How to Use DiDi (China's Uber) as a Foreigner

DiDi (滴滴出行) is China’s dominant ride-hailing app — think Uber, but bigger. As of 2026, the international version accepts foreign Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards, has full English interface, and operates in 400+ Chinese cities including every tourist destination. Average fare from Beijing Capital Airport to the city center: ¥150–200 (~$21–28). The same trip in a metered taxi is ¥120–180 but you need a working Chinese SIM, cash or a working Alipay, and the willingness to deal with a driver who doesn’t speak English.

DiDi is the easiest way to get around China for foreigners. This guide covers the full setup, payment options, and the specific quirks that come up at airports and train stations.

Why DiDi beats taxis for foreigners

Four reasons:

1. English interface. DiDi’s international version is fully in English, with English driver chat (auto-translate), English map, English fare display.
2. No language barrier at the car. The driver sees your destination on their screen, the app handles the navigation. You don’t need to say anything except hi.
3. Fare is fixed upfront. Unlike metered taxis, the app shows the price before you book. No “tourist pricing” risk, no meter manipulation, no “I don’t have change” scam.
4. Cashless payment. Your linked card is charged automatically. You don’t need to wrestle with mobile payment or cash at the end of the ride.

The downsides: at peak hours (Friday evening, rain, rush hour), surge pricing can 1.5–2.5x the base fare. Airport pickup may have a small surcharge. Some remote areas have few drivers. And the 4-minute wait time can stretch to 10+ during bad weather.

Setting up DiDi (5 minutes)

Step 1: Download the international version

There are two DiDi apps:

• DiDi (the Chinese version): For Chinese phone numbers. The icon is orange.
• DiDi - Rider, for international travelers: English interface, accepts international cards, foreign phone number. The icon is white with a blue DiDi logo.

Make sure to download the second one. In the App Store or Google Play, search “DiDi” and pick the one labeled “for international” or with the blue logo. The Chinese version won’t let you register with a foreign phone number.

Source: China Guidelines DiDi guide.

Step 2: Register

Open the app, tap Sign Up. You can register with:

• Phone number (foreign numbers work in 200+ countries)
• Google account
• Apple ID
• Facebook
• WeChat

Phone number is the most reliable. The app sends a 6-digit verification code via SMS. Standard SMS rates from your carrier apply; if you have international roaming or an eSIM data plan, this is free.

Step 3: Add a payment method

In Me → Wallet → Payment Methods, you can add:

• Visa / Mastercard / American Express — direct binding via 3-D Secure. The first transaction triggers a one-time password.
• Alipay — if you have Alipay set up, this is the easiest payment (see Alipay for foreigners).
• WeChat Pay — similar to Alipay.
• Apple Pay / Google Pay — works in some markets, less reliable in China.

For most foreign users, add a Visa or Mastercard credit card as primary, and Alipay/WeChat Pay as backup. International credit cards work in 90%+ of rides.

Step 4: Set your language

The app’s default language is whatever your phone’s region is set to. If you downloaded the international version, it should be in English by default. If not: Me → Settings → Language → English.

Step 5: Set your home and work addresses (optional but recommended)

In Me → Settings → Saved Places, add your hotel address in Chinese characters. This saves you from typing it every ride. If you don’t read Chinese, copy-paste from the hotel’s confirmation email — they always include the Chinese name.

Booking a ride

The booking screen has:

• Where to? (destination field at the top)
• From: (current location, set by default to your GPS)
• Service type (Express, Premier, Taxi, etc.)
• Payment method (your linked card, displayed)

To book:

1. Tap the Where to? field
2. Type your destination in English (“Beijing South Railway Station” or “北京南站” if you have the Chinese) or select from recent destinations
3. The app shows service options with estimated prices and arrival times
4. Pick the option that matches your priority (cheapest, fastest, largest car)
5. Confirm pickup point if needed (defaults to your current GPS)
6. Tap Confirm or Book

The driver accepts within 10–30 seconds usually. You see their name, photo, car model, plate number, and rating. The app shows the car moving toward you on the map in real time.

Reading the license plate and car

Chinese license plates are blue (private cars) or green (new energy vehicles) with a Chinese character at the front indicating the province, then a letter for the city, then 5 alphanumeric characters. Example: 京A·12345 means Beijing (京), license type A (private).

When the car arrives, the driver may or may not get out. Look for:

• The plate number shown in the app
• The car model and color shown in the app
• Sometimes the driver’s name on a dashboard card

Verify the plate matches the app before getting in. If it doesn’t match, cancel and rebook (you won’t be charged for cancellation in the first 2 minutes).

During the ride

• Seatbelt: Recommended. Most drivers wear theirs; you should too.
• Phone calls: Don’t take calls in the car. It’s considered rude and the driver may cancel the ride.
• Music/smoking: Most drivers don’t smoke in the car. Some have Bluetooth music on by default. If you want silence, just say “no music” or “qing bu fang yin yue” (请不放音乐) — though they probably won’t understand you. Use the in-app chat (auto-translates).
• Stops mid-ride: Possible but complicated. Use it for one direct trip, not a multi-stop tour.
• Route deviation: DiDi drivers occasionally take a slightly different route than the app suggests, especially in cities with one-way streets. If the deviation is suspicious, you can tap “Share trip” to send your live location to a friend or family member.

