Airbnb launches a private-car pickup service for travellers.

Airbnb has introduced a new feature to improve the travel experience, unveiling a private car pickup service available in 125 cities worldwide. The company confirmed on Tuesday that it is expanding its service offerings by adding a transportation category, allowing users to arrange private rides to destinations such as Paris, Bali, and Mexico City.

To bring this feature to life, Airbnb is collaborating with Welcome Pickups, a provider specialising in airport transfers and private rides. Through this partnership, travellers can schedule a private vehicle directly within the platform, making arrivals and departures more seamless.

According to the company, the service was tested in a pilot program across parts of Europe and Asia earlier this year. During that trial phase, thousands of guests used the feature, and it achieved an average rating of 4.96, indicating strong user satisfaction.

The booking process is integrated into the app experience. Once a user reserves accommodation in a city where the feature is active, an option appears in the Trips section of the Airbnb app to arrange a private pickup. Travellers can review trip details, manage their bookings, and make adjustments directly in the same interface, eliminating the need for external transportation apps.

Dave Stephenson, chief business officer at Airbnb, said the initiative is designed to improve the journey from the moment guests arrive. He noted that the integration with Welcome Pickups aligns with the broader goal of enhancing every stage of a trip, not just the stay itself.

The company also confirmed that the rollout is ongoing, with plans to expand the service to additional cities and regions throughout the year. This latest move builds on Airbnb's broader push into travel-related services, which began last summer with the introduction of a dedicated services category alongside an expanded experiences offering.

At launch, that services section included 10 different categories, enabling users to book offerings such as private chefs, catering, prepared meals, photography sessions, massages, spa treatments, personal training, and beauty services like hair, nails, and makeup across multiple countries.

Later in November, Airbnb further expanded its ecosystem by partnering with Instacart, allowing guests in select U.S. cities to order groceries before arriving or during their stay.

With the addition of private transportation, Airbnb is continuing its shift toward becoming a more comprehensive travel platform that covers multiple aspects of a trip. The company has also been testing hotel bookings, signalling its ambition to serve travellers regardless of the accommodation they choose.

During the company's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Brian Chesky emphasised the scale of the opportunity in the hotel segment, suggesting that expanding into other lodging options will help Airbnb serve every kind of travel experience, regardless of guests' preferences.