How to use DiDi in China.
Foreign visitors can order through the DiDi-Greater China app, Alipay or WeChat. The map handles the destination, but you still need the correct pickup zone, a working data connection and a confirmed payment method.
DiDi removes most destination and payment friction. You type or pin the destination, see the assigned car and keep a trip record. Pickup coordination can still require translated chat, a phone call or moving to a signed ride-hailing zone.
China’s official visitor guide documents three access routes: Alipay, WeChat and the DiDi-Greater China app. Choose the one you can verify before the first airport or station ride.
Open Transport, choose Taxi and authorise the service when prompted.
Use the marked ride-hailing zone, not the main taxi queue. The app shows the zone name.
Confirm the international card or wallet route before requesting pickup.
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 Transport, choose Taxi, set both locations and authorise the service when prompted. Payment uses the selected Alipay route.
- Inside WeChat — open Services, then Mobility or Ride Hailing. Account authorisation may still be required even though there is no separate app download.
For many visitors, Alipay is a convenient starting point because the payment wallet is already prepared. Keep the standalone DiDi-Greater China app as an alternative if you prefer a dedicated ride interface.
Paying with a foreign card
China’s official visitor guide says the DiDi-Greater China app supports international credit cards. If you order through Alipay or WeChat, that wallet controls the card eligibility and approval. Set up Alipay with a foreign card before the first ride, but keep a second payment option for issuer or wallet failures.
Airport and station pickup playbook
Follow the ride-hailing signs, then set the exact gate
Large airports separate app cars from taxis. Wait until you are near the signed pickup zone before ordering so the driver does not circle or cancel.
Use the exit name, not just the station name
Chinese stations are huge. Add “South Exit”, “East Square” or the mapped pickup point; the driver sees a precise pin and avoids the wrong side.
Drop the pin on the hotel driveway
English hotel names can map to a booking office or mall entrance. Zoom in and pin the front door before confirming.
Compare available service classes
Express, Taxi, Premier and other classes may differ by place and time. Compare the displayed wait, estimate and cancellation terms rather than assuming a premium class guarantees pickup.
The mapped destination handles most rides. Keep the hotel name and address in Chinese, and use the app’s translated messaging where available if the driver asks about a gate, landmark or pickup side.
Before you arrive: two things to sort
DiDi only works if two things are ready when you leave the arrival hall. Sort both before you are depending on airport Wi-Fi or roaming:
- Mobile data. DiDi needs a live connection for the pickup pin, driver chat and route tracking. Install and test your China data option before departure, then use the internet & eSIM guide if you need the wider blocked-site setup. Airalo lists China eSIM plans from $4.50.
- A payment method. Link a foreign card in DiDi, or pay through Alipay before you need to confirm the ride.
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.
When DiDi is easier than a street taxi
- A visible estimate. Review it before ordering, then check the final fare for tolls, waiting, route changes or demand pricing.
- A mapped route. The recorded journey adds transparency but does not guarantee that traffic or navigation will follow the shortest possible line.
- A record of the trip. Driver, car, plate and route are logged — useful if you leave something behind or there's a dispute.
- In-app settlement. A prepared international card or wallet usually removes the need to negotiate payment, but keep cash or another card as backup.
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. The official foreign-visitor guide documents the DiDi-Greater China app plus ride-hailing through Alipay and WeChat. The standalone app supports foreign mobile numbers and international credit cards. A mapped destination reduces language friction, while translated chat or a saved Chinese address helps when the pickup needs clarification.
How do I pay for DiDi as a foreigner?
The official visitor guide says the DiDi-Greater China app supports international credit cards. If you order through Alipay or WeChat, the wallet handles the payment route. Confirm the selected method before ordering and review the final fare after tolls, waiting time or route changes.
Is DiDi cheaper than a taxi in China?
Compare the displayed estimate with the local taxi option rather than assuming DiDi is always cheaper. The estimate can change because of demand, tolls, waiting, route changes or the selected service class. DiDi’s practical advantage is the mapped pickup, destination and trip record.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use DiDi?
The official visitor guide says the DiDi-Greater China app supports registration with a foreign mobile number. Alipay and WeChat provide alternative ride-hailing entry points, but either wallet may still request account authorisation or verification.
Is DiDi safe for tourists in China?
DiDi provides the assigned vehicle and trip record, but no transport method is risk-free. Match the plate and vehicle before entering, use the in-app contact and safety features available on your ride, and use a staffed official taxi queue if an airport pickup area feels unclear.
Updated 22 July 2026. The access and registration routes below come from current national visitor guidance; pickup zones, prices, payment prompts and ride classes remain live app data.
- OFFICIALChina’s official foreign-visitor guide — Alipay and WeChat ride-hailing paths plus DiDi-Greater China registration with a foreign mobile number and international credit card. english.www.gov.cn
- DiDiDiDi in-app screens — current pickup point, estimate, service class, safety tools and final fare for the individual ride.
- DESKCathayGuide editorial team — DiDi tested via app and Alipay mini-program.
Disclosure — some data, transfer and charter links here are commercial. DiDi setup advice, pickup guidance and safety checks are written independently. Read the ride-hailing disclosure.