How to use DiDi in English.
DiDi is China's Uber — and the easiest way for a tourist to get a taxi, because you enter your destination on a map and never need a word of Mandarin. Here's how to set it up and pay with a foreign card.
DiDi solves the taxi language barrier completely. You type or pin your destination on a map, the driver gets it automatically, and payment is taken from your card at the end — no cash, no haggling, no being driven the long way.
It has a full English interface, works with foreign cards, and you don't even need to download it if you already have Alipay or WeChat. Here's how.
Three ways to use DiDi
You have a choice — pick whichever fits how you've set up your phone for China:
- The DiDi app — download it and switch to English in settings. Register with a foreign phone number for the verification code.
- Inside Alipay — open the DiDi / "Transport" mini-program in Alipay. No separate download or registration; you pay through Alipay.
- Inside WeChat — the same idea via the DiDi mini-program in WeChat. Handy if WeChat is already your main app.
For most visitors, hailing DiDi inside Alipay is the path of least resistance — you've already linked a card there for paying, so rides just work.
Paying with a foreign card
DiDi accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard. Either link your card directly in the DiDi app, or — simpler — let Alipay or WeChat Pay handle it when you hail the ride there. Set up Alipay with a foreign card before you fly and payment is automatic at the end of every trip.
Because you set the destination on the map, the driver already knows where you're going. If you need to communicate, DiDi has in-app translation for messages. You rarely need to say a word.
Before you arrive: two things to sort
DiDi only works if two things are already in place when you land. Sort both before you fly and you'll be hailing a ride from the arrivals hall:
- Mobile data. DiDi needs a data connection to load the map and book — and your home SIM may not work or may roam expensively. A travel eSIM gets you online the moment you land, and as a bonus it routes outside the Great Firewall so Google Maps works too. Airalo has China-ready eSIMs from $4.50 — install it before departure. See our internet & eSIM guide for the full setup.
- A payment method. Link a foreign card in DiDi, or pay through Alipay — set that up before you fly too.
If you'd rather not hail a DiDi after a long flight — especially late at night or with lots of luggage — you can pre-book a private transfer or a chartered car with a guaranteed driver. Two easy options in English with foreign-card checkout: an airport transfer on Trip.com → or a chartered car on Klook → (great for a full day with stops). For everything else in the city, DiDi is cheaper.
Why DiDi over a street taxi
- Cheaper, fixed pricing. The fare is set upfront and usually lower than a metered street taxi.
- No overcharging. The route is recorded by GPS, so there's no "scenic route" risk.
- A record of the trip. Driver, car, plate and route are logged — useful if you leave something behind or there's a dispute.
- No cash needed. Everything settles through your card or Alipay.
Before you get in, check the car and plate match what the app shows. DiDi displays the driver's details before pickup. If travelling alone at night, share your trip from inside the app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use DiDi in English?
Yes. DiDi (China’s equivalent of Uber) has a full English interface. You can use the standalone DiDi app, or hail a ride inside the Alipay or WeChat mini-programs without a separate download. You enter your destination on a map, so there is no language barrier with the driver.
How do I pay for DiDi as a foreigner?
Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard inside the DiDi app, or pay through Alipay or WeChat Pay if you hail the ride there. Payment is automatic at the end of the trip — no cash, no haggling. Setting up Alipay with a foreign card before you arrive is the smoothest route.
Is DiDi cheaper than a taxi in China?
Usually, yes. DiDi fares are typically lower than street taxis and the price is set upfront, so there is no risk of being overcharged or taking a longer route. You also get a record of the trip and driver, which is useful if anything goes wrong.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use DiDi?
You can register the standalone DiDi app with a foreign phone number to receive the verification code. If that fails, hailing DiDi inside Alipay or WeChat avoids a separate registration entirely — you are already verified through those apps.
Is DiDi safe for tourists in China?
Yes. DiDi shows the driver’s name, car and plate before pickup, tracks the route by GPS, and keeps a trip record. It is widely used and generally considered safe. Standard precautions apply: check the plate matches before getting in, and share your trip if travelling alone at night.
Last verified 11 June 2026. App features can change; confirm in-app when you travel.
- DiDiDiDi — English app, in-app translation & foreign-card payment.
- DESKCathayGuide editorial team — DiDi tested via app and Alipay mini-program.
Affiliate disclosure — the eSIM, Trip.com and Klook links on this page may earn us a commission, at no cost to you. They never change the DiDi guidance above. Read the full policy.