When you’re ordering a ride, time matters. According to customer feedback, a quick and smooth pickup is one of the most important parts of a great ride-hailing experience.

That’s why we’ve been working on features — both behind the scenes and in the app — to help you get where you’re going faster, easier, and more reliably.

Here are 5 simple tools you can use today to reduce wait time and improve your Bolt experience (and one powerful background improvement).

1. Save your favourite locations and precise pickup points

Save time typing and avoid pickup delays.

Typing the same addresses every time can be a hassle, and sometimes even the correct address isn’t enough for your driver to find you quickly. That’s why Bolt makes it easy to save your most-used spots and default pickup/drop-off points.

How to set it up:

Save your frequently used addresses, such as Home or Work, under Saved Places in Settings.
Drop a pin for the precise pickup/drop-off spot, and toggle on “Always pick me up here when I’m at this location”.
Next time, just type “Home” or “Work” instead of the full address.
Your driver will head straight to the pinned spot.

Why it’s worth it:

Saves time — no more retyping long addresses.
Makes rides smoother by showing the driver exactly where to pick you up.
Reduces confusion in crowded or tricky locations.
Ensures faster pickups on the right side of the street, building, entrance, or gate.

With saved locations and precise pins, you’ll spend less time fiddling with addresses and get going sooner.

Share your live location and get picked up right where you stand.

Even if your address is specific, the map isn’t always perfect. That’s where Live Location Sharing comes in.

How to use it:

Allow your Bolt app to share your location while using it, and the driver will see your exact location in real time when they’re about to arrive.

What you gain:

Drivers can find you more accurately, even if you’re in a crowded area.
Fewer back-and-forth calls and missed connections.
You’ll get picked up at your exact location, on the right side of the building or the street.
A faster, safer pickup for both you and the driver.

3. Add a profile picture

Help your driver recognise you instantly.

Adding a profile photo in the Bolt app isn’t just a personal touch — it’s a practical way to help drivers identify you quickly, especially in busy pickup zones.

Why it matters:

Your photo appears on the driver’s app as they approach.
It reduces confusion and makes pickups faster and safer.
Great for busy areas, like event venues, malls, or airports.

Your photo is only visible to your driver during pickup, and only for that specific ride.

Upload a profile pic in the app settings — it only takes a minute!

4. Schedule rides in advance

Plan ahead. Stay on time.

Need to arrive at a specific time? With Scheduled Rides, you can book a car in advance and know a driver will be there when you need one.

Why it’s handy:

Perfect for early flights, important meetings, or busy weekends.
Guarantees a driver being available right when you need them.
Reduces uncertainty during high-demand hours.
Includes extra free waiting time for a smoother pickup.

You can schedule rides in two ways:

Start with the destination. Enter your destination, tap the calendar icon, enter the ride date and time, and tap ‘Schedule Bolt’.
Start with the details. Tap the ‘Later’ button, add ride details, and tap the ‘Schedule Bolt’ button.

5. Choose a Priority ride

Skip the queue and get picked up first.

When you can’t afford to wait, Priority puts you at the front of the line for a ride, so you’ll be picked up sooner.

Why it’s a lifesaver:

Ideal for time-sensitive rides, such as airport transfers or important appointments.
Available 24/7, so you can count on it anytime.
Adds peace of mind when every minute counts.

How to try it:

Simply select the Priority option in the app when selecting your ride type — you’ll be on the move soon.

Smarter routing behind the scenes

Bolt is upgrading the tech so your rides keep getting smoother.

Your pickup experience doesn’t just depend on what you do in the app — it also relies on the technology that powers every ride. That’s why Bolt has partnered with TomTom, one of the world’s leading navigation providers, to make routing smarter and arrival times more reliable.

With this upgrade, drivers can reach you more easily, arrival estimates are already up to 15% more accurate, and you spend less time waiting.

This is just one example of how Bolt is constantly improving what happens in the background, so your rides keep getting faster, smoother, and easier.

Every second counts, and Bolt is working on it

A great ride starts with a great pickup. Whether it’s more intelligent routing, clearer visibility, or planning ahead, these features are designed to help you get picked up faster and start your trip smoothly.

Try these tips on your next Bolt ride and experience the difference a few simple actions can make.

5 Bolt hacks to get picked up faster

Need a ride?

Recent posts

Bolt and Stellantis to scale autonomous vehicles in Europe