Welcome Pickups — Full Guide 2026
Airport Transfers · Our commission: 8–9% of the booking price.
Welcome Pickups is an airport transfer service with a personal touch. A local driver meets you at the airport with a name sign, helps with your luggage, and drives you to your hotel — and on the way, they share tips about the city: where to eat, what to avoid, and how to get around. It feels less like a taxi and more like being picked up by a friend who lives there. The price is fixed when you book, the driver tracks your flight, and you can pay online by card. Welcome Pickups works in more than 70 cities, including Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, London, Paris and many more popular destinations.
TL;DR — The Short Version
What it is: airport pickups by a friendly local driver, with a fixed price. Best for: first-time visitors who want a warm welcome and local tips. How it works: book online, the driver tracks your flight and meets you at arrivals. Extra: your driver shares tips about the city on the way to your hotel.
What is Welcome Pickups?
Welcome Pickups started with a simple idea: the first hour in a new city sets the tone for the whole trip, and a friendly local makes it much better. The drivers are not just drivers — they are locals who know their city.
They meet you at arrivals, help with your bags, and during the drive they tell you the useful things a guidebook does not: which neighbourhoods are best for dinner, how the metro works, and what to watch out for.
The service includes flight tracking, so a delayed plane is not a problem, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip on most bookings. You can also book extras such as a child seat, a return transfer, or a private tour with the same driver.
What You Can Book With Welcome Pickups
Here is what you can book with Welcome Pickups:
- Airport pickups: a local driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your hotel, with tips about the city on the way.
- Return transfers: book the trip back to the airport at the same time, for a stress-free last day.
- Private tours: in some cities you can book a private city tour with a local driver-guide.
- Child seats: add a baby seat or child seat to your booking for safe family travel.
How to Book With Welcome Pickups — Step by Step
- Open Welcome Pickups through our link and enter your airport, your hotel, your date and your flight number.
- Choose your car — a normal car, a bigger car, or a minivan for a group — and add any extras such as a child seat.
- Pay online by card. The price is fixed and shown clearly before you pay.
- Meet your driver at arrivals: they hold a sign with your name and your flight is tracked, so delays are not a problem.
- Enjoy the ride: ask your driver for tips — the best local restaurant, the easiest way to the centre, or what to do on your first evening.
Who Is Welcome Pickups Best For?
Welcome Pickups is best for first-time visitors who want more than a ride — they want a local to welcome them and answer their first questions about the city. It suits families with children, older travellers, and anyone arriving late at night or after a long flight.
It is also good for travellers who do not speak the local language, because the driver speaks English and handles everything. If you travel light and already know the city, a metro or a bus may be cheaper — but for a warm, personal start to your trip, Welcome Pickups is a lovely choice.
More Than a Taxi — The Local Driver Difference
The main difference between Welcome Pickups and a normal taxi is the driver. Welcome Pickups drivers are chosen for their local knowledge and their English, and they are trained to help travellers — not just to drive.
Many travellers say the tips they got on the drive were the most useful part of their trip: a restaurant the guidebooks missed, a warning about a tourist trap, or the best way to buy a metro ticket. The company also checks its drivers with reviews after every trip, so the quality stays high.
One honest note: because the drivers are local guides as well as drivers, Welcome Pickups costs a little more than the cheapest taxi in some cities — but most travellers find the fixed price, the flight tracking and the personal welcome worth the difference.
How We Earn With Welcome Pickups
When you book through our link, Welcome Pickups pays us a commission of
8–9% of the booking price.. The price you pay does not go up — the commission comes from Welcome Pickups, not from you. This is how we keep our travel guides free. We only list partners we believe are useful for real travellers.
Tips for Using Welcome Pickups
- Ask your driver questions: they know the city — use the ride to plan your first evening.
- Enter your flight number correctly so the driver can track delays.
- Book the return transfer too if you want the same smooth service on your last day.
- Tip your driver if you are happy — it is not required, but it is always welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Welcome Pickups?
Welcome Pickups is an airport transfer service where a friendly local driver meets you at the airport, helps with your bags, and drives you to your hotel — sharing local tips on the way.
Is the Welcome Pickups price fixed?
Yes. You see the full price before you book, and it does not change with traffic or delays.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Your driver tracks your flight and waits for you. Delays do not cost you extra.
Can I cancel a Welcome Pickups booking?
Most bookings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip. The exact rule is shown when you book.
Does Welcome Pickups offer child seats?
Yes, you can add a baby seat or child seat to your booking.
Which cities does Welcome Pickups cover?
More than 70 cities, including Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Athens and many more.
Do Welcome Pickups drivers speak English?
Yes — drivers are chosen for their English and local knowledge, so you can ask them questions about the city.
Can I book a tour with Welcome Pickups?
In some cities, yes — you can book a private city tour with a local driver-guide as well as airport transfers.
Related Guides & Partners
Kiwitaxi · GetTransfer · intui.travel · Istanbul Travel Guide · Dubai Travel Guide · All Travel Partners
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