How to Use DiDi in China as a Foreigner

DiDi is China's dominant ride-hailing app — think Uber, but bigger and cheaper. For foreign travelers, it solves the biggest taxi problem in China: drivers who do not speak English and cannot read your destination. With the English interface and Alipay payment, DiDi is often easier than hailing a street taxi.

Download and Register

1. Download DiDi (orange icon) from the App Store or Google Play before you leave home.
2. Register with your foreign phone number — SMS verification usually works with home-country numbers.
3. Switch to English: Profile → Settings (gear icon) → Language → English.
4. Link Alipay as your payment method (Profile → Payment → Alipay). You must have Alipay set up with an international card first — see our Alipay guide.

Booking a Ride

On the home screen, enter your destination in English — DiDi translates it automatically. Confirm your pickup pin on the map (GPS is usually accurate in cities). Select a ride type:

• Express (快车): Standard private car — the option most tourists want.
• Premier (专车): Higher-end cars, roughly 30–50% more expensive.
• Taxi (出租车): Hails a licensed metered taxi through the app.

Tap "Request" and wait 2–5 minutes. The app shows the driver's name, plate number, car color, and estimated arrival time. You can message the driver in-app (auto-translated) if needed.

During and After the Ride

Verify the plate number matches the app before getting in — standard safety practice. Most drivers will not speak English; show your phone with the destination if needed. Payment is automatic via Alipay when the ride ends — no cash exchange. Tipping is not expected.

Airport pickups work well: search for your terminal (e.g., "Beijing Capital Airport T3") and follow the app's pickup-point instructions. Allow extra time at large airports — designated DiDi pickup zones can be a 5–10 minute walk from arrivals.

Common Problems

Driver cancels: Common during rush hour or rain. Re-request; another driver usually accepts within minutes.

Wrong pickup pin: Drag the pin to your exact location (hotel entrance, not the middle of the block). Hotels with confusing entrances are the #1 source of missed pickups.

Payment fails: Ensure Alipay has sufficient balance or a working linked card. Tour Pass balance may need topping up.

No English address found: Ask your hotel to write the Chinese address in your phone notes, or screenshot the hotel's location on Baidu Maps and show the driver.

Airport Transfers with DiDi, Step by Step

Your first ride will usually be from the airport, so it helps to know the flow. After you clear customs and connect to data, open DiDi and search your terminal as the pickup point (for example "Shanghai Pudong Airport T2"). The app then shows a specific pickup zone — at big airports this is often on a dedicated ride-hailing level in the car park, a 5–10 minute walk from arrivals, with numbered bays. Request the ride, note your bay number, and walk there while the driver approaches. Match the plate before getting in. Because payment is automatic through Alipay, there is no fumbling for cash at the end of a long flight. Allow a little extra time at peak hours, when drivers can be scarce.

Other DiDi Options Worth Knowing

DiDi is more than private cars. Within the app you can often book a designated driver (someone who drives your own or a rental car), ride-pooling for a cheaper shared trip, and in some cities bike and scooter rentals for short hops. For groups or lots of luggage, look for larger-vehicle options. You can also schedule a ride in advance, useful for an early-morning train or flight when you cannot risk waiting on demand. Fares are estimated up front, so you always see the price before you commit.

DiDi vs. Street Taxis vs. Metro

DiDi is not always the best option for every trip. Here is how the three main ways to get around a Chinese city compare for a foreign visitor:

Street taxis are fine in Shanghai and Beijing, but drivers rarely speak English and a few refuse foreign passengers or "forget" the meter. DiDi eliminates haggling, records the route, and handles payment automatically. The metro is unbeatable for value and dodging traffic. For late-night rides, airport transfers, and anywhere with luggage, DiDi is the safer, more predictable choice.

Conclusion

Set up DiDi and Alipay before your flight. On arrival, your first DiDi ride from the airport to your hotel will confirm everything works, and you will wonder how anyone travels China without it. Pair it with a local map app so you can sanity-check routes.