Landing at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is a trip. Seriously. You’re looking out the window at the harbor, the plane feels like it’s basically skimming the water, and then—thump—you’re on the ground. But the real adventure starts when you try to leave. If you’re planning on a Boston Logan Uber pickup, don’t expect to just walk out the front door and find your driver waiting by the curb.
It doesn't work that way here.
Boston is a city of "U-turns" and "you can’t get there from here" vibes. The airport is no exception. Because of the way the terminals are squeezed into East Boston, Massport (the authority that runs the place) moved almost all ride-hail pickups to a centralized spot called the Central Parking Garage. If you walk out of baggage claim and stand there looking for a Prius with a glowing windshield sticker, you’re going to be waiting a long time.
And you'll probably get a dirty look from a State Trooper.
The App-Ride Lot Reality
The first thing you’ve got to wrap your head around is that the "Central Parking" area is the heartbeat of the Boston Logan Uber pickup system. Whether you’re at Terminal A, B, or E, the signs are going to point you toward a series of elevators and pedestrian bridges. Terminal C is the slight outlier, but we'll get to that. Basically, you are going for a walk.
It’s usually a five to ten-minute trek.
If you have three checked bags and a stroller, this is the part where you start questioning your life choices. Honestly, if you’re heavily loaded, you might want to look into the Logan Express or a traditional taxi, which can still pick up at certain curbsides. But for the Uber die-hards, the walk is the price of admission.
The pickup zones are color-coded and numbered. Your app is going to tell you something like "Zone 2, Level G." Pay attention to that. The drivers are under massive pressure from airport security to keep moving, so if you aren't at your assigned spot when they pull up, they might just cancel and circle back. It’s a high-stakes game of musical chairs with mid-sized sedans.
Terminal Specifics: A, B, and E
For Terminal A (Delta/WestJet), you're heading up to the second floor. Cross the pedestrian bridge. It feels like you're walking into a giant concrete abyss, but just keep following the "App Ride/TNC" signs.
Terminal B is a bit of a maze. Since it’s a giant horseshoe, there are actually two different pickup areas depending on which side of the terminal you exit. If you’re at the United side, it’s one path; if you’re at American, it’s another. The app usually does a decent job of pinning your location, but verify you're walking toward the Central Parking garage and not just wandering into the departure drop-off zone.
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Terminal E is where the international flights land. It’s often the busiest. After you clear customs and realize you’ve forgotten what timezone you’re in, follow the signs for the bridge to Central Parking. It’s on Level 3.
The Terminal C Exception
Wait, I mentioned Terminal C was different. If you’re flying JetBlue, you’re in luck. Terminal C actually has its own dedicated pickup area right outside on the ground level (Arrivals level). You don't have to hike to the central garage.
This is a massive win.
You just walk out the doors, cross a couple of lanes of traffic, and there you are. It’s probably the most "normal" airport pickup experience left at Logan. Just make sure you select "Terminal C" specifically in the app, or it might try to default you to the garage out of habit.
Why the Pricing is So Weird
Ever noticed that an Uber from Logan costs way more than an Uber to Logan? It’s not just surge pricing, though that happens plenty when three flights from London and Paris land at the same time.
Massport hits every ride-hail trip with a $3.25 airport fee. Then there’s the "East Boston Toll." Even if the driver doesn't go through the Sumner or Ted Williams Tunnel on the way to get you, they’re often charged as if they did, or the fee is baked into the "airport operations" cost.
Expect to pay a premium.
If you see a $50 fare to get to the Back Bay, that’s actually pretty standard during peak hours. If you want to save money, you can take the Silver Line (which is free from the airport) to South Station and call your Uber from there. It’s a classic local move. You dodge the airport fees and the initial gridlock of the terminal loops.
The Driver's Perspective
I talked to a guy named Sal who has been driving for Uber in Boston since 2016. He hates the garage. "It's a funnel," he told me. "You get five hundred cars trying to get into four lanes, and the GPS in there is garbage because of all the concrete."
This is a real issue.
Because you’re inside a massive concrete structure, your phone might tell the driver you’re 50 feet away when you’re actually on a different level. Always, always send a text to your driver with your specific Zone number. "I'm at Zone 3, wearing a red hat." It saves everyone ten minutes of frustration.
Drivers also have a "staging lot" over on Tomahawk Drive. They sit there waiting for the app to ping them. When the airport is busy, that lot is a sea of headlights. If your driver takes 12 minutes to get to you even though the app says they are "nearby," it’s because they are navigating the perimeter road traffic.
Weather and Other Boston Problems
When it snows, the pickup zones become a special kind of hell. The bridges are covered, but the pickup area itself is open to the elements on the sides. Wind whips through that garage like a gale.
If it’s January, don't take your coat off until you are literally inside the car.
Also, keep an eye on the "Big Dig" legacy. Construction is a permanent state of being in Boston. Ramps close without notice. The Sumner Tunnel—which connects the airport to downtown—is frequently closed on weekends or for long stretches during the summer for renovations. If the tunnel is closed, your Uber fare is going to skyrocket because the driver has to take a massive detour through Chelsea or the Ted Williams.
Check the news before you land. If the Sumner is closed, you might be better off taking the Blue Line subway (the "T"). The airport shuttle (Route 22 or 33) will take you right to the Blue Line station for free.
Is Uber Comfort or XL Worth It?
At Logan, maybe.
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The standard UberX cars are often tiny. If you have a family of four and everyone has a suitcase, you aren't fitting in a Corolla. The Massport troopers are very strict about "loading." They won't let a driver sit there for five minutes while you try to Tetris your bags into a trunk that won't close.
If you’re a group, just go for the XL. It gives you more breathing room in the pickup zone and less stress when the "Move your vehicle!" sirens start blaring.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Exit
Don't just wing it. Logan is too chaotic for that.
- Request after you grab your bags. Don't request the ride while you're standing at the carousel. You still have a 5-10 minute walk ahead of you. Request the ride once you start heading toward the pedestrian bridges.
- Check the Sumner Tunnel status. Use an app like Waze or check MassDOT's website. If it's closed, your ride to the city could take an hour instead of 15 minutes.
- Use the "Message Driver" feature. Tell them your specific Zone and Level. "Terminal B, Zone 4, Level 2." It cuts through the GPS noise.
- Look for the "App Ride" signs. Ignore the signs for "Limos" or "Taxis" unless you actually want those services. They are in completely different spots.
- Consider the Silver Line. If the Uber price looks insane (over $60), hop on the Silver Line bus outside the terminal. It’s free, it has luggage racks, and it drops you at South Station where Ubers are cheaper and more plentiful.
Boston is a great city, but the airport is a test of patience. Treat the Boston Logan Uber pickup like a mission. Get to your zone, communicate with your driver, and keep your eyes peeled for that license plate. Once you're through the tunnel and see the skyline, the stress of the garage will fade pretty fast.
Just remember to tip your driver if they had to sit in that tunnel traffic for you. They’re doing the hard work so you don't have to navigate the rotaries yourself.