Airport pickups: the specific process

Airport pickups are a DiDi specialty because they avoid the chaos of the taxi queue and the risk of unlicensed drivers. Each major Chinese airport has a designated ride-hailing pickup zone, usually on the arrivals level (一层 or 到达层).

Beijing Capital (PEK)

After collecting your bags, follow signs for “Taxi / Ride-hailing” (出租车/网约车). The pickup area is on the first floor of each terminal’s parking garage. Walk outside the arrivals hall, look for the “网约车” (ride-hailing) sign, and tap “I’m at the pickup point” in the app to ensure the driver comes to the right spot.

Beijing Daxing (PKX)

The ride-hailing area is in parking garage P1. Allow 10 minutes to walk from the gate to the pickup point.

Shanghai Pudong (PVG)

Ride-hailing pickup is at the designated zone on the arrivals level. Follow “出租车/网约车” signs.

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)

Connected to the metro, long-distance buses, and HSR. The DiDi pickup is on the B1 level of the arrivals hall.

Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)

Ride-hailing pickup is at the designated parking area on the first floor.

Source: China Guidelines DiDi airport guide.

General airport pickup tips

• DiDi at airports has a small surcharge (¥10–30) for the airport pickup zone fee.
• During peak hours (5–7 PM weekdays), surge pricing is significant. Wait 30 minutes if you can.
• The pickup point is sometimes a 5–10 minute walk from baggage claim. Allow for this.
• Drivers in the airport pickup zone may have a 5–10 minute wait between your booking and arrival because they queue in a holding lot.

Train station pickups

Same idea as airports. Each major HSR station has a designated ride-hailing pickup zone, usually marked “网约车” or “网约车上客区”.

Beijing South Station: Look for the ride-hailing zone on the south side, accessible via exit from the arrivals hall.

Shanghai Hongqiao: Connected directly to the HSR station. The DiDi pickup is on the B1 level.

Guangzhou South: Ride-hailing pickup is at the east square.

For smaller stations, the pickup may just be a small curb with a DiDi sign. Ask any station attendant or the security guard at the exit.

Fares and surge pricing

Average DiDi fares in 2026:

Trip	Estimated fare (USD)
Airport → city center (tier-1)	$20–30
Airport → city center (tier-2)	$10–20
Within city center (5 km)	$3–6
Across city center (15 km)	$8–15
HSR station → hotel	$5–12

Surge multipliers: 1.2x to 2.5x during peak. Major surge events: 5–7 PM weekdays, weekend nights, public holidays, heavy rain, snow.

The fare shown in the app is the fare you’ll pay. The meter doesn’t run after pickup.

When DiDi isn’t the best choice

Late night in residential areas

Between midnight and 5 AM, DiDi drivers are scarce. In some cities, you can’t get a DiDi at all between 2–5 AM. Pre-book a regular taxi instead, or stay near a hotel with a 24-hour taxi queue.

During heavy rain

Demand spikes 3–4x. Surge is brutal. Consider waiting 20–30 minutes for prices to drop, or use a metro if your hotel is near a station.

Going to airports

DiDi at airports is great in the morning but expensive in the evening. If your hotel is near a metro line that goes to the airport, the metro is 1/10 the price. For example, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station connects directly to both Hongqiao Airport and Shanghai’s metro network.

Going to restricted zones

Some areas of Beijing (near Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City) and other cities have restrictions on ride-hailing drop-off. The driver will ask you to walk the last 100–200 meters.

Payment troubleshooting

• Card declined: Most common cause is your bank blocking international transactions. Call your bank before you leave. Also check that 3-D Secure (one-time password) is enabled.
• Charged twice: Rare but possible. DiDi’s support team refunds duplicates within 3–5 business days. Contact through the in-app chat.
• Wrong currency: DiDi charges in CNY (¥) and your card converts to your home currency. Some cards offer wholesale rate; others add a 1–3% foreign transaction fee. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for best results.
• Alipay/WeChat Pay preferred: Drivers in some cities (Hangzhou, Shenzhen) prefer mobile payment. They don’t need to do anything — the payment is automatic through the app.

DiDi vs alternatives

Option	Pros	Cons
DiDi Express	Cheap, easy, English	Surge pricing, can be hard to find at peak
DiDi Premier	Larger cars, English-speaking drivers sometimes	30–50% more expensive
DiDi Taxi	Real metered taxi, no surge	Older cars, less English support, drivers may try cash
Metered taxi (street hail)	Available everywhere, no app needed	Cash required, language barrier, no fixed price
Metro	¥3–10 flat fare, no surge	Limited hours, doesn’t reach some hotels
Public bus	¥2 flat	Slow, route knowledge required, no English

For most situations, DiDi Express is the right choice. The exception is when you need to go somewhere the metro covers more directly, or when surge is over 2x and a taxi would be cheaper.

Safety

DiDi is generally safe. The app tracks every ride, shares your live location with emergency contacts if you tap the button, and drivers are licensed. Reports of incidents are rare.

For extra safety:

• Share your trip: Tap the share icon, send live location to a friend or family member.
• Verify the driver: Plate number, car model, and driver photo must match the app.
• Sit in the back seat: Standard practice, especially as a foreigner.
• Trust your gut: If something feels off, end the ride at the nearest safe public place and call support through the app.

DiDi’s in-app emergency button connects directly to 110 (Chinese police). For English-speaking emergency support, the China-based 12345 government hotline has English operators in major cities.

For the rest of the transit picture, see high-speed rail booking, China metro, and domestic flights.