How to Get More Rides on Uber in 2025

Written by Shehrez Riaz, Operations Associate at Ayan.
‍

Table of Contents
‍

1. Why More Rides = More Money
2. 9 Strategies To Get More Rides on Uber in 2025
3. Halal Car Finance Option
4. Final Summary

‍

Driving for Uber isn’t just about hours on the road - it’s about being smart with when, where, and how you drive. But you already know that. Or at least we hope you do.

It’s all well and good knowing there is some mystery algorithm some Uber genie is controlling, but to truly take advantage of it to improve your Uber game, it is crucial that you understand it as well.

‍

In 2025, Uber's algorithm rewards drivers who understand passenger patterns, surge areas, and platform features. With the right strategies, you can earn significantly more with the same (or even fewer) hours.

‍
Passenger patterns refers to how your potential rider would move. Where to look for them, what time, how could you put yourself above other options, etc. This is important because if you know how to predict where and when passengers will be looking for an Uber, you can strategically map out your whole day, wasting absolutely no time.

Surge areas are dynamic areas which could have potential to see increased rider demand, exceeding driver supply, which boosts the multiplier drivers receive. Since these are dynamic, and therefore harder to predict than regular ‘hotspots’, these are gold mines in the Uber world. Understanding how to leverage these areas regularly can take you to another level of earning

‍

And Uber’s platform, or their app, has regular promotions, filters, insights and many more that you must learn how to use. This is what sets apart the Uber drivers who just want this as a part time gig, and those really looking to make this a full time job to squeeze all its potential.

‍

Lucky for you, no matter which of those you are, if you just want more rides, below are 9 ways you can find more rides ‍ if you’re not already taking advantage of them.

‍

1. Position Yourself in Surge Zones Before Peak Hours

‍

Uber’s dynamic pricing model rewards drivers who anticipate demand, not just chase it. 

‍

Picture this: London at dawn, the city barely awake, and you - armed with your Toyota Prius and a sixth sense for human laziness - ready to cash in. Uber’s dynamic pricing model doesn’t just reward those who follow the herd; it’s for the psychic warriors of the road, the drivers who know where the questionable Friday night crowd will be before they even leave their flats. That’s why the following peak times should be always engrained in your head:

• Weekday mornings: 6:30–9:30am
  
  
• Evenings: 5:00–8:00pm
  
  
• Friday & Saturday nights: 8:00pm–2:00am
  
  

Now it’s all well and good to know when to look… but what about where. This is where it can get a little tricky, or, a little easier, depending on how you look at it.

You see, regular hotspots will always be popping. Heathrow and Gatwick (a.k.a. long-haul jackpot), Euston and King’s Cross (train station gold mines), and entertainment zones like Soho, Shoreditch, and Stratford Westfield where surge pricing blooms like a beautiful, dependable, regular, money-making flower.

However, the way Uber’s multiplier works; the bigger the demand surplus (demand of riders - supply of drivers), the bigger the multiplier. So in the regular hotspots listed above, whilst you’re bound to get more rides due to the sheer number of passengers that go in and out, you’re missing out on that extra multiplier.

For those hidden sweet spots, you should be in the know about events, concerts, even ‘hyped’ pop up locations, especially if you’re in London. Something new happens literally every day. Keep reading to figure out how you can stay up to date and leverage these.

‍

Regardless, you can use Gridwise or Uber’s heatmap to hunt down the red-hot surge zones - but remember, the real winners aren’t the ones chasing the surge… They're the ones already parked in it, sipping coffee and counting the fares before they’ve even left the driveway.

‍

‍

2. Master the Airport Game

‍

Airports can be a goldmine for Uber drivers, but only if you play the game like a pro. Think of it less like driving and more like treasure hunting with a GPS.

First things first: join the airport queue. Again, Uber's algorithm prioritises Uber drivers who are already there, before the rush. And unfortunately, it’s not exactly a secret that thousands of people go in and out of the airport daily. So time it right, look at the busiest flights coming in from major cities: New York, LA, Dublin, Doha, Dubai - these are some of the flights which use big airport carriers and have crazy passenger volumes on each flight.

