The Summer Uber Driver Playbook: How to Earn More Across Australia this Silly Season
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Summer is the biggest earning season of the year for Uber drivers in Australia. School holidays, beach days, shopping surges, major concerts and warm-weather tourism all create strong demand across December, January and February.
This playbook outlines the practical strategies, tools and resources you need to plan your hours, choose the right Uber categories, stay vehicle-ready and make the most of summer’s earning potential.
1. Use City “What’s On” Calendars to Plan Your Week
Summer is full of concerts, festivals, sporting fixtures, Christmas attractions, outdoor movies and tourist events. These drive major demand spikes day and night.
Use local event calendars to stay ahead:
Sydney: City of Sydney – What’s On
Melbourne: What’s On Melbourne
Brisbane: Visit Brisbane – Events
Gold Coast: Gold Coast Events
Perth: Visit Perth
Adelaide: South Australia Events Calendar
Canberra: Visit Canberra – Events
Tip: Add these websites to your bookmarks and check them daily.
2. Track Airport Arrivals for Reliable Summer Demand
Airport travel is at its highest during the summer holidays. Tracking arrival times helps you position yourself for back-to-back trips or longer airport-to-city rides.
Use these real-time resources:
Sydney Airport Live Arrivals
Melbourne Airport App
Brisbane Airport Live Updates
Perth Airport Arrivals
Airport demand typically peaks in the early morning (5:30–9 am), midday (11 am–2 pm), and evening (6–10 pm), with the highest traffic occurring from Friday to Monday and during the start and end of school holidays.
3. Choose the Right Uber Category at the Right Time
Choosing the right category can significantly boost earnings, especially during summer when trip types change throughout the day.
| Time | Best Categories | Why? |
| 10am to 4pm | UberX, Uber Electric | Retail trips, beach visits and short ride requests |
| 4pm to 8pm | Uber Comfort. Uber Electric | Dinner bookings, family outings and pre-event travel |
| 8pm to 2am | Uber Comfort, Uber Black | Nightlife, concerts and major events |
| Weekends | Uber XL, Uber Comfort | Family outings, airport travel and beach groups |
Across summer, you’ll notice clear trip patterns: XL demand increases as families travel together, Comfort surges most in the evenings, Electric remains popular for short inner-city trips, and Black sees strong spikes around premium dining venues and major events.
4. Prepare Your Car for Summer Conditions
Hot days and long trips mean your car needs to be in top condition.
Air Conditioning: A cool, comfortable cabin is essential during hot Australian summers, riders expect it, especially after the beach or long shopping days. Strong AC performance leads to better ratings and smoother trips. Here's your top tips on how to get the most out of your aircon system
Tyres, Brakes & Fluids: Heat, heavy traffic and high trip volumes can cause faster wear on tyres and brakes, and low fluids can lead to mechanical issues. Staying on top of these checks reduces your risk of breakdowns and keeps you earning through the peak season. Splend members can conveniently book their routine summer check-ups.
EV Charging Optimisation: For EV drivers, planning your charging strategy is key to controlling running costs. Summer demand patterns create ideal opportunities to charge during off-peak hours and maximise range efficiency. Smart charging means lower expenses and more time on the road earning.
5. Use Splend Support to Stay Ahead All Summer
Splend members have access to dedicated tools, guidance and resources designed to help you earn more throughout the busy summer season. Make the most of everything available to you:
Visit your local Hub: Your central resource for driving tips, how-to videos and tools to improve your daily earnings.
Seasonal vehicle check-ups: Keep your car running smoothly with regular summer health checks.
Vehicle upgrade options: Explore EV, hybrid and premium rideshare vehicles if you’re looking to increase your earning potential this summer.
Leveraging these tools and support services ensures you stay on the road, stay protected, and stay ahead of seasonal demand.
Set Yourself Up for a Strong Summer on the Road
Australia’s summer is full of opportunity. With more people travelling, shopping, going out, and enjoying the warm weather, Uber demand naturally increases — but planning is everything.
By tracking events, using airport tools, choosing the right Uber category, and keeping your vehicle summer-ready, you can maximise every shift and make the most of this high-earning season.
Splend is here to help you every step of the way.