Field Guide · Rideshare & taxis

Getting Around on the Ground

By Rachel Julian, Editor-in-Chief · July 21, 2026 · 4 min read

Ground transport is the small stuff that adds up. Here’s how to expense it, get from the airport, and stay safe in a late-night ride — in plain terms.

Direct answer: The rides between the airport, the hotel, and the meeting are easy to under-plan and over-spend on. Here’s how to handle ground transport cleanly and safely.

The rides between the airport, the hotel, and the meeting are easy to under-plan and over-spend on. Here’s how to handle ground transport cleanly and safely.

Can I expense Uber for work?

Yes — rideshare for business travel is a standard reimbursable ground-transport cost. Switch on the business profile so the receipt emails itself, and note the trip purpose if your system asks for it.

Should I tip my rideshare driver on a work trip?

In the US, yes — a couple of dollars or roughly 15–20%, and it’s expensable as part of the ride. In many other countries tipping drivers isn’t expected, so match the local norm.

What is the best way to get from the airport to my hotel?

It depends on the city — rail or transit is often fastest and cheapest in transit-rich metros, rideshare or a taxi is simplest door-to-door, and a hotel shuttle is free where it exists. Our airport-to-office guides spell out the reality per city. See: getting there.

Is a rideshare safe late at night?

Generally yes with the basic habits: confirm the license plate and the driver’s name before you get in, share your trip status, sit in the back, and trust your gut. Late at night, the verify-before-you-get-in step matters most.

How do I expense a taxi with no receipt?

Reconstruct it — log the date, route, amount, and purpose, and use a card statement if you paid by card. Most policies accept a written record for small cash rides; going forward, ask for the receipt or use an app that emails one.

How much should I budget for rides on a trip?

Rough it by the city and your days — a few short rides a day adds up faster than people expect in expensive metros. A well-located hotel or transit cuts it most; a per-trip ground-transport line keeps the estimate honest.

More answers for the road in the Field Guide.

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The Field Guide is The Sales Traveler’s own editorial — experienced-traveler judgment, on the traveler’s side. Where an answer touches a rule or number (policy, tax, security), confirm it with the primary source; we don’t invent specifics. Independent and reader-funded; no paid placements.