After customs and baggage claim, you walk into the arrivals area. Look up: almost every US airport has overhead signs for Ground Transportation. Follow them. Every option below starts from a marked place.
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft): you order a car in an app. At most airports, cars may only pick up in a special area. Signs say Ride App Pickup, Rideshare or App-Based Rides. It is often on a different floor or in a parking garage.
Taxi: go to the official Taxi stand and wait in the line. A staff member may call the next car for you.
Shared shuttle or hotel shuttle: some hotels send a free van. Find the hotel shuttle stop (signs say Hotel Shuttles or Courtesy Shuttles) and call the hotel if you do not see it.
Train or bus: many big airports connect to the city train or bus system. Follow signs for Train, Rail, Transit or Public Transportation. This is usually the cheapest choice.
Rental car: follow signs for Rental Cars. At many airports, a free bus or small train takes you to a separate rental car center.
Ordering a rideshare at the airport
Connect to the free airport Wi-Fi if your US phone plan is not working yet.
Open Uber or Lyft and type your address.
The app asks which terminal or door you are at. Choose it.
Read the walking directions in the app to the pickup zone, and walk there before the car arrives.
Check the license plate number on the car against the app before you get in.
Accepting a ride from a person who walks up to you in the arrivals hall and says "Taxi?" These are not official drivers. Use only the taxi stand or an app.
Waiting at the curb outside the door for a rideshare. Drivers usually cannot stop there. Go to the marked pickup zone.
Not checking the price first. The app shows the price before you order. Taxis use a meter, and some airports post a flat rate to the city center at the taxi stand.
Forgetting airport fees. Airport trips by app or taxi often include an extra airport fee.
A good plan for your first day
If you are tired and have many bags, a rideshare or taxi straight to your door is the simplest choice. If you travel light and the airport has a train, it can cost much less. Write your address on paper too, in case your phone battery dies.