How to Use DiDi in China: Ride-Hailing Guide for Foreign Tourists

If you are visiting China for the first time, using taxis can feel confusing, especially if you do not speak Chinese. DiDi is one of the easiest ways for foreign tourists to book a ride, check the fare, follow the driver on a map, and reach hotels, airports, train stations, and tourist attractions.

The good news is that foreign visitors can use DiDi in China without a Chinese phone number. According to the Chinese government's current guide for foreign travelers, the DiDi-Greater China app supports foreign mobile numbers and international credit cards. Visitors can also access ride-hailing services through Alipay and WeChat.

This guide explains how to set up DiDi, how to book your first ride, how to pay, what to do when a driver calls you in Chinese, and what to do if DiDi does not work as expected.

Yes. Foreign tourists can use DiDi in China.

You do not normally need a Chinese bank account or Chinese mobile number just to register for DiDi. The current Chinese government guide states that foreign travelers can register for the DiDi-Greater China app with a foreign mobile phone number and an international credit card.

There are three common ways for visitors to access DiDi:

Government travel guidance currently lists all three options for foreign travelers.

Before ordering your first ride, prepare these basic things:

• A smartphone with mobile internet

• A working foreign mobile number

• An international payment card or a supported mobile payment account

• Location services enabled

• Your hotel or destination address

Mobile internet is particularly important because DiDi needs your location to determine the pickup point and track the vehicle. If you are arriving in China without mobile data, consider setting up an eSIM or another internet option before leaving the airport.

For payment, foreign visitors can link international bank cards to supported Chinese mobile payment services. The Chinese government also recommends that travelers check the payment provider's current card brands, limits, and requirements because these can vary.

Search for the DiDi ride-hailing app in your phone's app store and make sure you are installing the China/Greater China service intended for use in China.

If you are traveling soon, it is a good idea to install and register the app before your flight. This gives you time to solve problems with phone verification or payment before you arrive.

You can also use DiDi through Alipay or WeChat if you already have one of these apps set up. Shanghai's official English travel guide confirms that DiDi can be accessed through WeChat and that the service can also be used through Alipay.

Use Your Foreign Mobile Number

Foreign travelers can register for DiDi using a foreign mobile phone number. You do not necessarily need to purchase a Chinese SIM card just to create a DiDi account.

Enter your phone number and complete the verification process requested by the app.

Keep access to the same phone number during your trip because you may need it for account verification or recovery.

Set the App to English

If the app does not open in English automatically, check the language settings.

Shanghai's official English guide gives the following path for changing DiDi's language:

Me → Settings → General → Language → English

The exact menu names may change as the app is updated, so use the current options shown on your device.

One of the most important steps for foreign visitors is setting up payment before ordering a ride.

Depending on the booking method and account, you may be able to use an international bank card or pay through a linked Alipay or WeChat Pay account. China's official travel guidance confirms that foreign travelers can use international bank cards with DiDi-Greater China and can also book rides through Alipay or WeChat.

However, card acceptance can depend on the specific payment method, card issuer, and transaction. For this reason, it is sensible to have a backup payment option.

Recommended Payment Backup

For a first trip to China, consider having:

• One international Visa or Mastercard

• A working Alipay or WeChat Pay account

• A small amount of RMB cash for emergencies

This is especially useful if your bank blocks an unfamiliar overseas transaction or the app temporarily rejects your card.

Choose Your Pickup Location

Open DiDi and allow location access. The app will normally identify your current location and suggest a pickup point.

Do not always assume that the pin can be placed anywhere you want. In busy areas such as airports, railway stations, shopping streets, and major attractions, drivers may only be able to stop at designated pickup areas.

If the pickup location looks confusing, move the pin to a clearly accessible road or follow the pickup instructions shown in the app.

Enter Your Destination

Enter the name of your hotel, attraction, restaurant, railway station, or other destination.

English may work for many well-known destinations, but having the Chinese name or address is useful as a backup.

For example, instead of relying only on:

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

keep the Chinese name available:

上海虹桥站

This can help if you need to communicate with the driver outside the app.

Select a Vehicle Type

DiDi may show several ride options depending on the city and current availability.

The exact services and prices can vary by city, time, demand, and vehicle availability. Always check the fare and vehicle information displayed in your app before confirming.

Confirm the Ride

After selecting the service, confirm your pickup location, destination, and estimated fare.

Once a driver accepts the request, DiDi normally displays information such as the driver's details, vehicle information, license plate number, and location. Shanghai's official guide specifically recommends checking the vehicle's license plate before getting into the car.

This is one of the most important steps for tourists.

When the driver arrives, check the license plate number shown in the DiDi app before entering the vehicle.

Also check that:

• The car matches the vehicle shown in the app.

• The license plate matches the information in the app.

• The driver is picking you up at the correct location.

Do not get into a different car simply because the driver says they are your DiDi driver.

At busy airports and railway stations, several cars may look similar. Checking the license plate is a simple way to avoid getting into the wrong vehicle.

Do not worry if a driver calls and speaks Chinese. This is common, especially when the pickup point is difficult to find.

The easiest solution is to keep your destination and pickup information available in Chinese.

You can also use the communication functions available in the app. Shanghai's government guide notes that DiDi provides driver communication features and that some messages can be automatically translated.

If you cannot communicate with the driver, try sending a short message such as:

我在这里等你。
“I am waiting here.”

Or show the driver the Chinese name of your hotel or destination.

Using DiDi at an airport is slightly different from using it on an ordinary city street.

After landing, collect your luggage and follow the airport's signs to the designated ride-hailing pickup area. The pickup point shown in DiDi may not be directly outside the arrivals door.

Before booking, check the pickup instructions in the app and follow airport signs.

Airport DiDi Tips for Foreign Tourists

• Do not leave the terminal before checking the pickup instructions.

• Keep your phone connected to mobile internet.

• Check the exact pickup point in the app.

• Compare the license plate when the car arrives.

• Allow extra time if the airport is large or crowded.

If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with several people, check the vehicle size before confirming the ride.

Large Chinese railway stations can be even more confusing than airports because there may be multiple entrances, exits, taxi areas, and pickup roads.

When booking a DiDi from a railway station, follow the pickup point suggested by the app rather than simply choosing the nearest exit.

If the driver cannot stop at your exact location, the driver may call you and ask you to walk to another pickup point.

Keep your train station name in Chinese so you can show it to station staff if you need help finding the correct exit.

There is no single fixed price for a DiDi ride in China.

The fare depends on factors such as:

• Distance

• City

• Time of day

• Traffic conditions

• Vehicle type

• Demand and availability

• Airport or other special pickup conditions

One advantage of booking through DiDi is that the app normally shows the fare or fare estimate before you confirm the ride. Beijing's official transportation guide also notes that vehicle options are displayed with upfront fare information.

Because prices can change depending on real-time conditions, it is better to rely on the price shown in your app rather than a fixed price quoted in a travel guide.

Tipping is generally not a normal part of using DiDi in China.

You should pay the fare shown through the booking and payment system. If you have a special request or receive exceptional service, any additional payment should be handled according to the app's available options rather than assuming that tipping is expected.

If your payment is declined, do not assume that DiDi itself is unavailable to foreigners.

Payment problems can occur because of card issuer restrictions, verification requirements, payment settings, or temporary transaction issues.

Try these steps:

• Check that your international card allows overseas online transactions.

• Make sure the card has not expired.

• Check whether your bank requires an additional verification step.

• Try a different supported payment method.

• Use Alipay or WeChat as an alternative booking route.

• Keep some RMB cash as an emergency backup.

China's government guidance notes that international cards can be linked to mobile payment services, but card verification and acceptance can depend on the card issuer and payment product.

DiDi depends heavily on an internet connection, so it is best to solve your mobile data problem before ordering a ride.

For foreign tourists, common options include:

• Travel eSIM

• International roaming

• Chinese SIM card

• Hotel or public Wi-Fi

Do not wait until you arrive at an airport pickup area to discover that your phone has no working data connection.

A practical approach is to set up your internet connection before leaving the airport or even before your flight.

For visitors who do not speak Chinese, booking through an app can reduce the amount of verbal communication required because the destination and pickup location are entered before the journey begins.

As with any ride-hailing service, basic precautions are important.

Before entering the vehicle:

• Check the license plate against the app.

• Check the vehicle information.

• Make sure you are getting into the correct car.

• Keep your phone and personal belongings with you.

For late-night rides, share your trip information with someone you trust if your phone or app provides a sharing function.

If something does not match the information displayed in the app, do not enter the vehicle until the situation is clear.

DiDi Cannot Detect My Location

Check that location services are enabled for DiDi and that your phone has a working internet connection.

If you are inside a large railway station, airport, shopping mall, or underground area, move toward an open pickup location if necessary.

I Cannot Find My Driver

Check the vehicle location and license plate in the app. If the driver is nearby, follow the pickup instructions or contact the driver through the available communication function.

If you are at a large transportation hub, make sure you are at the correct pickup area rather than simply the correct building.

The Driver Cannot Find Me

Send a short Chinese message or show the driver your Chinese pickup address.

For hotels, railway stations, airports, and major tourist attractions, saving the Chinese name before your trip can make communication much easier.

My International Card Was Declined

Try another supported payment method, such as a properly configured Alipay or WeChat Pay account. If necessary, use another card or keep RMB cash available as a backup.

DiDi Shows No Available Cars

This can happen during periods of high demand, bad weather, traffic congestion, or in areas with limited vehicle supply.

Wait a few minutes, try another pickup point, or consider booking a taxi through the app if that option is available.

• Set up DiDi before your trip. Do not wait until you need an airport transfer.

• Use a foreign phone number. A Chinese number is not normally required for DiDi-Greater China registration.

• Prepare your payment method in advance. Test your international card or mobile payment setup.

• Keep your destination in Chinese. This is especially useful when communicating with drivers.

• Check the pickup point carefully. The nearest exit is not always the correct pickup location.

• Always check the license plate. Match the car with the information in the app before entering.

• Keep mobile data working. DiDi relies on your phone's internet connection and location services.

• Have a backup. Alipay, WeChat, another card, or some RMB cash can help if your first payment method fails.

Can foreigners use DiDi in China?

Yes. Foreign travelers can use DiDi in China. China's current government travel guide states that the DiDi-Greater China app supports registration with foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards. Foreign visitors can also book rides through Alipay and WeChat.

Do I need a Chinese phone number for DiDi?

No. The current government guide specifically states that DiDi-Greater China supports foreign mobile phone numbers.

Can I pay for DiDi with a foreign credit card?

Yes, international credit cards are supported for DiDi-Greater China according to the current Chinese government guide. However, payment approval can depend on the card issuer and transaction, so keeping a backup payment method is recommended.

Can I use DiDi without speaking Chinese?

Yes. You can enter your destination in the app before the ride, reducing the amount of communication needed with the driver. English-language functions are also available, although the exact interface may vary between app versions and booking methods. Shanghai's official guide confirms that DiDi can be switched to English and provides driver communication functions.

Can I use DiDi from a Chinese airport?

Yes. DiDi can be used for airport transfers, but you should follow the airport's designated ride-hailing pickup instructions. The pickup location may be different from the main arrivals entrance.

Can I use DiDi at Chinese railway stations?

Yes. DiDi can be used for trips to and from railway stations. Large stations may have designated pickup areas, so check the location shown in the app carefully.

What if my DiDi driver calls me in Chinese?

Check the pickup location in the app and use the available in-app communication tools if possible. Keeping your destination and pickup information in Chinese can also make communication easier.

For most first-time visitors, the key to using DiDi successfully is not learning complicated Chinese phrases. It is preparing the basics before you need a ride.

Set up your DiDi account, make sure your mobile internet works, prepare an international payment method, and save important destinations in Chinese. When a driver arrives, check the license plate against the information shown in the app before getting into the car.

China's current official guidance makes clear that foreign travelers can use DiDi-Greater China with foreign mobile numbers and international credit cards, while Alipay and WeChat provide additional ride-hailing options.

With those basics prepared, booking a ride in China can be much easier—even if you do not speak Chinese.

For the most current information about services available to foreign travelers, check China's official government travel guidance and local government transportation guides, because app features, payment methods, and pickup procedures can change.

• China State Council — Guide to Working and Living in China

• Shanghai Municipal Government — How to Use DiDi Chuxing

• Beijing Municipal Government — Taxis & Ride-Hailing