DiDi is China’s Uber and it works in English — add your hotel address to your phone contacts before you fly and the whole app becomes one-tap. Cash tips aren’t expected; everything routes through the app.
Book a DiDi ride
Open the app
Launch the Alipay app from your phone home screen, or open DiDi directly.
Enter destination
Type the English name, paste the Chinese address, or pick a saved contact.
Confirm the price
The fare is shown upfront before you confirm. Check it, then book.
Driver matches
Watch the car approach on the map and meet it at the pickup point.
Pay in-app
The fare is deducted automatically at the end of the ride. No cash needed.
1 How to Enter Destination Without Chinese
The best part? Didi's English mode works great. You can:
- Use English hotel names — "Marriott" or "Holiday Inn" will auto-complete
- Use your phone's translation app — Copy the Chinese address into Google Translate, then paste it into Didi
- Show the destination to a local — They'll tap it in for you (takes 30 seconds)
- Use a landmark — "Shanghai Tower" or "People's Square" are recognizable worldwide
Pro hack: save the address before you fly.
Add your hotel's address to your phone's Contacts app before your trip. Then you can just tap "My Contacts" in Didi and select it instantly.
No phone, no signal, or the driver can't read your screen? Print or screenshot a bilingual address card:
2 Communicating With Drivers
Didi drivers often send you a message in Chinese. Don't panic.
Didi Price Cheat Sheet
| Route | Distance | Price (RMB) | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → City Center | ~30 km | ¥ 150-200 | $21-28 | First trip, expect this |
| Short Trip (3 km) | ~3 km | ¥ 20-30 | $3-4 | Around the neighborhood |
| Moderate Trip (10 km) | ~10 km | ¥ 50-80 | $7-11 | Cross-town travel |
| Long Trip (20 km) | ~20 km | ¥ 100-150 | $14-21 | Suburb to city |
Check your own route against a live estimate before you book:
RED FLAG WARNING
If driver asks for 500+ RMB for a short trip, CANCEL immediately and get another ride. This is price gouging on tourists.
3 Safety Tips & Etiquette
Six habits that keep every ride smooth:
| Do | Why | Don't | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrive Early | Be at pickup location 1-2 minutes before estimated arrival | Cancel Repeatedly | After 2 cancellations, you might get rate-limited |
| Rate Your Driver | Give 5 stars unless there's a real problem | Eat/Drink in Car | Unless the driver offers — it's considered rude |
| Screenshot Route | So you know if driver takes a wrong turn | Share Rides at Night | Solo trips only after dark for safety |
DiDi vs taxi vs metro
| Option | Typical price | Payment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiDi | ¥20–30 short, ¥150–200 airport run | In-app: Alipay, WeChat Pay, linked credit card, or cash | Door-to-door with no talking; fixed price shown upfront; destination typed into the app |
| Street taxi | Metered, similar range to DiDi | Cash or QR at the end of the ride | When you have no data. Bring a Chinese address card — the driver may not read English |
| Metro | Cheapest by far | Alipay / WeChat transport QR | Rush hour and cross-town trips where road traffic would crawl |
4 Don't Want to Deal with Didi?
Warning: Airport Transfer Stress
Arriving at a new airport is stressful. Trip.com Airport Transfer lets you book a private driver in English before you land. They'll be waiting with your name. Premium experience at reasonable prices.
5 Payment Methods
Didi accepts multiple payment methods. Your options:
Alipay or WeChat Pay
Recommended — Fastest, most common, automatic deduction.
Credit Card
Linked to your Alipay account.
Cash
Tap "Cash" before booking. Driver will use the meter, you pay at end.
You're ready.
Download Didi before your flight (even just to create an account), link your payment method, and you're good. Your first ride will be smooth as silk.