How to Use DiDi in China: From App Setup to Airport Pickup

You can use DiDi in mainland China with a foreign phone number and a supported international bank card—no Chinese SIM or bank account is normally required. For most first-time visitors, the bigger challenges are getting verification texts, setting up payment and finding the correct pickup point.

DiDi's dedicated app, Alipay and WeChat offer different ways to request rides. Here's how to choose the right option, book your first trip and avoid common airport and railway-station pickup mistakes.

Quick Answer: Can You Use DiDi in China Without a Chinese Phone Number?

Yes. As of September 2026, foreign travelers can use DiDi in mainland China without buying a Chinese SIM card.

For most travelers:

• Chinese phone number: Not required
• Chinese bank account: Not normally required
• Foreign mobile number: Supported
• International bank card: Supported
• English interface: Available in the DiDi China app.
• Backup options: Ride-hailing through Alipay or WeChat, with your account and payment method set up

TripChina Local Tip: Set up DiDi before departure. The app itself is rarely the hardest part; trying to solve an SMS or card problem while standing outside an airport with luggage is.

Which DiDi Option Is Easiest for Foreign Travelers?

As of September 2026, official guidance lists DiDi-Greater China, Alipay and WeChat as ways foreign travelers can book online ride-hailing services.

Which should you choose? If you already have Alipay set up, check its ride-hailing option first—you may not need another app. Choose DiDi China if you prefer a dedicated ride-hailing app. Before relying on either, check that you can sign in and access your intended payment method.

How to Use DiDi in China: 6 Steps to Book Your First Ride

1. Open DiDi or your ride-hailing service. Sign in and check that your payment method is ready.
2. Confirm your pickup point. Check the map pin, exit or designated pickup zone, especially at airports and railway stations.
3. Enter your destination. Search for your hotel or attraction and confirm the address. Try its Chinese name if needed.
4. Choose your ride. Compare vehicle types, estimated fares and luggage capacity.
5. Request the car. Review the pickup location and payment method before confirming.
6. Meet your driver and complete payment. Match the license plate with your booking, use in-app messaging if necessary and check your payment status after arrival.

The two details worth checking most carefully are your pickup point and destination.

For the wider digital setup you'll need in China, see TripChina's Essential Apps for Foreigners in China.

Which DiDi App Should Foreign Visitors Use in Mainland China?

For mainland China, the clearest choice is DiDi China: Ride Hailing / DiDi-Greater China, the mainland service referenced in current Chinese government guidance.

Look for the mainland-China service, with English-language support and international-user registration.

Other DiDi-branded apps serve different markets. Check that the app you download supports rides in mainland China.

Can You Use DiDi Without Downloading a Separate DiDi App?

Yes.

Current government instructions also list two useful alternatives:

Alipay: Open Alipay → Transport → Taxi → enter your pickup location and destination.

WeChat: Open WeChat → Me → Services → Mobility / Ride Hailing → enter your pickup location and destination.

Exact labels can change as the apps update, so treat these paths as guidance rather than permanent button-by-button instructions.

This is particularly useful if you already have Alipay set up for everyday payments and do not want another travel app.

How Do You Register for DiDi With a Foreign Phone Number?

Foreign travelers can register for DiDi-Greater China using a supported overseas mobile number. Select your country code, enter your number and complete SMS verification. A Chinese SIM card is not normally required.

A typical setup is:

1. Open DiDi China.
2. Select your country or region code.
3. Enter your overseas mobile number.
4. Receive and enter the SMS verification code.
5. Follow any additional account instructions displayed in the app.

Examples of international dialing codes include:

• +1 — United States / Canada
• +44 — United Kingdom
• +61 — Australia

Select the country code for the phone number you are registering with, not China’s +86 unless you are using a Chinese number.

Important for eSIM users: A data-only travel eSIM provides internet access but may not support SMS verification. Keep your original phone number accessible in case DiDi asks you to verify your account again.

Should You Register for DiDi Before Flying to China?

