【2026 DiDi Guide】 How to Use Ride-Hailing Apps in China | Sign-Up, Payment, and Fare Basics

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You need to enter both your pickup point and destination before the app shows an estimated fare.

Didi is China’s leading ride-hailing app and is also integrated into WeChat Mini Programs, making it especially easy to use.

You can book rides in most parts of the country, and if you have a mainland Chinese phone number and bank account, it is often the most convenient option.

Express: The standard everyday ride option and the most basic choice.

Carpool: Share your ride with other passengers going in a similar direction for a lower fare.

Premier: A higher-end option with better vehicles and generally more polished service.

Designated Driver: If you have been drinking or are unable to drive, a driver can drive your own car to your destination.

There are two main ways for international travelers to use DiDi in mainland China: the standalone DiDi app or the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat. If possible, set up both before your trip so you have a backup option.

Option 1: Download the standalone DiDi app

The DiDi app supports international users and can be set up with an overseas phone number. After downloading the app, enter your mobile number, receive a verification code, and complete sign-up.

Option 2: Use DiDi through Alipay or WeChat (no extra app download needed)

If you already use Alipay or WeChat, this can be an easier way to access DiDi without installing the main app.

For many travelers, using DiDi through Alipay or WeChat is the simplest option, especially if payment is already set up in one of those apps.

DiDi supports registration with international mobile numbers. The full process is as follows:

Step 1｜Open the App and Select Your Region

Open the DiDi app. You may be asked to choose your country or region. Select the correct country code for your mobile number.

Step 2｜Enter Your Phone Number

Enter your mobile number in international format, following the country code you selected.

You may also see options to continue with a Google or Apple account, but phone number verification is still typically required, so a working mobile number is essential.

Step 3｜Receive and Enter the Verification Code

Tap “Send Code” and wait for an SMS text message with a 4- to 6-digit verification code. Enter the code in the app to complete phone verification.

If you do not receive the code after 60 seconds, tap “Resend.”

If the code still does not arrive after several tries, check whether your phone can receive international text messages, whether your signal is stable, and whether spam filters or carrier settings may be blocking the message.

Step 4｜Set Your Password and Basic Profile

Once your number has been verified, set a password and complete your basic profile, such as your display name. In some cases, you may also be asked to complete additional identity verification, especially when using payment features in mainland China.

Step 5｜Add a Payment Method

After registration, it is best to set up your payment method right away:

Best practice: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip, then use DiDi with one of those payment methods already linked for a smoother booking and payment experience.

It is strongly recommended that you complete registration and payment setup 1 to 2 weeks before departure, rather than waiting until you arrive in mainland China. Here is a practical pre-departure checklist:

Pre-Departure Checklist

1. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay

Download Alipay or WeChat and complete the required account verification steps.

Link an eligible international bank card, such as Visa, Mastercard, or JCB, if supported by your account and region.

Also check whether your bank has enabled overseas transactions, as some cards require this before they can be used abroad.

2. Download the DiDi app (or get familiar with the mini-program)

Download the app and complete registration before leaving home.

Take a few minutes to learn the interface, including how to enter a destination, choose a ride type, and check the estimated fare.

3. Make sure your travel documents are valid

Some services in China may require identity verification, so make sure your passport and any required travel documents are valid for your trip.

4. Enable mobile data or prepare an internet connection

Ride-hailing apps require an internet connection to work properly.

Option 1: Enable international roaming with your home mobile carrier.

Option 2: Buy a China SIM card or eSIM.

Option 3: Rent a portable Wi-Fi device.

5. Turn on location services

Make sure GPS and location services are enabled on your phone so the app can identify your pickup point accurately.

If possible, test your location settings before departure.

Useful Tips

Offline prep: Save the Chinese addresses of important places such as your hotel, airport, and major attractions before your trip. That makes it easier to copy and paste them when needed.

Driver communication: DiDi includes in-app messaging, and some versions offer translation support. It helps to prepare a few simple phrases in advance, such as “I’m at the main entrance（我在正门口）” or “Please wait two minutes（请等我两分钟）.”

Safety check: Before getting in, always confirm that the license plate number and driver details match what is shown in the app.

Compare prices: You can also check other mapping or transport apps in China if you want to compare ride options and fares.

Backup plan: If DiDi is unavailable or wait times are long, ask your hotel, restaurant, or local host to help you arrange a taxi.

Summary: For most international travelers, the easiest setup is to register DiDi with your regular mobile number, link a payment method through Alipay or WeChat Pay, and complete everything before departure. Once you arrive in mainland China, you can start booking rides with much less hassle.

