Waymo SFO, SJC Airport Pickups, Dropoffs Coming Soon

Waymo robotaxis are coming to San Francisco International SFO and San Jose International SJC later in 2025. These will be Waymo's second and third airports to expand to, following Phoenix PHX.

Waymo has already mapped both airports, and Mookie Patel, Director of Aviation at San Jose Mineta International SJC, noted that Waymo has been working with them for months, noting “The cars are very safe. They drive within the speed limits.”

This is our experience as well, having taken dozens of rides with Waymo within San Francisco. Not only do we feel safer inside a Waymo than in a human-driven Uber or Lyft, the Waymo experience is superior in other ways, with a more comfortable vehicle and suspension (a Jaguar); smooth driving with no pumping the brakes; the ability to consistently sit in the front passenger seat; and full control over temperature, music, and front passenger seat leg space and recline. Waymo is also an ideal choice for women and elderly passengers who might feel unsafe late at night in a rideshare.

Waymo is on track to pick up and drop off at SJC “later this year,” while for SFO, Waymo must successfully complete two phases, which could conceivably be completed in time to allow SFO pick ups and drop offs by the end of 2025. Phase One is testing Waymo on the roads into and out of SFO, with a Waymo driver behind the wheel as a fail-safe. Phase Two is fully autonomous (no driver), with either Waymo staff or SFO staff as passengers.

Note that at SFO, unlike with Uber and Lyft, Waymo will pick up and drop off from the “Kiss and Fly” near the Rental Car Center, so passengers will need to get to and from the airport terminals by AirTrain.