Yes. Sign in, check the language settings, add your intended payment method, and complete any verification requested by the app before departure. This gives you time to troubleshoot without depending on an airport connection.

What Should You Do if the DiDi Verification SMS Doesn't Arrive?

First check:

1. Is the country code correct?
2. Did you enter the phone number correctly?
3. Can your home SIM receive international SMS?
4. Is international roaming or overseas SMS reception enabled?
5. Does your phone have a working mobile-data or Wi-Fi connection?

Avoid requesting verification codes repeatedly in rapid succession.

If standalone DiDi registration still does not work, try ride-hailing through Alipay or WeChat rather than making your airport transfer dependent on one unresolved app.

Is DiDi Available in English?

Yes.

As of September 2026, DiDi's official app information advertises an English interface for inbound travelers, global mobile-number login and bilingual English-Chinese messaging between riders and drivers.

If you access ride-hailing through Alipay or WeChat, the surrounding interface may depend on the language settings and current version of the host app.

TripChina Tip: Don't memorize screenshots from a months-old tutorial. Chinese apps change frequently. Learn what the functions are—Language, Payment, Trips, Messages and Help—rather than depending on an exact screen layout.

Does DiDi Require ID or Passport Verification for Foreigners?

Your account may ask for identity or real-name verification, depending on the current account flow, payment setup or risk controls.

Do not assume that every foreign tourist must upload a passport before every normal ride, and do not rely on claims that a passport is always the only document accepted.

If verification appears, follow the current international-user document options shown inside your account. Complete any required verification before your first airport or railway-station transfer. If the app requests documents, check the available international-user options rather than assuming every account follows the same process.

Can You Pay for DiDi in China With an International Credit Card?

As of September 2026, Chinese government guidance states that DiDi-Greater China supports international credit cards, while current DiDi app information describes support for international bank cards.

You therefore do not normally need to open a mainland Chinese bank account simply to use DiDi.

Actual payment success can still depend on:

• the issuing bank
• card network
• overseas-transaction settings
• fraud-prevention controls
• current DiDi account configuration

Officially supported does not mean every foreign card will work every time.

Which Payment Setup Is Best for a Foreign Tourist?

If your international card doesn't work: Check overseas-transaction settings with your bank, then try another supported card. If your Alipay or WeChat payment setup is already working, their ride-hailing services may provide an alternative.
Before your trip: Make sure you can access your account and review the available payment methods. A card being accepted during setup does not guarantee every transaction will succeed.

Can You Pay Cash for a DiDi Ride?

Do not assume cash will be available for every app-booked ride.

Use the payment options displayed for the specific order in your app. Traditional street taxis may have different payment options.

How Should You Choose the Pickup Point?

DiDi uses your location to suggest a pickup point, but the automatically selected pin is not necessarily somewhere a driver can conveniently or legally stop.

This matters especially at:

• airports
• high-speed railway stations
• shopping malls
• major attractions
• metro stations
• gated hotels
• huge commercial complexes

Whenever possible, choose a clearly marked pickup point.

How Should You Enter Your Destination?

Search for your hotel, attraction, airport or railway station and compare the result with the map before confirming.

If the English name does not produce the correct location, try:

• the Chinese name
• pinyin
• the full street address
• selecting the location directly on the map where available

Local habit worth copying: Save the Chinese name and address of your hotel on your phone before arrival. It can solve problems not only with DiDi, but also with taxis and directions.

For navigation beyond ride-hailing, see TripChina's China Navigation App Guide.

How Do You Use DiDi at Chinese Train Stations?

Which DiDi Car Type Should Tourists Choose?

Current government guidance lists Express, Taxi, Premier and Luxe among the available service options. Availability can vary by city, location and time.

Traveling with luggage? Express is a practical starting point for ordinary city rides. For several passengers or large suitcases, check the vehicle capacity and available larger options. A higher-priced category does not automatically mean more seats or luggage space.

What Should You Check Before Getting Into the Car?

If the vehicle does not match the booking, don't get in simply because someone says they are your driver.

How Do You Use DiDi at Chinese Airports?

