I Tested Uber’s Shuttle Service: Is It a Cost-Effective Alternative To Surge Pricing?

Now that I have a car and also live in a city that has good public transportation options, I don't often reach for rideshare apps like I used to when I was in college or in my early 20s. Well, for those reasons, and the fact that it's much more expensive nowadays than they were when I was coming home a wee bit tipsy from a night out at 22. But I have been going to more events this summer , and it's especially convenient to reach for Uber or Lyft when I don't want to worry about parking my car at the venue or being a designated driver. It's also just useful to not have to walk to a bus or train and wait.

So, as you can see—and can probably personally attest to—there are still a multitude of reasons to choose personal taxis , or the like. But those surge prices during big nights or events feel criminal at times, which can really deter you from leaning on a rideshare app. 

To address those issues, Uber has come up with a solution that combines their convenient app and features with a fixed price to some of the biggest venues around: Uber Shuttle . It's been around for a little bit, making waves more recently at the FIFA World Cup games in New York/New Jersey as one of the only affordable transportation options to and from MetLife Stadium. But it's newer to Chicago, where I'm located, and popping up in cities that it wasn't originally in.

I was able to try it out to give my honest review of Uber Shuttleafter using it to get home from a WNBA All-Star game in Chicago in July. Read on to see what it was like and if it's worth it to avoid surge pricing.

Related: I Finally Tried Out 'The Comfy' Hoodie From 'Shark Tank'—Here's My Honest Review

What Is Uber Shuttle and How Does It Work?

While I'm old enough to remember the days when we would order shared Ubers and get in a random car with multiple strangers—so wild that this was even a thing; I only ever did this with friends, but still —an Uber Shuttle is a somewhat related concept but with a far safer experience. 

It's similar in that you're using the same Uber app and getting a reduced price because you're choosing a more communal option. However, you're in a nice bus with an Uber Shuttle, and there are fixed drop-off locations that aren't your front door. While that might be less convenient than a regular Uber, it's safer when others are on board. And it has its perks, as I'll share below. 

As NBC Chicago reported back on March 5, 2025, Uber launched a $5 shuttle from the United Center in Chicago. And while Uber Shuttle isn't available for Chicago's airports, it is currently available as an airport transport at LaGuardia, Newark, JFK and Boston. In addition to the United Center (UC) in Chicago, it is available for events at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Globe Life Field in Dallas.

It is a permanent feature, "here to stay," per a representative from Uber. And it's marketed as an "affordable, convenient and easy way to get home from your favorite concerts, events and games all year round."

"Uber Shuttle is similar to our airport Shuttles, but also offered at select venues across the country," a press statement shared with Parade states. "You can book your seat up to 7 days and as little as 10 minutes in advance, ensuring you have a guaranteed spot and locked-in price when the crowds head out at the end of your event." 

While it's in a limited number of cities right now, Uber is "continuing to expand" to more venues in America, as well as specific events, as they did with the World Cup.

"The product is part of Uber's broader effort to reduce transportation friction around some of the country's most attended live events," their statement says.

Related: 'I Tried the New KISS imPRESS Nails for 30 Days To See if They Are Actually Worth It'

Key Features & Logistics: What You Need To Know Before Booking

To take the Uber Shuttle home from our event at the United Center, it was a flat fee of $12.

Pickup/drop-off spots

While the Uber Shuttle site for Chicago has a long list of drop-off locations, it seems like the main operating stops after the United Center are the Ogilvie Transportation Center, River North (on State St. and Grand Ave.) and Mag Mile (on Chicago Ave., off Michigan Ave. going toward the lake). We took it from the arena, and it looks like that's the main way to use the shuttle in Chicago at the moment.

Looking up your city's Uber Shuttle options is key, as we can't share every single stop available in each city. But there are several drop-off points from JFK Airport in New York City, according to their site .

Baggage policy

If you're using it for the airport, you're of course going to have luggage of some sort. So in terms of baggage, you're allowed one piece of luggage weighing up to 45 lbs and one personal item that you can fit in your lap or under your seat. In order to bring more luggage aboard, you have to book additional seats.

Seating and vehicle types

As far as rules go, every rider over the age of 2 has to have their own ticket and seat; one rider under 2 per adult can ride for free. I'm sure there are some shuttles that are bigger than others, and the type of vehicle probably changes slightly per city, but from the UC, we were put in a large bus, almost like a mini motor coach.

Related: I Finally Ordered Bouqs Flowers From 'Shark Tank'—Here's My Honest Review

The Experience: Pros and Cons of Riding Uber Shuttle

Pros: flat rates, schedule predictability and cleanliness

One of the most notable things about the Uber Shuttle, once you board, is just how nice the vehicle is. It's an air-conditioned, modern bus with overhead compartments and plush seats with seatbelts and armrests. It's also pretty big with a lot of spots. I don't know why, but I had assumed they were going to be smaller, like sprinter vans (à la The Real Housewives ), but no. You're getting a bus with a motor coach sort of vibe, way nicer than a public transit bus (sorry, CTA).

