Airport transportation is a critical aspect of air travel to consider when purchasing a plane ticket.
You might have a friend or relative pick you up in many cases.
You could also choose to take an airport shuttle or taxi, too.
However, many people decide to call a rideshare service like Lyft when they need a ride.
But if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, will your Lyft driver accept it?
This article will break down all you need to know about Lyft luggage policies.
Table Of Contents
Can You Bring Luggage on a Lyft?
As with any car service, you’re welcome to bring luggage on a Lyft.
The driver will help you in most cases, but the amount you can bring will depend on how big the vehicle is and whether your luggage can be secured.
How Much Luggage Can You Bring on a Lyft?
The amount of luggage you can bring on a Lyft will depend on the size of the vehicle and the Lyft driver.
You’re just as likely to get a compact vehicle as a full-sized.
Not all vehicles will be able to accommodate more than one or two large suitcases.
For example, a Toyota Prius has a trunk that’s all but nonexistent.
On the other hand, a Subaru Legacy’s trunk is far roomier.
In addition, although Lyft might not have a hard-and-fast rule about how much luggage you can bring, the driver might.
If you get a Lyft driver who has chosen a luggage limit, you might be able to complain to Lyft, but this is unlikely to help you right away.
Your best bet is to book a Lyft through the Lyft app that’s large enough to hold your luggage.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different Lyft options and how much baggage you can expect each to accommodate on your ride.
Luggage Space in a Standard Lyft
A standard Lyft is the typical no-frills ride.
You’ll get a basic sedan or small SUV with no guarantee of lots of elbow room or storage space.
If you only have a bag or two, you won’t have anything to worry about.
Suitcases are another story.
These vehicles can usually fit anywhere from 2-3 large suitcases or 3-4 smaller suitcases or roll-aboards.
You might be able to fit more in the cabin if all of the seats aren’t occupied, but the rideshare driver might make you secure it for safety.
Luggage Allowance in a Shared Lyft
There’s no standard Lyft luggage allowance for individuals in a shared Lyft or Lyft Line ride because the maximum is based on the vehicle, not passengers.
So if you happen to get picked up second, you could be out of luck if the first person loaded up the trunk.
A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to one suitcase if you’re taking a shared Lyft.
It’s also probably best to only do a shared ride if you don’t have a lot of luggage or your suitcase is small.
Luggage Space in a Lyft Lux
Luxury vehicles tend to be larger than the standard Lyft vehicles.
Still, there’s no guarantee of getting a car or SUV.
Lyft Lux vehicles might include:
- Lincoln Towncar
- Mercedes GLB
- BMW 5 Series
Although each of these has a lot of trunk space for your luggage, you’ll be able to fit a lot more into a Mercedes GLB than a BMW 5 Series.
For that reason, you should expect to be able to hold a maximum of 2-3 large suitcases or 3-4 smaller ones in the trunk.
Luggage Space in a Lyft XL
If you’re traveling with several people or have a lot of luggage, you can book a Lyft XL ride to accommodate you.
A Lyft XL is a full-size SUV with a lot of passenger and trunk space.
Examples include
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Ford Explorer
- Jeep Cherokee
Cargo space in Lyft XL rides will be significantly greater than a standard Lyft, mainly because you’ll often have the option of turning down the third row of seating.
If you’re only traveling with 2-3 other passengers, you’ll have the third row and the rear cargo space for luggage.
Otherwise, you’ll only have the cargo area to work with.
If you’re only using the rear cargo space, you’ll be able to fit 3-4 large suitcases or 4-5 medium suitcases or roll-aboards.
On the other hand, if you can put down the third row, you’ll be able to add another 2-3 pieces of luggage.
Luggage Space in a Lyft Lux XL
A Lyft Lux XL is a large luxury SUV.
These offer similar cargo and passenger space as a Lyft XL but in a luxury vehicle.
Examples of Lux XL vehicles are:
- Range Rover
- Cadillac Escalade
- Mercedes G-Class
Lyft Lux XL vehicles will have a lot of cargo and passenger space.
Of course, the fewer passengers you have on your ride, the more luggage you’ll be able to fit.
In general, expect to have room for 3-4 large suitcases or 4-5 small or medium-sized suitcases.
Does it Cost Extra to Bring Luggage on a Lyft?
One of the nice things about taking a Lyft from the airport is that they don’t charge you for luggage.
You can bring your suitcases or bags into the vehicle without paying additional fees.
However, there are a few caveats to that.
Although you might not have to pay for luggage, a Lyft driver can refuse your ride if you have too much.
In addition, if you can’t store your baggage in the trunk or cabin of the vehicle safely and without obstructing mirrors, they have the right to refuse your fare.
So, to avoid potential frustrations, confirm with the driver ahead of time that your luggage will fit.
Or, book a Lyft XL to ensure you’re covered no matter what.
Do Lyft Drivers Help With Luggage?
There’s no rule that drivers have to help passengers with their Lyft luggage.
However, since luggage assistance isn’t company policy, you should expect to handle your suitcases yourself.
That said, many rideshare drivers will be happy to help.
Not only will helping you load your bags speed up the loading process, but it’ll also increase the likelihood of a decent tip.
Can a Driver Refuse a Ride Because of Too Much Luggage?
Just as there’s no rule saying a Lyft driver doesn’t have to help you load your luggage, there’s no rule that says a driver can’t refuse your ride.
In fact, drivers are allowed to refuse rides at any time.
The chance of a driver refusing a rider because of luggage is low.
Canceling rides affects their acceptance rate, affecting jobs they get in the future.
However, if you have more luggage than their car can hold, they may have no choice but to cancel your fare.
Should You Tell a Driver Beforehand if You Have Luggage?
The best way to avoid luggage frustration is by alerting the driver ahead of time if you have suitcases.
In general, any Lyft vehicle will be able to hold 2 large suitcases in the trunk.
If you have any more than that, you could run into trouble.
To avoid canceling your ride or setting your schedule back, you should book a Lyft XL if you have a lot of luggage.
This will guarantee you a larger vehicle and space for all your luggage.
Final Thoughts
Airport transportation shouldn’t be something to stress about.
But, of course, that’s often much easier said than done if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage.
If you plan to use a rideshare service for ground transportation on your next trip, make sure the vehicle you hire can accommodate you, your companions, and your luggage.
This will minimize your stress and, most importantly, start your vacation off smoothly.
So, next time you’re arranging a ride from the airport, be sure to check out Lyft’s XL options.
And denying too many rides gets one deactivated! Uber just as bad! I am banned unfairly and deactivated!
Crying shame good people die hard!
People don’t tip even if you break your back picking up their heavy luggage and also at the drop point. People are just entitled and rude as hell.
I agree with the comments above. Sometimes we go out of our way to find our passengers because they are in the wrong spot. When we arrive they are rude because it took so long to get them when in all reality it is their fault. 9 out of 10 riders do not tip but they all expect full service.
Picked up person with seven suitcases in my Toyota camry ,no tip