How is Uber at 5:30am in San Francisco?

March 19, 2016 4:21 PM

What is the availability of Uber rides like at 5:30 am on a Sunday in San Francisco?

I need to go to the Airport at that time. BART doesn't run that early on Sundays; I'd love to support licensed cabs but I've had a really bad time with them not showing up on time and it's important when you're airport-bound. So, can I safely assume there will be Ubers available? Moreover, is there any way to check such things ahead of time? I've never heard of one. Thanks!

posted by Joey Buttafoucault to Travel & Transportation around San Francisco, CA (11 answers total)

I've had no issues, but I always pad my wait time by 25 minutes, just in case. I lived near Russian Hill and they would come within 3-6 minutes at that hour. YMMV if you're in the outer sunset, etc.
posted by vivzan at 4:53 PM on March 19, 2016

Should be absolutely fine. I had a similar concern with a flight at almost exactly the same time on a Sunday, but I live in East Bay, and was headed to the Oakland airport. There were about 10 drivers operating within 10 miles of my house at that time. You might download the Lyft app & have that set-up as a second option just in case, but I'm almost certain that there will be folks working for Uber at that time in the city.
posted by Jaclyn at 4:53 PM on March 19, 2016

I live in the DC burbs and have needed Uber early on a Sunday, though not that early. My driver mentioned that he had been working all night driving people home from Saturday night partying - so while it was early to me, it was late to him. I imagine the same is true in SF and probably even more so earlier in the morning.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 5:51 PM on March 19, 2016

Lots of actual cab drivers around at that time of the morning, too. You could use the Flywheel app that lots of the cab companies have signed up with. I've never had a problem with getting a cab within minutes, especially when I'm on one of those early flights out of SFO.
posted by vickyverky at 6:17 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

I've used lyft and taxis around then to get to the airport at around 6am, and it has taken just a few minutes to get a ride. A lot of drivers come in from the east bay to drive, and want to be in the city for rush hour, so they come in early to beat the bridge traffic and extra toll, even if it means a hour or so of hanging around listening to the radio.

But if you are nervous, in the pre-lyft days I've called for a taxi the night beforehand and they always showed right up on time.
posted by aspo at 6:50 PM on March 19, 2016

Airport bound people are popular fares at that time of morning since they aren't reeking of alcohol fumes or puke. I'm not in SF but I never have trouble getting cabs to airports at that time, including on New Years Day, since the drivers know I'll be respectable. You should be fine.
posted by kitten magic at 7:22 PM on March 19, 2016

I had no trouble in the East Bay at 5 am on a weekday.
posted by salvia at 8:15 PM on March 19, 2016

Lots of Uber drivers specifically work the early morning airport runs because it's good money without having to deal with drunks.
posted by MexicanYenta at 10:54 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

Had no trouble with getting a lyft from San Jose to SFO at 5:30 am 2 weeks ago.
posted by raw sugar at 11:13 PM on March 19, 2016

You shouldn't have a problem, but if you're worried you can reserve a Wingz. I've had good experiences with them on the peninsula for getting to the airport.
posted by serelliya at 8:34 AM on March 20, 2016

Have a look at Wingz which specializes in to/from the Airport. We used it in SFO for our trip there last year, book in advance, no problems.
posted by getawaysticks at 9:24 AM on March 20, 2016