We were guided through the whole experience by people who work with Uber, so we didn't have to navigate the schedule or find our shuttle on our own. However, it seems like the schedule is pretty predictable and there are a lot of buses leaving throughout the day (or at the end of an event). Plus, from the United Center, it's easy to find the shuttles in the Uber Zone tent set up near the venue (though this is also where people catching regular Ubers are as well, so prepare for it to be packed).

The biggest pro to using Uber Shuttle is the flat rate you pay for your ticket. It's the same price per person, and there is no surge pricing, which is helpful if you're leaving a large event like the WNBA All-Star Game we were coming from or a concert. 

If you've ever left a major concert, you know that a ride can skyrocket to $80 or $100 for a ride that's usually $25. So this is a nice option to leave from an event without having to take public transportation, pay for parking with your own car or pay for overly expensive Ubers.

Cons: No door-to-door service, limited drop-off points

Uber Shuttle in general is going to be less convenient than a regular rideshare option because you're not getting door-to-door service. But in places like New York, there seem to be a lot of stops within Manhattan, which also brings you close to many public transportation options. However, that's not the case in Chicago.

The biggest issue I had with Uber Shuttle is the fact that the drop-off points are so limited here, specifically. We had three options as stated before: Ogilvie Transportation Center, River North and Mag Mile. We live about 20 mins north of the last stop, so it's not exactly convenient in that regard. So once we got off the shuttle, we still had to take another car home (there were no Ubers in the area, so we ordered a Lyft). But more on that in a minute.

While this didn't happen to me, I was reading online that some people have had issues with potential cancellations or Uber Shuttles being too full and leaving people without a ride to the airport. Because of this, if you want to use this to get to the airport, I'd recommend giving yourself more than enough time in case you need to use a different form of transportation (and have a plan B). 

Related: I've Used 7 Prequel Skincare Products for 30 Days—Here's What I'd Buy Again

How To Book an Uber Shuttle Step-by-Step

There are two ways to book an Uber Shuttle (both are in the Uber app). 

Per Uber's website , you can go to the Home tab. Then:

1. Enter your destination in "Where To?"

2. Select the "Uber Shuttle" option.

3. Select your preferred pickup time and how many seats you need.

4. Review your ride and rate.

5. Tap "Confirm" to reserve your Uber Shuttle.

Or you can go to the Services tab:

1. Select the Shuttle icon.

2. Enter your destination.

3. Select your preferred pickup time and how many seats you need.

4. Tap "Confirm to reserve" your Shuttle.

After you make a reservation in the Uber app, you'll get a ticket with a QR code and a unique PIN five minutes before your trip is scheduled to start. Once you board, the driver will scan your code. 

Similar to regular Ubers, you can track your shuttle and view your pickup location in the app five minutes before your trip is meant to start.

Final Verdict: Is Uber's New Shuttle Service Worth It?

Uber Shuttle is a cool idea, and with how nice and new the buses are and how convenient it can be, I think that it's worth it if the drop-off locations and pickup stops are close to you.

For the airports in New York City, I can totally see this being an option I use in the future to get into Manhattan. We usually use taxi cabs if Uber or Lyft are too expensive, but even a taxi can cost a lot depending on where we're going or what time of the day it is. I know the subway system well there, so I could definitely see this being a great option to plop me in Times Square, and then I can take it from there. If the shuttle is only $12 or so, that's worth it in my book. 

I know, I know—taking public transportation from the airport in NYC is also an option. But it takes longer, so the Uber Shuttle is more convenient in that regard. I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend a bit extra to have a more pleasant ride into Manhattan, even if it's not super close to my endpoint. 

And in terms of Chicago, even though the drop-off location wasn't close to where we live, I will say that it can still be worth it to get home from the United Center in some cases. For one, if you're someone who is staying near one of the three stops, it's 100% a great option. So for tourists staying near those locations, or people who live near them, it's an easy way to get out of the chaos of the UC.

Speaking of, I would even say that in certain situations, the Uber Shuttle might be an option I reach for again even though the drop-off was not close to home. Why? The Uber Shuttle got us out of the hectic area around the United Center pretty quickly. And as someone who paid for expensive event parking for two concerts at the UC in recent months, it is hell trying to get out of the parking lot and that area. The traffic is horrible, no one knows how to merge properly and the fastest way home is usually always blocked off, which means I have to take side streets a lot of the way home.

So while it took almost 50 minutes to drive home—when it usually takes 25-30—after a concert in my own car, it took about the same time to take the Uber Shuttle to the Water Tower Place, then get in a private ride home. So with one "transfer" and for a fraction of the price (event parking is usually around $60+), I got home around the same time with Uber Shuttle as I did with my own car. 

No transportation is perfect coming from the airport or a major event venue. But Uber Shuttle is another way to make it a little easier, and they aim to make it a lot cheaper for customers. While I only used it once, I definitely think it's worth it in different situations.

Up Next:

Related: I Finally Saw a Concert at 112-Year-Old Wrigley Field—Now I Understand Why Fans Never Stop Talking About It

This story was originally published by Parade on Aug 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.