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Most foreign visitors assume they need a Chinese phone number or a local bank account to use DiDi (滴滴出行), China's dominant ride-hailing platform. That assumption keeps them stuck with hotel taxis or overpriced airport transfers. The reality is simpler: DiDi's English-language app accepts overseas phone numbers, passport verification, and international credit cards. You can set it up before your flight lands.
Quick Answer
- Download the right app: Search for "DiDi" (blue car icon) on the App Store or Google Play. Do not download "DiDi Rider", that's the international version and doesn't work in China.
- Register with your foreign number: Select your country code (+1, +44, etc.), enter your phone number, and receive the verification code via SMS. No Chinese SIM card required.
- Verify with your passport: Go to Me → Account & Security → Real-Name Verification. Select "Passport," upload the photo page, and complete a face scan. Approval takes minutes to 24 hours.
- Pay with Visa or Mastercard: Go to Me → Wallet → Add Payment Method. Enter your card details. Enable "Auto Debit" so each ride charges automatically.
- Type destinations in English: The app translates your input into Chinese for the driver. Hotel names, landmarks, and airport codes all work.
Downloading the Right App: Why Most Tourists Get This Wrong
The first mistake foreign visitors make is downloading the wrong app. Search your app store for "DiDi" and look for the blue car icon with the word "DiDi" underneath. That's the China mainland version with full English support.
The app you want to avoid is called "DiDi Rider." It has a similar logo but is designed for overseas markets like Australia, Latin America, and Japan. If you install DiDi Rider and try to use it in China, it will show no available cars. You'll waste time troubleshooting while your taxi meter runs.
Some travelers also confuse DiDi with other Chinese ride-hailing apps like Cao Cao (曹操出行) or Shouqi (首汽约车). These work in China but have limited English support and often require Chinese payment methods. Stick with DiDi for the smoothest experience.
Registration: Using Your Foreign Phone Number
Open the DiDi app and tap "Sign Up" on the welcome screen. You'll see a country code selector, scroll to find your country (+1 for the US, +44 for the UK, +61 for Australia, etc.). Enter your phone number and tap "Send Code."
The verification code arrives via standard SMS. Make sure your phone has international roaming enabled before you travel. Some carriers block SMS from certain countries, check with your provider if you're unsure.
What if the code doesn't arrive? This happens more often than it should. First, check that you haven't exceeded the daily limit of 10 verification attempts. If you've tapped "Resend" repeatedly, wait an hour and try again. If the problem persists, switch to a Wi-Fi network and retry, some mobile networks in China have intermittent SMS delivery for international numbers. As a last resort, you can register using the Alipay or WeChat login option if you already have those apps set up.
Once the code arrives and you enter it, the app asks you to set a password. Use something you'll remember, you'll need it if you switch phones or reinstall the app.
Switching to English: The One-Time Setup
The DiDi app defaults to Chinese when you first open it. Switching to English takes about 15 seconds:
Tap "Me" at the bottom right → "Settings" (the gear icon) → "Language" → select "English."
The entire interface changes immediately, all menus, buttons, and notifications become English. This is a permanent setting unless you change it back. Every subsequent time you open the app, it stays in English.
Passport Verification: The Step Everyone Hesitates On
Chinese law requires all ride-hailing passengers to complete real-name verification. This isn't a DiDi policy, it's a national regulation for any platform that handles transportation services. Foreign tourists are not exempt.
The process is straightforward:
Go to Me → Account & Security → Real-Name Verification. Select "Passport" from the document type list. Take a clear photo of your passport's information page, the page with your photo, full name, and passport number. Make sure the entire page is visible and there's no glare from the lamination.
After uploading the photo, the app prompts you to complete a face scan. Hold your phone at eye level and follow the on-screen instructions. The scan takes about 10 seconds.
How long does verification take? Most users report approval within 30 minutes to 2 hours. In rare cases, it can take up to 24 hours. If you're arriving late at night and need a ride immediately, complete this step at least a day before your trip. You cannot request a ride without verified status.
One important detail: if you change your passport (renewal, lost passport replacement), you must re-verify with the new document. The old verification doesn't carry over.
Payment Methods: What Works and What Doesn't
Visa and Mastercard (Best for Tourists)
This is the simplest option for short-term visitors. Go to Me → Wallet → Payment Methods → Add Payment Method. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV code. The app charges your card in Chinese yuan (CNY), and your bank handles the currency conversion.