Airport pickup rule: Find the designated ride-hailing pickup area before requesting your car. The arrivals exit, taxi rank and DiDi pickup zone may be in different locations. Follow airport signs and confirm that your selected pickup point matches where you can actually meet the driver.

A practical workflow is:

1. Clear immigration if needed and collect your luggage.
2. Confirm your terminal and follow signs for the designated ride-hailing area.
3. Open DiDi and check the available pickup locations against the airport signs.
4. Make sure you can reach the selected pickup point before requesting the car.
5. After booking, recheck the pickup instructions and vehicle details.

TripChina Local Tip: Don't request the car while you're still waiting at baggage claim unless you know the airport's pickup system well. Immigration, luggage and the walk to the ride-hailing area make your timing unpredictable.

Why Shouldn't You Just Search for the Airport Name?

Major Chinese cities may have:

• more than one airport
• multiple terminals
• several arrival levels
• separate taxi and ride-hailing zones

The terminal and pickup zone often matter more than the airport name.

For the full arrival process before you even reach the pickup area, see TripChina's China Airport Arrival Guide for Foreigners.

How Do You Use DiDi at Chinese High-Speed Railway Stations?

High-speed railway stations can be even more confusing than airports.

Large stations may have:

• North / South / East / West exits
• multiple street levels
• underground pickup areas
• separate taxi queues
• designated online ride-hailing zones

Before booking: Identify your exact station exit and pickup level. Large railway stations may have several exits and separate ride-hailing areas, so check the signs before selecting your pickup point.

If your designated pickup point is elsewhere in the station, walk there first and request the car once you are close.

For the rest of the railway experience—from station entry to boarding—see TripChina's China Train Travel Guide for Foreign Visitors.

How Do You Communicate With a DiDi Driver Who Doesn't Speak English?

Many DiDi drivers will not speak fluent English.

In practice, this is usually manageable because your destination and pickup point are transmitted digitally.

As of September 2026, DiDi officially advertises bilingual Chinese-English in-app messaging.

Keep messages short:

• “I am at Exit 3.”
• “I am at the hotel entrance.”
• “I am wearing a blue jacket.”
• “Please wait one minute.”
• “I am walking to the pickup point.”

What if Your Driver Calls You?

Don't panic.

The driver may be trying to locate you. If speaking is difficult, open the trip’s messaging function and send a short, specific location such as “I’m at Exit 3” or “I’m in pickup zone B.”

Check that you are standing at the pickup point shown in the booking. An exact exit or zone is more useful than simply saying “I’m at the airport.”

Is DiDi Safe for Foreign Travelers?

DiDi provides digital booking and journey information, but normal ride-hailing precautions still matter.

What Should You Check Before Boarding?

Match the license plate and vehicle information with the booking.

Don't enter an unmatched vehicle.

Should You Confirm the Destination Before Leaving?

Yes.

Look at the map before the car starts moving, particularly when hotels, railway stations or attractions have similar English names.

Should You Pay Outside the Platform?

Keep payment within the booking flow whenever possible.

If you're unexpectedly asked to make another payment, check your trip and payment status first so you don't accidentally pay twice.

Why Is Phone Battery Important in China?

Keep your phone charged. You may need it to find the pickup point, message your driver and check payment. Carry a power bank and save your hotel’s Chinese address before heading out.

What Should You Do if DiDi Doesn't Work?

What if Your International Card Is Declined?

Check whether:

• overseas transactions are enabled;
• your bank has blocked the transaction;
• your card details are correct;
• another international card works.

A card being officially supported does not mean every transaction will be approved.

If necessary, switch to your backup payment or ride-hailing method.

What if the Driver Cancels?

Request another car.

Cancellations may occur during rush hour, heavy rain, holidays, large events or difficult pickup situations.

If it happens repeatedly, try moving to a clearer pickup point or selecting another available ride category.

What if You Leave Something in the Car?

Open your trip history and select the completed journey.

Look for the current options to:

• contact the driver;
• report a lost item;
• contact customer support.

Do it as soon as possible.

