How to Use Didi in China (2026): The Foreigner-Friendly Guide
Getting around Chinese cities without speaking Mandarin sounds intimidating. But thanks to Didi — China’s dominant ride-hailing app — it doesn’t have to be. You can book a car from your phone, see the price upfront, and pay without fumbling for cash or trying to explain your destination in a language you don’t speak.
This guide covers everything: setting up the app, booking your first ride, understanding the different car types, and dealing with the problems foreigners actually run into.
What Is Didi?
Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is China’s answer to Uber. In fact, Didi bought Uber’s China operations back in 2016, so it’s effectively a monopoly — commanding over 90% of the ride-hailing market in China. If you want to book a car from your phone in China, Didi is the app.
Think of it as Uber or Lyft, but tailored for the Chinese market. You open the app, enter your destination, choose a car type, and a driver comes to pick you up. The route and fare are calculated automatically, and you pay through the app. No cash, no negotiation, no misunderstandings about where you’re going.
Key facts:
- Available in all major Chinese cities (and hundreds of smaller ones)
- Has a full English interface — one of the few Chinese apps that does
- Accepts payment via Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Operates 24/7, though availability drops late at night in smaller cities
- Over 15 million active drivers across China
Why You Need Didi as a Tourist
You might think, “I’ll just hail a regular taxi.” You can try, but here’s why most foreigners end up relying on Didi:
Taxis are hard to hail. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, taxis during rush hour are nearly impossible to flag down. They’re either occupied or they drive right past you. During rainy days? Forget it.
The language barrier is real. Even if you grab a taxi, the driver almost certainly doesn’t speak English. You’ll need to communicate your destination in Chinese — and if you mispronounce a tone, they won’t understand you. With Didi, the driver sees your destination on their screen with a built-in navigation route. No conversation needed.
Uber doesn’t work in China. Uber pulled out of mainland China in 2016. The app simply doesn’t function there. Don’t count on it.
Price transparency. Street taxis sometimes take the “scenic route” with foreign passengers, or their meters are conveniently broken. Didi shows the estimated fare before you book and the final fare is calculated by GPS. No surprises.
Digital receipts. Every Didi ride generates a receipt in the app. Handy for expense reports or just keeping track of spending.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Get this done before you arrive in China. Everything works smoother when you set it up at home with your regular internet connection.
Step 1: Download the Didi App
Search for “DiDi” in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Make sure you download the official app by “Beijing Xiaoju Technology Co., Ltd.”
The app is available worldwide — you don’t need to be in China to download it.
Note: Once you’re inside China, Google Play doesn’t work without a VPN. Download the app before your trip.
Step 2: Register with Your Foreign Phone Number
Open the app and tap Sign Up. You can register with:
- Your non-Chinese mobile phone number (US, UK, Australian, etc.)
- Your email address
Didi will send a verification code via SMS or email. Enter the code, create a password, and you’re in.
Tip: Make sure your phone can receive international SMS. If you’re switching to a China eSIM before departure, register with your home number first while it still works.
Step 3: Set the Language to English
This should happen automatically if your phone’s system language is English. If it doesn’t:
- Tap the profile icon (top left)
- Go to Settings
- Tap Language
- Select English
The entire interface — including ride options, driver info, fare estimates, and receipts — switches to English.
Step 4: Link Your Payment Method
Didi does not accept foreign credit cards directly. You need to pay through either Alipay or WeChat Pay.
- In the Didi app, tap the profile icon
- Go to Payment
- Link your Alipay account (recommended) or WeChat Pay account
Haven’t set up Alipay or WeChat Pay yet? Follow our complete payment setup guide — it walks you through linking your Visa or Mastercard to these platforms.
Important: Set up your payment method before your first ride. You don’t want to be scrambling to link accounts while a driver is waiting.
How to Book a Ride
Once you’re set up, booking is straightforward:
- Open Didi and make sure your GPS location is accurate (the blue dot on the map should be where you are)
- Tap “Where are you going?” at the top of the screen
- Enter your destination — you can type in English for major landmarks, hotels, and airports. For smaller locations, paste the Chinese name (more on this below)
- Choose your ride type (Express, Premier, or Taxi — see the comparison below)
- Tap “Confirm” to request a ride
- Wait for a driver to accept — usually takes 1-5 minutes in cities
- The app shows the driver’s name, car model, color, and license plate
- Meet the driver at the pickup point shown on the map
- Ride to your destination — the driver follows the in-app navigation
- Payment is automatic through your linked Alipay or WeChat Pay
Tips for Entering Chinese Addresses
This is the biggest challenge for foreigners. Here’s how to handle it:
For major destinations — airports, train stations, famous landmarks, popular hotels — just type in English. Didi recognizes “Shanghai Hongqiao Airport” or “The Bund” perfectly fine.
For smaller or local destinations, English searches may not work. You have three options:
- Copy and paste the Chinese name. Find it on Google Maps, your hotel booking confirmation, or a website. Copy the Chinese characters and paste them into Didi’s search bar.