Enable Auto Debit. This is critical. Without it, you have to manually confirm payment after every ride. With Auto Debit turned on, the fare charges automatically when the trip ends. You don't need to open the app or tap anything.
Some users report that American Express works in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai but fails in smaller ones. Stick with Visa or Mastercard for consistent coverage.
Alipay or WeChat Pay (Good for Longer Stays)
If you're staying in China for more than two weeks, setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay is worth the effort. Both apps now allow foreign users to link international Visa or Mastercard cards to their digital wallets.
Once your Alipay or WeChat Pay account is active, go back to DiDi's payment settings and select either option as your default. The ride fare deducts from your digital wallet, which then charges your linked card.
The advantage of this method: you can use the same Alipay or WeChat Pay account for restaurants, convenience stores, and metro tickets. It becomes your all-in-one payment tool.
Cash (Not Recommended)
Some traditional taxis within the DiDi platform accept cash payments. Express (快车) and Premier (专车) rides do not. If you select "Taxi" as your car type, you can ask the driver at the start: "可以用现金吗?" (Can I use cash?). Most drivers will say yes, but they may not have change for large bills.
Warning about cash payments: There have been reports of drivers accepting cash and then claiming the ride was unpaid through the app. This creates a double-charge situation that's difficult to resolve. Always use the app's automatic payment system. If a driver insists on cash, cancel the ride and request another.
What About Apple Pay?
Apple Pay works in DiDi, but only if you've linked a Chinese bank card to it. International cards added to Apple Pay are not supported. Skip this option unless you have a Chinese bank account.
How to Request a Ride: Step by Step
Step 1: Set Your Pickup Location
The app automatically detects your current location using GPS. On the main screen, you'll see a map with a blue dot marking where you are. Tap the pickup location field to adjust it if needed.
Pro tip for airports and train stations: Type the terminal name in English. For example, "Beijing Capital Airport T3" or "Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station." The app recognizes these and sets the correct pickup zone. Do not type just "airport", you'll end up at the wrong terminal.
For hotels, type the hotel name. Most major hotels are in DiDi's database. If the name doesn't appear, type the street address in English.
Step 2: Enter Your Destination
Tap "Where to?" and type your destination in English. The app shows matching results with both English and Chinese names. Select the correct one.
What if the destination doesn't appear? Try typing the Chinese name using pinyin (the romanized spelling). For example, if "East Nanjing Road" doesn't work, try "Nanjing Dong Lu." If that still fails, drop a pin on the map by zooming in and tapping the exact location.
Step 3: Choose Your Car Type
DiDi offers several car types. Here's what each means for a foreign tourist:
| Car Type | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Express (快车) | Most daily rides | Economy car, may be small for 4+ passengers |
| Premier (专车) | Airport transfers, business trips | Higher price, better service, newer cars |
| Taxi (出租车) | Short trips, cash payment | Older cars, variable quality |
| Luxe (豪华车) | Special occasions | 2-3x Express price |
| Rideshare (拼车) | Solo budget travel | Longer wait times, shared space |
TripChina Verdict: Express is the right choice for 90% of rides. It's affordable, widely available, and the English interface handles it perfectly. Use Premier for airport runs when you have luggage.
Step 4: Confirm and Wait
Tap "Confirm DiDi" to send your request. The app searches for nearby drivers and shows you their estimated arrival time. When a driver accepts, you see their name, license plate number, car model, and color.
The app displays the driver's real-time location as they approach. You also see a countdown timer showing their estimated arrival. Use this time to walk to a visible spot, the hotel entrance, a metro exit, or a landmark.
Communicating With Your Driver: The Built-In Translator
Most DiDi drivers don't speak English, but the app handles most communication for you.
The built-in chat translates messages automatically: type in English, and the driver sees Chinese; their Chinese replies appear in English on your screen. It's not perfect, but it's more than enough for practical situations like confirming your pickup point or asking the driver to wait a minute.
If the driver calls and you can't communicate, simply use the chat instead. Text translation is usually much more reliable than voice.
When you get in the car, some drivers may ask for the last four digits of your phone number to confirm the ride. Showing the trip details on your screen is usually enough.
