Didi in China: Book a Ride Step-by-Step (2026)
Exact steps to use Didi (Chinese Uber): download, register with foreign number, set English, add payment, book a ride, safety features, airport pickup, taxi etiquette.
Key takeaway
- Didi is the dominant ride-hailing app in China (like Uber). It has an English interface and accepts Alipay/foreign cards.
- Didi is 30-50% cheaper than regular taxis in most cities. Prices are shown upfront — no haggling, no meter surprises.
- Most drivers don't speak English. Use the in-app translation feature or show your destination in Chinese (save your hotel's Chinese address).
- Safety features: Share trip with friends, driver rating, license plate verification, 24/7 emergency button. Didi is generally very safe for foreigners.
- Airport pickup: Use the designated Didi pickup zone (有明确标识). Don't accept rides from drivers who approach you inside the terminal — those are unlicensed and overcharge.
Full guide
Step-by-Step: Use Didi
Follow these exact steps to download, set up, and book your first Didi ride.
- Download Didi and register
Download 'DiDi' (滴滴出行) from App Store or Google Play. Open the app. Select your country code and enter your foreign phone number. Tap 'Get Code' (获取验证码). Enter the 6-digit SMS code. Create a password or use fingerprint/face ID. You're now registered. No Chinese phone number needed — foreign numbers work fine.
Tip: If you don't receive the SMS code, try again after 60 seconds. Some foreign carriers delay international SMS. You can also try registering with your email instead (some versions support this).
- Set language to English
Tap the profile icon (个人中心, bottom left or right depending on version). Tap the gear icon (设置, Settings). Tap 'Language' (语言). Select 'English' (英语). The app will restart in English. All menus, ride options, and driver messages will now be in English. Note: Driver chat messages may still come in Chinese — use the in-app translate button.
Tip: If you can't find the language setting (some versions bury it), look for a small 'EN/中' toggle in the top corner of the home screen, or search 'language' in the settings search bar.
- Add payment method
Tap profile → 'Wallet' (钱包) → 'Payment Methods' (支付方式) → 'Add Payment Method' (添加支付方式). Options: Alipay (recommended — if you've set up Alipay Tour Card), WeChat Pay, or International Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). For credit card: enter card number, expiry, CVV, name. Tap 'Save'. Didi will charge a small verification amount (¥1-2) that is immediately refunded. Set your default payment method.
Warning: If you add a credit card, make sure it supports international transactions. Some US banks block China charges by default — call your bank to authorize Didi/China transactions before your trip.
- Book your first ride
On the home screen, your current location is auto-detected (allow location permission). Tap 'Where to?' (您要去哪儿?). Enter your destination. Options: 1) Type in English (major landmarks work). 2) Type in Chinese (most accurate). 3) Tap 'Pin on map' (地图选点) and drop a pin. 4) Select from saved places (home/work/hotel). After entering destination, you'll see ride options: Express (快车, cheapest, regular cars), Premier (专车, nicer cars, professional drivers), Taxi (出租车, regular metered taxi), Luxury (豪华车, high-end). Select your option. The price is shown upfront. Tap 'Confirm' (确认呼叫).
Tip: Save your hotel as a favorite place: After your first ride to the hotel, tap the star icon next to the address in your ride history. Name it 'Hotel'. Next time, just tap 'Hotel' instead of typing the address.
- Meet your driver
After confirming, Didi matches you with a nearby driver (usually 1-5 minutes). You'll see: driver name, car model, license plate number (车牌号), driver rating, and ETA. The app shows the car's location on the map in real-time. When the driver arrives, you'll get a notification. Walk to the pickup point. Verify the license plate matches the app before getting in. If you can't find the car, tap 'Call' (打电话) to call the driver (use the translate feature) or 'Message' (发消息) to chat (auto-translate available).
Warning: ALWAYS verify the license plate before getting in. Never get into a car that doesn't match the app. If a driver approaches you saying 'Didi? Didi?' without you booking, it's a scammer — walk away and use the app properly.
- During the ride: safety and communication
Once in the car, the app shows the route in real-time. You can see if the driver is following the suggested route. Safety features: 1) 'Share Trip' (分享行程) — send your live location to a friend via SMS/WeChat/email. 2) 'Emergency' (紧急求助) button — connects to Didi's 24/7 safety center. 3) Driver rating after the ride. Communication: If you need to tell the driver something, use the in-app chat with auto-translate, or show them your phone screen. Most drivers will use navigation (Amap) so just sit back. The ride ends automatically when you arrive at your destination.