- Use the map. Zoom into the Didi map, find your destination, and drop a pin on it.
- Ask your hotel. Hotel front desks are used to helping foreign guests. Ask them to type the destination into your Didi app or write down the Chinese address for you.
Pro tip: Before your trip, create a note on your phone with the Chinese names and addresses of all your planned destinations. This saves massive time.
Didi Ride Types Explained
When you enter a destination, Didi shows you several ride options. Here are the three you’ll actually use:
Express (快车) — Best for Most Trips
The standard option. A private car with a regular driver, similar to UberX. This is what you’ll use 90% of the time.
- Clean, modern cars (usually 1-3 years old)
- Cheapest Didi option
- Fastest to get matched with a driver
- Cars range from compact sedans to midsize
Premier (专车) — For Comfort or Airport Trips
The upgraded option. Higher-end vehicles, more experienced drivers, and better service. Think Uber Black or Uber Comfort.
- Nicer cars (Audi, BMW, Buick, etc.)
- More professional drivers
- About 1.5-2x the price of Express
- Worth it for airport runs, business meetings, or when you want a smoother ride
- Drivers are more likely to have basic English
Taxi (出租车) — Hailing a Regular Taxi via the App
This option calls a regular metered taxi to your location through the Didi platform. The fare follows the standard taxi meter rate.
- Same cars as street taxis (typically a Volkswagen Santana or similar)
- Metered fare — same as hailing one on the street
- Useful when Express prices surge
- Not always available — depends on how many taxi drivers use the app in that city
Price Comparison: Didi vs Taxi vs Subway
To give you a sense of costs, here are approximate fares for common trips in Shanghai:
| Route | Didi Express | Regular Taxi | Subway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pudong Airport → City Center | ¥150-180 (~$21-25) | ¥160-200 (~$22-28) | ¥7 (~$1) — 45 min |
| Hotel → The Bund (5 km) | ¥18-25 (~$2.50-3.50) | ¥20-30 (~$3-4) | ¥3-4 (~$0.50) — 20 min |
| Cross-city trip (15 km) | ¥45-65 (~$6-9) | ¥50-75 (~$7-10) | ¥5-6 (~$0.70) — 40 min |
| Short hop (2 km) | ¥12-16 (~$1.70-2.20) | ¥14-18 (~$2-2.50) | ¥3 (~$0.40) — 15 min |
Key takeaways:
- Didi Express is usually 10-20% cheaper than a street taxi for the same route
- The subway is dramatically cheaper but slower and doesn’t go everywhere
- For airport transfers, Didi and taxis cost about the same, but Didi is more convenient
- All of these prices are very affordable compared to ride-hailing in Western countries
Note: Prices vary by city. Beijing and Shanghai are the most expensive. Cities like Chengdu, Xi’an, and Kunming are noticeably cheaper.
Pro Tips for Foreigners Using Didi
These tips come from hard-won experience. They’ll save you time and frustration.
Screenshot Your Destination in Chinese Characters
Before each ride, screenshot the Chinese name and address of your destination. If a driver calls you (they often do), you can show the screenshot to a nearby local and ask them to speak with the driver. This solves 90% of communication problems.
Use the “Share Trip” Feature
Tap “Share Trip” after your ride starts. It sends a real-time link to someone so they can track your ride on a map. Useful for letting your travel partner know where you are — and it’s a good safety habit.
Always Verify the License Plate
When a car pulls up, check that the license plate matches what the app shows before getting in. This is standard safety practice, just like with Uber. The plate number is displayed prominently in the app after a driver accepts your ride.
Watch Out for Rush Hour Surge Pricing
Like Uber, Didi uses surge pricing during peak demand. Expect higher prices:
- Weekday mornings: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- Weekday evenings: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Rainy days: Prices can spike 1.5-2x
- Holidays: Chinese New Year, National Day (Oct 1-7), and other major holidays
The app shows you the surge multiplier before you confirm. If it’s too high, wait 15-20 minutes or take the subway instead.
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is not expected or customary in China — for taxis, Didi, restaurants, or anything else. Drivers don’t expect tips and many will be confused if you try to hand them cash.
That said, Didi does have an optional in-app tipping feature after the ride ends. You can tip a few yuan if the driver was especially helpful. But there is zero social pressure to do so.
Use the “Scheduled Ride” Feature for Airport Trips
For early morning flights, book a Didi the night before using the “Scheduled Ride” option. You set the pickup time, and a driver is assigned in advance. This is much more reliable than trying to hail a ride at 5 AM.
Pin Your Hotel as a Saved Location
As soon as you arrive at your hotel, save its address in Didi under “Home” or “Favorites.” This way, no matter where you are in the city, you can always get back with one tap — no searching required.
