Driverless Waymo Rides Coming to SFO
Waymo can now operate at San Francisco International Airport, a major step for the autonomous ride-hailing company. The permit allows the company to roll out service in three phases. First, Waymo will test vehicles around the airport with a human driver. Then it can test fully autonomous rides with Waymo and airport employees. Finally, regular passengers will be able to catch a ride.
Waymo’s Bay Area service currently covers San Francisco, down to Burlingame, and from Menlo Park to Sunnyvale. The SFO permit opens access to one of the region’s busiest ride-hailing destinations. In late 2023, Uber and Lyft handled more than 750,000 rides to and from the airport each month.
Service at SFO also gives Waymo a chance to reach tourists. The company reports thousands of searches for SFO in its app and hundreds of app installs from people at the airport. Pickups will initially start at the Kiss & Fly area, with potential expansion to other parts of the airport later.
The permit follows months of planning and safety reviews and allows Waymo to operate under strict reporting and safety requirements. This milestone expands autonomous rides in the Bay Area and adds a new option for travelers looking for a safe and reliable ride from SFO.
H/t: SF Gate
Waymo is coming to SFO! The airport has approved a pilot permit to begin autonomous rides. This rollout will happen in phases—and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way until anyone can request a @Waymo ride right from @flySFO. pic.twitter.com/FiDovEOw4Y
— Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 (@DanielLurie) September 16, 2025