoox, but it’s only available in Las Vegas and San Francisco. It’s an ideal option if you’re on vacation in Vegas, as it operates on the Strip and connects the key hotels, casinos, and other points of interest. Zoox is looking to expand into Austin and Miami in the coming years, while it’s expected to be in Los Angeles by the close of 2027.
Did you try a driverless car? Share your experience at hello@localsinsider.com