Tip: Share your trip with a friend or family member — especially for late-night rides or when traveling alone. It takes 2 taps and gives peace of mind. The friend doesn't need the Didi app — they get a link to view your live location in a browser.
- Payment, rating, and receipts
When you arrive, the ride ends automatically. Payment is charged to your default payment method (no need to do anything). You'll see the final fare (should match the upfront estimate, unless there were tolls or significant detours). Rate your driver (1-5 stars) and add optional feedback. You can add a tip if you want (not expected, but appreciated). For receipts: Tap profile → 'Orders' (我的订单) → select the ride → 'Receipt' (行程单/发票). You can get an email receipt or a Chinese fapiao (for business expenses). Save receipts for expense reports.
Tip: If the final fare is significantly higher than the estimate (more than 20%), you can dispute it in the app: Profile → Orders → Select ride → 'Dispute' (申诉). Didi will review and refund the difference if the driver took an unnecessary detour.
Airport Pickup Guide
Major airports have designated Didi pickup zones (网约车上车区). Follow signs for 'Ride-hailing' or '网约车' (wǎng yuē chē).
Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Didi pickup at P4 parking lot (Terminal 1) or P2 (Terminal 2). Follow '网约车' signs. 5-10 min walk from arrivals.
Beijing Capital (PEK): Didi pickup at the designated '网约车' zone outside each terminal. Follow signs.
Beijing Daxing (PKX): Didi pickup at B1 level '网约车中心'. Very well organized.
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): Didi pickup at '网约车' zone, follow signs from arrivals.
Chengdu Tianfu (TFU): Didi pickup at B1 '网约车' zone.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT accept rides from drivers who approach you inside the terminal saying 'Taxi? Didi?' — these are unlicensed scalpers who charge 2-3x the normal price. Always book through the Didi app and walk to the designated pickup zone.
If you have large luggage, select 'Premier' (专车) or 'Taxi' — these drivers are more likely to have trunk space. Express cars are often small (VW Lavida, Toyota Corolla).
Regular Taxis: When & How
When to use regular taxis: When Didi wait times are long (rush hour, bad weather), when you're at a taxi stand, or for short trips where Didi pickup is inconvenient.
How to take a taxi: Find a taxi stand (出租车候客区) or flag one down on the street (taxis are green/yellow/red/blue depending on city). Tell the driver your destination in Chinese (show address on phone). Insist on meter (打表, dǎ biǎo). If driver refuses meter, get out and find another taxi.
Payment: Cash or Alipay/WeChat scan (most taxis accept QR payment). Some taxis accept foreign cards but don't count on it.
Tips: Taxis are more expensive than Didi (30-50% more). Some drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare — watch the route on your map app. Keep small bills for cash payment.
Taxi scams to avoid: 1) 'No meter' — refuse and get out. 2) 'Fixed price' to airport/hotel — always use meter. 3) Driver 'doesn't have change' — pay exact amount or use QR. 4) Taking you to a 'different' hotel/attraction for commission — insist on your destination.
FAQ
Is Didi safe for foreigners?
Yes, Didi is generally very safe. All drivers are background-checked and licensed. The app shows driver name, license plate, car model, and rating. Use 'Share Trip' to send your live location to a friend. The 24/7 emergency button connects to Didi's safety center. Avoid riding alone late at night if possible, and always verify the license plate before getting in.
Can I use Didi without a Chinese phone number?
Yes. Didi accepts foreign phone numbers for registration. Select your country code (e.g., +1 for US, +44 for UK) and enter your number. You'll receive the SMS verification code on your foreign number. Make sure you have roaming or WiFi to receive the SMS. Once registered, you can use all features.
How much does Didi cost compared to taxis?
Didi Express is typically 30-50% cheaper than metered taxis. Example: Shanghai city center ride (~5 km): Didi Express ¥15-25, Taxi ¥25-40. Airport ride (Shanghai Pudong to city center, ~40 km): Didi Express ¥80-120, Taxi ¥150-200. Didi Premier (专车) is similar to taxi prices but with nicer cars. Prices shown upfront include all fees.