Waymo Opens Fully Autonomous Rides to Everyone in Three Cities

Waymo opened its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the general public in San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa on October 14, 2026, announcing that anyone in the three cities can download the Waymo app and hail a ride. The opening includes fully autonomous service at San Antonio International Airport.

The company said it has welcomed hundreds of thousands of riders across the three cities since opening service there earlier in 2026, with trips ranging from the beach and hockey games to the Riverwalk and grocery runs. Waymo described the cities as having embraced the service as an important resource for expanding accessible and reliable transportation options across the region.

Autonomous Rides at San Antonio International Airport

Waymo characterized the airport service as the newest way for people to catch a flight in the Alamo City.

Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the City of San Antonio Aviation, said the airport is committed to building the airport of the future and embracing new technology and innovation. He described fully autonomous Waymo rides at the airport as a significant milestone for Waymo, the city, and travelers, and said visitors heading downtown and locals catching early-morning flights have a new option to get there.

Senior and Low-Vision Advocates on Access

In San Diego, Bob Kelly, Founder CEO of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, said transportation is the lifeline of independence for older adults. Self-driving technology like Waymo’s is about inclusion as well as innovation, he said, adding that San Diego should be at the forefront of bringing safe, reliable, and accessible mobility options to seniors who deserve to stay active and connected.

Scott Young, Board Chair for Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision, said transportation is the number one barrier to independence for his organization’s Tampa-area clients, many of whom lose their sight or experience significant vision decline and can no longer drive, leaving them reliant on family members, friends, or others to get places. “With Waymo, they get their independence back,” Young said in Waymo’s announcement.

Earlier Invitation-Based Openings in 2026

San Antonio’s first public rides began on February 24, 2026, when Waymo welcomed its first public riders in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, an opening the company said was its first to the public in multiple cities simultaneously and brought its total commercial metro areas to 10.

Access then was invitation-based: select riders from the tens of thousands in those cities who had downloaded the Waymo app received invitations on a rolling basis as the company scaled operations ahead of opening the service to everyone later in the year.

“Waymo is serving more riders than ever, as we are on track to serve over one million rides per week by the end of this year,” co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in the February announcement. She said the four cities were critical to Waymo’s plans as the company laid groundwork for service in more than 20 cities, and the company described itself at the time as the only one operating a commercial fully autonomous ride-hailing service at scale in multiple complex urban environments.

In the same announcement, Waymo reported more than 200 million fully autonomous miles traveled and said data from over 127 million miles showed a ten-fold reduction in serious-injury-or-worse crashes and a 12-fold reduction in injury crashes involving pedestrians compared with human drivers.

San Diego and Tampa saw their first public riders on September 1, 2026, when Waymo opened service in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, a launch the company said marked 14 cities where it provides fully autonomous trips. Tens of thousands of people in each city had already signed up and expressed interest in riding, and Waymo said it would steadily offer more riders access as it worked toward opening the service to everyone.

Chief Marketing Officer Suzanne Philion said at the time that the launches brought Waymo’s newest vehicle platform and next-generation driver to more riders. Waymo said it had spent months validating the Waymo Driver’s performance on local streets, working closely with local first responders so they could learn how to interact with its technology, and partnering with community groups to understand local needs. The company also cited its safety record, saying the Waymo Driver had been involved in 94% fewer serious-injury-or-worse crashes compared with human drivers.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in September that Waymo’s arrival gave residents another effective way to get around and supported the city’s goal of strengthening its transportation network with options for every preference or need.

With the October 14, 2026 opening, anyone in San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa can download the Waymo app and ride, the company said.