Next, keep your documents up to date. PHV badge, Uber stickers, the whole shabang. Nothing will ruin your big airport score faster than a missing permit or a surprise compliance check from someone in a high-vis jacket. And speaking of high-level airport knowledge, you need to master the secret lairs known as waiting zones. Only Allah knows the amount of Uber drivers that have cancelled last minute from being unable to find passengers in the massive maze that is Heathrow’s waiting zones. Take Heathrow T5 Uber parking, for example, it’s basically the VIP lounge for drivers who actually know what they’re doing.

‍

Here’s where it gets juicy: long-distance airport drop-offs aren’t just a nice fare; they often unlock the holy grail of back-to-back trip chains. You drop one passenger, the app immediately sends you another, and suddenly you’re riding a wave of fares that can last for hours. Play your cards right, and you won’t just make money, you’ll feel like you’ve hacked the Uber matrix.

‍

‍

‍

3. Use Destination Filters to Control Your Route

‍

Think of Uber’s “destination filters” as the ride-share equivalent of a side mission on GTA. You get two of these little magic buttons per day, and they basically tell the app, “Hey, I’m going this way, find me passengers who won’t drag me to the opposite side of the planet.” It’s the perfect move when you’re clocking out and heading home, gunning for those sweet surge fares, or just dodging that one street where traffic crawls slower than my grandma after her hip surgery last week (get well soon grammy).

‍

Here’s the beauty: you’re not just randomly accepting rides that lead you on a three-hour joy-ride into unknown suburbs. Quite the contrary, my friend, you’re earning strategically. Think of it as monetizing your commute. You’re getting paid, to do what you would have had to do anyways. Unless your plan was to sleep in your car in the middle of nowhere… in which case the author apologises for jumping to conclusions.

You’re still heading to the same place, just with a few pit stops that make your wallet fatter. It’s the ultimate multitask: get paid, avoid gridlock, and still make it home in time for dinner (or at least Netflix).

‍

‍

4. Drive During Events & Conventions

‍

London isn’t just a city, it’s a full-time events machine. At any given moment, there’s a conference, a concert, or a stadium event turning the streets into a human pinball game. One minute you’re cruising peacefully, the next your Uber app is lighting up like a Christmas tree. Places like The O2 Arena, Wembley Stadium, Excel London, and the West End theatres aren’t just venues, they’re surge-fare factories disguised as entertainment hubs.

If you want to play the game like a pro, just pretend you’re an event planner. Keep an eye on sites like Time Out London, Eventbrite, and TFL’s event calendar. These are your crystal balls for predicting when a wave of slightly tipsy, very chatty passengers will flood the streets. Spot the spike before it happens, and you’re not just driving, you’re surfing the surge. 

‍

‍

‍

5. Keep Your Car Clean, Comfortable, and Well-Maintained

‍

In the Uber world, your passenger rating can either be your golden ticket to more rides, or like that one friend that drags you into trouble no matter how hard you try not to get involved. For those of my dear driver dawgs that already have that golden ticket, feel free to scroll onto the next tip. However, if you’re in need of a boost, read on. But for those with concerningly low ratings, this section might not be enough. Lucky for you, we have an entire blog on ways to improve your uber driver rating in 2025.

Small touches go a long way here. Think comfy seat covers, a fresh scent in the air, a couple of USB ports for phone-charging emergencies, and maybe even bottled water.

‍

Of course, it’s not all about what you add, it’s also about what you avoid. Dirty windows? No. Ear-splitting rattles from your back seat? Nope. Driving like you’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Roundabout Drift? Definitely not. Keep things clean, calm, and courteous, and you’ll climb the ratings ladder faster than you can say “five stars, please.” And remember: higher ratings mean priority access to better ride requests.

‍

‍

6. Drive a 7-Seater to Unlock Uber XL & Exec Tiers

‍

Most Uber drivers only qualify for UberX. And for a lot of people, this is actually a good strategy. It keeps your fixed costs low (maintenance, servicing etc.), and means your starting costs could’ve also been the lowest (i.e. price of the car).

