An airport transfer directly to your accommodation? Competitors aren’t thrilled.
Airbnb is introducing private car pickups, akin to services by Expedia, Viator, and Booking.com. Announced Tuesday, the partnership with Greek company Welcome Pickups allows Airbnb users to pre-book airport and station transfers through the app. While not a revolutionary change, it’s unfavorable news for Airbnb’s competitors.
When booking with Airbnb, you’ll get prompted to pre-book transfers, similar to other travel sites offering add-ons. For arrivals, provide your flight number so drivers can adjust for delays and coordinate pickup times. You’ll spot the driver with a sign displaying your name at the airport or station. For departures, add your accommodation details and preferred time through the app, much like Uber or Lyft, but your address will already be in the Airbnb app for a seamless experience.
According to Airbnb’s blog post, the private car service tested positively in early 2026. Rollouts will occur in 125 cities across Latin America, Asia, and Europe, but North America isn’t included yet, though Welcome Pickups has operated in U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago since 2021. More cities in these regions are expected throughout 2026, but for Heated Rivalry fans heading to the cottage, Canada isn’t on the list yet.
Shannon Connellan, Mashable’s UK Editor in London, formerly Mashable’s Australia Editor, wrote about this update. She covers entertainment, tech, and more.