Common Problems and Solutions
”The driver called me and I can’t understand them”
This is the most common issue. Drivers often call after accepting a ride to confirm the pickup location. You have a few options:
- Let it ring — most drivers will just come to the GPS pin location
- Answer and say “Wǒ zài zhèlǐ” (我在这里) — meaning “I am here”
- Use Didi’s in-app messaging — there are pre-translated quick messages like “I’m at the pickup point” and “Please wait, I’m coming”
- Ask a nearby local to answer the phone and explain where you are
”The driver can’t find me”
Chinese addresses can be confusing, and GPS can drift near tall buildings. Try:
- Walk to the nearest main road — don’t wait inside a mall or alley
- Look for the driver’s car on the map and walk toward it
- Use the in-app chat to send your exact location pin
- Stand near a recognizable landmark (convenience store, building entrance)
“My payment didn’t go through”
- Make sure your Alipay or WeChat Pay has sufficient balance or a linked card
- Check that your foreign card hasn’t been blocked for international transactions — notify your bank before traveling
- Try switching to your other payment method (swap Alipay for WeChat Pay or vice versa)
- As a last resort, ask the driver if you can pay cash — some will accept it, though they’re not required to
”No drivers available”
This happens in smaller cities or very late at night. Solutions:
- Wait and try again in a few minutes
- Switch to Taxi mode — regular taxi drivers might be available even when private car drivers aren’t
- Try the Amap/Gaode taxi feature as an alternative (see below)
- Walk to a busier street or area — drivers are more likely to accept rides with convenient pickup locations
”The fare seems too high”
- Check if surge pricing is active (displayed on the booking screen)
- Compare with the estimated fare shown before you booked — if the final fare is significantly higher, you can dispute it in the app
- Make sure the driver didn’t take a detour — check the route in your ride history
Alternatives to Didi
Didi is the go-to app, but it’s not your only option.
Amap / Gaode Taxi (高德打车)
Amap (also called Gaode Maps) is China’s most popular navigation app, and it has a built-in ride-hailing feature that aggregates cars from multiple platforms — including some Didi competitors. It sometimes finds cars when Didi can’t, and prices can occasionally be lower.
The downside: the interface is mostly in Chinese, making it trickier for foreigners. But if you can paste a Chinese destination address, it works well.
Regular Street Taxis
Still an option, especially for short trips:
- How to hail: Stand on a main road and raise your hand when you see a taxi with its light on (green light = available)
- Pros: No app needed, no payment setup required (cash accepted), available everywhere
- Cons: Language barrier, possible meter scams, hard to find during rush hour, driver might refuse your destination
- Tip: Have your destination written in Chinese characters to show the driver
Subway / Metro
For budget travelers, the subway is unbeatable:
- Available in all major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, etc.)
- Extremely cheap (¥3-10 per ride)
- Fast and avoids traffic
- Signs and announcements in English
- Pay with Alipay by scanning at the gate
- Check our essential apps guide for navigation apps that include metro maps
City Buses
Very cheap (¥1-2 per ride), but hard for foreigners to navigate — routes and signs are almost entirely in Chinese. Use the metro instead unless you’re feeling adventurous.
Safety Tips
Didi is generally very safe — millions of rides happen every day across China with no issues. But standard precautions still apply:
- Always check the license plate, car model, and driver photo before getting in
- Share your trip with someone you trust
- Sit in the back seat — this is standard practice in China anyway
- Don’t fall asleep on long rides, especially late at night
- Trust your instincts — if something feels off, cancel the ride or ask to be dropped off
- Didi has an in-app emergency button — tap it if you ever feel unsafe, and it connects you directly with emergency services and Didi’s safety team
- All Didi drivers undergo background checks and their trips are GPS-tracked and recorded
- Late night rides (between 10 PM and 6 AM) automatically activate additional safety features, including audio recording of the trip
For more on staying safe in China, check out our guide on whether China is safe for tourists.
Quick Reference Card
Save this on your phone for easy reference during your trip:
| Details | |
|---|---|
| App name | DiDi (滴滴出行) |
| English support | Yes — full English interface |
| Payment | Alipay or WeChat Pay (no foreign cards directly) |
| Best ride type | Express (快车) for everyday use |
| Tip for drivers | Not expected, optional in-app |
| Airport rides | Use “Scheduled Ride” for early flights |
| Emergency | In-app emergency button available |
Next Steps
Now that you know how to get around by car, make sure the rest of your China trip tech is sorted:
- Best Apps for Traveling in China — The other essential apps you need beyond Didi, including navigation, translation, and booking platforms
- How to Pay in China as a Foreigner — Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your foreign card, which you’ll need for Didi payments
- Best eSIM for China — You need reliable internet to use Didi. Get an eSIM sorted before you arrive
Didi takes the stress out of getting around Chinese cities. Download it, set it up at home, and you’ll be riding around like a local from day one.
Last updated: February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Didi and how does it work in China?
Didi (滴滴) is China's #1 ride-hailing app, similar to Uber. Download the app, enter your destination in English, pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay, and your driver arrives in 3-5 minutes in most cities.
Is Didi cheaper than taxis in China?
Didi prices are similar to regular taxis but often cheaper for longer trips. The app prevents common tourist scams like meter tampering or scenic detours. Express rides cost about 2-4 RMB/km.