Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at Memphis International Airport
Rideshare pickup at MEM is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at MEM
UUber Pickup Zone
Interim Commercial Curb (ICC) at Arrivals/Baggage Level — outside C Baggage Claim, bright orange signage (effective Sept 9, 2025; expected through Q4 2027 during construction)
LLyft Pickup Zone
Same ICC outside C Baggage Claim on the arrivals level
In the app
Search 'Memphis International Airport (MEM)'; app routes to the ICC on the arrivals/baggage level
How to find the rideshare zone
Follow signs to C Baggage Claim on the arrivals level; exit to the orange-signed Interim Commercial Curb (ICC) directly outside.
Cell Phone Lot
Free Cell Phone Waiting Lot immediately to the right of the main drive just after entering airport grounds — no posted time limit; equipped with flight-information displays and enhanced lighting; less than 1 minute from the terminal. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at MEM
When surge peaks: Surge peaks Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons; Memphis in May festival season, Elvis Week (August), and the St. Jude Memphis Marathon (December) drive notable demand spikes.
Wait tip
Pickup moved downstairs to the arrivals level in September 2025 — the old upper-level location is gone; look for orange ICC signs and airport volunteers near the exits.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at MEM including rental cars and public transit, see the MEM Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for MEM
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →