DiDi Guide for Foreigners 2026

If you only download one transport app before you land in China, make it Didi. It is the local equivalent of Uber, runs in more than 400 cities, and accounts for the large majority of ride-hailing trips in the country. Taxis still exist, but street hailing is increasingly unreliable in big cities, and the language barrier at the curb is real. Didi settles the price up front, shows you the driver's license plate, and lets you message the driver through in-app translation. This guide covers the things first-time visitors actually get stuck on: getting the English app, paying without a Chinese bank account, picking a ride type, and finding your car at a chaotic airport.

Install the right Didi app (the English one)

There are two Didi apps on the stores, and picking the wrong one is the most common beginner mistake. Use the international edition by DiDi Global Inc. (listed as "DiDi: Ride Hailing in China") — full English interface, foreign cards accepted. The domestic Chinese app is Chinese-only and usually rejects foreign cards, so avoid it. Download and register before you fly: Google Play is blocked inside mainland China, and although Apple's App Store works once you are there, set it up on home Wi-Fi to be safe.

After install, open the app and switch the language to English on the start screen. You register with your home phone number — no Chinese SIM required — and verify by SMS. If the text message does not arrive after you land, you can fall back to email verification or use the Didi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat Pay. Chinese rules require real-name verification for ride-hailing, so expect to upload your passport and do a quick face scan; approval is usually near-instant.

Binding an international card

The whole point of the international edition is that you can pay like a tourist. Go to Me → Wallet → Payment Methods and add a card. Didi accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and Diners Club. You will complete a 3D Secure step pushed by your bank, so tell your bank you are traveling to China first or the charge may be declined. One practical tip: enable password-free auto-pay. The fare is then deducted automatically when the trip ends and you just step out — no awkward fumbling with the driver. Auto-pay is capped per transaction, which keeps it safe.

• Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Diners Club all work directly in the international app.
• Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card also work as a backup payment method.
• Cash is only accepted on a small share of regular taxi orders; for Express, Premier, and Comfort it is mandatory to pay in-app.
• If a card is declined, switch to a second card or to Alipay rather than retrying the same one repeatedly.

Ride types: Express, Premier, and taxi

Didi shows you the estimated fare before you confirm, so there are no surprises. The main tiers you will use:

• Express — the everyday choice. Cheap, plentiful, and fine for solo travelers and couples with normal luggage. A typical 8 km city ride in Beijing or Shanghai lands around 30–40 RMB.
• Premier — newer, larger business sedans. Roughly 60–80% above Express. Worth it for airport runs with big suitcases or when you want a quieter car.
• Taxi — an actual licensed cab summoned through the app. Useful in spots where private cars are restricted, but you still get the plate number and tracking.
• Comfort and Carpool also appear in many cities; Comfort sits between Express and Premier, and Carpool shares the ride for 30–50% less.

For most first visits, Express covers 90% of trips and Premier covers the airport. You do not need to overthink it.

Airport pickup without the stress

Chinese airports use designated ride-hailing pickup zones, not curbside chaos. At Beijing Daxing and Shanghai Pudong the zones are signed in English and Chinese, and the app shows your driver's plate, car model, and live position. When the car arrives, match the plate on your phone to the plate on the windshield, then show the driver the last four digits of your phone number so they confirm you are the right passenger.

Surge pricing and tipping

Like any ride app, Didi raises prices during rush hour (roughly 7–9 am and 5–8 pm), rain, and big events. In China the multiplier is capped, so even at peak a central-city ride stays reasonable by Western standards — usually no more than about 1.8 times the base fare. Order 5–10 minutes before you need to leave to dodge the worst of it. Tipping is not expected and there is no tip option in the app.

When Didi alone is not enough

Didi is brilliant in cities, but for planning walks, transit, and offline backup you will want a map app too — see our Amap / Gaode Maps guide. You also need data for the app to work; sort that out ahead of time with our internet connectivity guide. And if you are visiting during a holiday week, cars get scarce and prices climb — our China public holidays guide explains when to expect it and how to book transport early.

Last verified: August 2026 · by the China Trip Plans editorial team.