As of September 2026, DiDi's official website lists the passenger service hotline as +86 400 0000 999, while current app information advertises in-app English customer service.

For most foreign visitors, the in-app route is the easier first step.

Is DiDi Better Than a Traditional Taxi for Foreign Tourists?

For many international travelers, DiDi's biggest advantage isn't necessarily price.

It's that you enter the destination before the ride begins.

The two are complementary.

A traditional taxi can actually be easier when:

• a taxi rank is directly in front of you;
• the DiDi pickup zone is far away;
• your phone has no connection;
• the app is having problems.

Don't turn “DiDi vs taxi” into a rule. Use whichever makes more sense where you're standing.

Can You Use Uber in Mainland China?

Do not plan your mainland-China transportation around Uber.

For practical trip planning, use China's domestic ride-hailing ecosystem, especially DiDi, plus taxis and public transportation where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can One DiDi Account Book a Ride for Several People?

Generally, one traveler can request a vehicle for their travel party as long as the passengers and luggage fit the selected vehicle.

You do not normally need a separate DiDi account for every person simply because everyone is riding together. For larger groups, check the vehicle options shown in the app.

Can You Rely on DiDi Outside Major Chinese Cities?

Availability is generally much better in cities and populated tourist areas.

In remote mountain regions, villages and isolated scenic areas, don't assume you'll be able to summon a car for the return trip. Ask your hotel or attraction about taxis, buses or transfers before relying on DiDi.

Can You Schedule a DiDi Ride in Advance?

Scheduled or reservation options may appear for eligible services, locations and accounts.

Check the current app for your specific route rather than assuming advance booking is always available. A scheduled ride should still be treated as a convenience rather than a guarantee against traffic, driver shortages or pickup changes.

Can You Use DiDi for Long-Distance or Intercity Trips?

Longer rides may appear depending on your location and the services available, but ride-hailing is not automatically the best option between major Chinese cities.

For most intercity routes, high-speed rail is usually faster and more predictable. DiDi is often most useful for the first and last mile—for example, hotel → railway station and railway station → hotel.

Are DiDi Prices Higher During Busy Periods?

Prices and availability can vary with route, demand, traffic, time and service type.

Check the estimated fare shown before confirming rather than relying on a fixed “normal” price from an old travel blog.

That's enough for most travelers to use DiDi confidently without turning a simple ride into another piece of China-trip homework.

Before your first ride, check your account, payment method and mobile connection. At pickup, confirm the location and license plate. Keep a backup way to travel in case the app, card or connection fails.

Related TripChina Guides

• Essential Apps for Foreigners in China
  https://tripchina.me/essential-apps-foreigners-china/
• China Payment Guide for Foreign Visitors
  https://tripchina.me/official-china-payment-guide-foreigners/
• China Navigation App Guide
  https://tripchina.me/best-navigation-app-for-foreign-tourists-in-china/
• China Airport Arrival Guide for Foreigners
  https://tripchina.me/china-airport-arrival-guide-foreigners/
• China Train Travel Guide for Foreign Visitors
  https://tripchina.me/train-travel-china-foreigners-guide/

Sources & References

State Council of the People's Republic of China — Guide to Working and Living in China

Hunan Provincial Government — How to Book Online Ride-Hailing Services

DiDi Official Website

DiDi China — Apple App Store

Research Note

This guide was checked against current Chinese government transportation guidance and DiDi's official information. Foreign-number registration, international-card support, English functionality, bilingual messaging and Alipay/WeChat ride-hailing access were verified against current sources. Practical airport, railway-station and troubleshooting recommendations reflect TripChina's traveler-focused planning approach. App interfaces, payment approval, ride categories and local pickup arrangements can change, so travelers should follow current in-app and on-site instructions.

👉 Explore more essential travel tips in our China Basics Hub.

TripChina.me creates practical China travel guides shaped by real local experience, helping independent travelers navigate transport, payments, food, neighborhoods, and the cultural details that make traveling in China easier and more meaningful. Find the guide for your destination at tripchina.me.