Uber is rolling out a new way to catch a ride at New York’s LaGuardia Airport that does not require a phone, the Uber app or even a data plan. The company has introduced its first physical “Uber kiosk” in Terminal C, giving arriving passengers a simple, walk up option to book a ride on the spot.
How The Uber Kiosk Works
The kiosk looks like a tall, tablet style screen mounted on a stand. Instead of asking travelers to sign in or create an account, it guides them through a short flow that mirrors the Uber app: enter a destination, pick a ride type such as UberX, Comfort or XL, then review the upfront price.
Once the trip is confirmed, the kiosk prints a paper receipt with the fare, pick up instructions, and trip details. Payment is handled directly at the station using a card terminal, so rides are cashless. Travelers can pay with credit or debit cards or compatible mobile wallets.
Uber says the system is designed for people who might otherwise struggle with app based ride hailing. That includes international visitors who land without a local data plan, passengers with dead phone batteries, and anyone who prefers an in-person or kiosk experience over an app.
Why LaGuardia’s Terminal C Got The First Kiosk
LaGuardia’s Terminal C has become a showcase for New York’s airport modernization, with Delta and the Port Authority investing billions of dollars into new check in halls, security lanes and digital wayfinding. The terminal already leans heavily on self service technology, from airline kiosks to automated bag drops, which makes it a natural testing ground for Uber’s concept.
Uber has made airport trips a key part of its business and has been adding tools tailored to the city’s three main hubs. At LaGuardia, the company already runs Uber Shuttle, a shared, low cost service that runs on fixed routes between the airport and parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. At JFK, Uber offers shuttles and encourages riders to use reserved pick up zones that help manage congestion.
By placing the first kiosk at LaGuardia, Uber is targeting one of the busiest domestic airports in the United States, with heavy traffic from business travelers, families, and tourists who may not have the app installed when they land.
More Kiosks Coming To Hotels, Ports And Other Airports
Uber is treating the LaGuardia installation as a pilot. The company says it plans to roll out similar kiosks at hotels, cruise ports and other international airports over the coming months.
Kiosks are already part of Uber’s product roadmap for hospitality partners. Under its Uber for Business program, the company has been marketing self service stations that hotels can place in their lobbies so guests can book rides with a few taps without needing help from the front desk. Uber
For airports, the goal is to complement existing ride app pick up zones, not replace them. Travelers who prefer to book on their phones can still use the regular Uber app, reserve shuttles or schedule pickups in advance. The kiosk simply offers an additional, low friction option at the point of arrival.
What It Means For New York Travelers
For New Yorkers and visitors alike, the new kiosk is another sign that airports are rethinking the curbside experience.
- Fewer barriers for app free riders: People who are not comfortable downloading ride hailing apps or creating accounts now have a straightforward path to an Uber ride.
- Help for tourists and older travelers: International visitors without roaming, older passengers and those with accessibility needs may find the kiosk more intuitive than juggling phones and bags at the curb.
- More structure around pick ups: With JFK and other airports moving ride shares to centralized lots to ease congestion, airport specific tools like shuttles and kiosks help keep people moving while preserving some of the convenience that made ride apps popular in the first place.
Uber has not announced a specific timeline for additional New York area kiosks. If the LaGuardia test goes smoothly during the busy holiday travel season, New Yorkers could start seeing similar bright screens in more terminals and hotel lobbies soon.