Safety and Common Scams
DiDi is generally safe. The app tracks every ride, and drivers are vetted through the platform. But a few specific risks apply to foreign passengers.
The Double-Charge Scam
This is the most common issue reported by foreign users. The driver completes the ride on the app, the fare charges automatically, and then the driver asks for cash payment, claiming the app didn't work or the payment didn't go through. The passenger pays cash, and the app also charges their card.
How to avoid it: Never pay cash for an Express or Premier ride. If a driver asks for cash, say "I already paid through the app" and show them your completed trip screen. If they insist, contact DiDi customer service immediately through the app.
The Wrong Car Scam
A driver accepts your ride, then sends a different car with a different license plate. The driver claims their regular car is in the shop. This is dangerous, the substitute driver is not vetted by DiDi.
How to avoid it: Always check the license plate before getting in. If the plate doesn't match, do not enter the vehicle. Cancel the ride through the app and request a new one. Report the original driver to DiDi customer service.
The Route Inflation Scam
The driver takes a longer route to increase the fare. This is less common with DiDi because the app calculates the fare based on distance and time, not the driver's chosen route. But some drivers still try.
How to handle it: If you notice the driver taking an obviously wrong direction, send a message through the chat: "Please follow the GPS route." The app records the route, so if the fare seems too high, you can dispute it through customer service.
What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
Verification Code Not Arriving
This is the most common problem. Solutions in order of likelihood to work:
- Wait 5 minutes and try again (don't exceed 10 attempts in 24 hours).
- Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi, or vice versa.
- Restart your phone.
- Try registering through Alipay or WeChat login instead.
- Contact your mobile carrier to confirm international SMS is enabled.
Payment Declined
If your card is declined during payment setup, check three things:
- Is your card enabled for international transactions? Some banks block overseas charges by default. Call your bank to enable it.
- Is your card's billing address correct? The app may reject mismatched addresses.
- Does your card support 3D Secure verification? Some Chinese merchants require this extra authentication step.
If none of these work, try adding the card to Alipay first, then selecting Alipay as your DiDi payment method. This sometimes bypasses the direct card rejection.
Driver Cancels After You Wait
Drivers sometimes cancel rides, especially during peak hours or in bad weather. The app automatically searches for a new driver. If this happens repeatedly, consider upgrading to Premier, the higher fare attracts more reliable drivers.
Lost Item in the Car
Open the app, go to Me → My Orders → select the completed ride → tap "Contact Driver." The chat feature works here too. If the driver doesn't respond, contact DiDi customer service through the app's Help Center.
FAQ: Using DiDi in China
Can I use DiDi with my foreign phone number?
Yes. DiDi's English app supports phone numbers from any country. Select your country code during registration and receive the verification code via SMS.
Do I need a Chinese bank card to pay for DiDi?
No. Visa and Mastercard work directly in the DiDi app. You can also link an international card through Alipay or WeChat Pay.
How do I verify my identity on DiDi with a passport?
Go to Me → Account & Security → Real-Name Verification. Select "Passport," upload the photo page, and complete a face scan. Approval takes up to 24 hours.
What car type should I choose on DiDi as a tourist?
Express (快车) for most rides. Premier (专车) for airport transfers or when you have heavy luggage. Taxi only if you need to pay cash.
Can I pay cash for a DiDi ride?
Only for Taxi rides, and only if the driver agrees. Express and Premier do not accept cash. Avoid cash payments to prevent double-charge scams.
What should I do if my DiDi verification code doesn't arrive?
Check international roaming is enabled, wait 5 minutes, try again. Switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi. If it still fails, register through Alipay or WeChat login.
Is the DiDi app available in English?
Yes. Download the DiDi app (blue car icon) and switch to English in Settings → Language. The entire interface becomes English.
How do I contact DiDi customer service in English?
Go to Me → Customer Service in the app. The chat support is available 24/7 in English. You can also call the English hotline, though wait times vary.
Can I use DiDi Rider (the international app) in China?
No. DiDi Rider is for overseas markets. It will not show any available cars in China. Download the China mainland DiDi app instead.
Does DiDi work in all Chinese cities?
DiDi covers most major cities and many smaller ones. Remote areas and some rural counties may have limited or no service. Check the app when you arrive at your destination.
👉 Explore more essential travel tips in our China Basics Hub.
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