 
But if you drive a PCO-approved 7-seater (like the Kia Sorento PHEV or Tesla Model X), you can also be eligible for Uber XL and sometimes Uber Exec. Whilst this means your fixed costs will likely be slightly higher, and your starting costs will be higher, it makes you available to almost every possible rider. It’s all about strategy, so pick wisely. If you’re unsure of which strategy to choose, have a look at our blog which can walk you through picking between UberX, Uber XL and Uber Exec.

Some trips just hit the jackpot, they pay more per mile and come with passengers who aren’t trying to balance a kebab in one hand while scrolling TikTok in the other. We’re talking airport runs, family outings, and business travellers who treat your backseat like an extension of their office (bonus points if they’re too busy emailing to notice your questionable taste in music).

‍

The real magic? These rides often chain together during busy periods. Drop one group off, and boom, you’re picking up the next before your seatbelt’s even cooled down. It’s like a conveyor belt of higher fares, except instead of chocolate bars, you’re delivering people who might actually thank you at the end.

But 7 seaters that also qualify for Uber Exec are hard to find, and even harder to get. If you want some help on getting started, have a look at our guide to 7 seaters here.

‍

‍

7. Respond Quickly to Pings

‍

Uber’s algorithm has a soft spot for drivers who jump on ride requests like their life depends on it. It makes sense if you think about it. These days there are so many alternatives (Bolt, Ola, Freenow - now acquired by Lyft), Uber needs drivers who will make sure riders don’t switch apps for convenience.

‍
The faster you tap “accept,” the more the app smiles upon you, and yes, in Uber-speak, that means better rankings and potentially more trips coming your way. Even if you turn down a few rides here and there (because no one’s judging you for dodging that 45-minute trek to the middle of nowhere), keeping your average response time lightning-fast works in your favor. In general, if you’re really trying to hustle, just put in those extra couple hours and say yes to a few more rides that might be out of your way.

‍

Aim to respond within 5 seconds. That tiny burst of urgency not only improves your standing with the algorithm but also shows you’re a reliable driver ready to roll. And the quicker you accept, the less chance you have of overthinking whether you really want to go to Brighton at 11 p.m.

‍

‍

8. Work in Complement with Other Apps

‍

Linking to the last section, apps like Bolt, FreeNow (now Lyft), or Ola can supplement income during slow Uber hours.

It’s likely that everyone’s first instinct is to go on Uber first when booking a ride. But sometimes, discounts for riders on other apps, or faster pick up times, can turn someone’s loyalty. What can we say, money and time makes the world go round 🤷‍♂️. So register on those other apps. The same way riders might use it as a ‘back up’ option, you could too. And who knows, maybe you’ll find out you prefer one of them more.

‍

But even better: multi-app awareness helps you understand where overall demand is rising, so you can reposition yourself faster, and choose the best trips for you… every… single… time.

‍

‍

9. Keep Your Acceptance & Cancellation Rates in Check

‍

As mentioned before, Uber needs to retain their dominance in the private hire space. One of the ways they ensure this; making sure their drivers are constantly on it. Too many cancelled or ignored rides? Uber lowers your priority in the dispatch queue. It’s cut-throat out here dawg.

‍

Maintain:

‍

• Higher than 90% acceptance rate
  
  
• Lower than 5% cancellation rate
  
  

It shows that you’re dependable and that they’re not wasting their time continuously sending you more riders. This helps you stay in favour with Uber’s algorithm and get more consistent ride requests.

‍

Bonus: Halal Car Finance Can Also Help You Earn More
‍

At Ayan Capital, we provide Halal car finance that gets you behind the wheel of a:

‍

• ✅ PCO-eligible hybrid or EV
  
  
• ✅ Uber XL or Exec-eligible car
  
  
• ✅ Low weekly repayment vehicle based on trade, with no interest (riba)
  
  

👉 Apply Online Now!

Final Summary: How to Get More Rides on Uber in 2025 📊

‍

‍