In many places, the most natural way to pay for a ride is with cash, a credit card, or a local digital wallet. In mainland China, however, ride payments usually work differently. The good news is that there are now several cross-border payment options that make it possible for international visitors to use DiDi without opening a mainland Chinese bank account. Below are three of the most common payment methods, ranked by overall convenience:

If you choose to link an international credit card through the Alipay app or directly in the DiDi app, here is the setup process and the main things to keep in mind. Alipay and WeChat Pay both support major international bank cards for overseas visitors, including Visa and Mastercard.

Supported card types

How to link a card in Alipay

Step 1｜Open the Wallet section

Open the Alipay app, then go to Me and find Bank Cards or the wallet section.

Step 2｜Add an international card

Tap Add Bank Card.

Choose the option for an international card if it appears. The wording may vary depending on your app language and region.

Step 3｜Enter your card details

Enter your card number, expiry date, and security code.

Make sure the cardholder name matches the name on your verified account.

Your bank may send a one-time passcode (OTP) to confirm the card link.

Tip: Make sure you can receive bank verification messages on your phone before traveling.

Fees and transaction limits

Important limitations

What happens when you reach your destination? In most cases, you do not need to do anything at all. The app handles payment automatically. Here is how it works in different situations:

Scenario 1: Booking through the Alipay mini-program (recommended)

This is the simplest option, with automatic payment from start to finish:

On some routes, such as airport trips or longer-distance rides, prepayment may be required. If so, the estimated fare will be shown and charged in advance.

Scenario 2: Booking through the DiDi app

Scenario 3: Booking through Amap (for fare comparison)

Estimated fares by ride type

During peak hours—such as rush hour, weekends, and public holidays— surge pricing may apply. If your trip is not urgent, waiting 15 to 30 minutes can sometimes bring the fare down.

If your payment does not go through, do not panic. This is a fairly common issue, especially when you are using cross-border mobile payments in mainland China for the first time. Here are the most common reasons and how to fix them.

Most common reasons

1. Your bank blocks the transaction for security reasons

This is one of the most common causes. Your card issuer may flag the charge as unusual overseas activity and decline it automatically.

Fix: Contact your bank before your trip and let them know you will be traveling in mainland China. Many banks also let you manage overseas transaction settings in their app. Make sure your card is enabled for international and online payments.

2. Alipay blocks the transaction during a security review

Alipay has its own risk-control system, and some transactions may be declined if the account or payment details cannot be verified successfully. Alipay’s help center notes that some payment failures happen because personal information does not pass its security verification.

Fix: Make sure your account has completed the required identity verification and that your card and account details are entered accurately.

3. A VPN causes a location mismatch

If you book or pay while a VPN is on, the app may detect a mismatch between your network location and your actual location, which can sometimes interfere with payment or verification.

Fix: Turn off your VPN before paying and use your normal mobile data, local SIM, eSIM, or hotel Wi-Fi instead.

4. Your name does not match across systems

If the name on your Alipay account does not match the name on your bank card, the payment may fail.

Fix: Make sure the cardholder name matches your verified account details as closely as possible.

5. You exceed the transaction limit

Official guidance for overseas visitors says the mobile-payment limit is USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 per year.

Fix: Most DiDi rides are far below that threshold, but if you are booking a long-distance ride or a premium vehicle, try a different card or a different payment method.

What to do when a payment fails

If all digital payment methods fail, you still have a few backup options:

Important: Do not wait until the last minute to test payment. It is a good idea to book a short ride on your first day in mainland China, such as from the airport to your hotel, so you can confirm everything works and still have time to fix any problems.

Step 1: Open the DiDi app, or access DiDi through WeChat or Alipay if you prefer using a mini-program.

(Photo source: International Services Shanghai.)

Step 2: If needed, switch the app language to English in the settings.

(Photo source: International Services Shanghai.)

Step 3: The app will usually detect your current location automatically. Enter your destination in the search box. Using the address in Simplified Chinese often works best.

Step 4: Check and adjust your pickup point and destination on the map if needed.

(Photo source: International Services Shanghai.)

Step 5: Choose your ride type, such as Taxi, Express, or Premier. For most travelers, Express is usually the most practical option.

Step 6: Tap Corfirm Request or the equivalent ride request button. The app will then match you with a nearby driver.

(Photo source: International Services Shanghai.)

Step 7: Review the driver’s details in the app, including the license plate number, vehicle type, and estimated arrival time.

(Photo source: International Services Shanghai.)

Step 8: If you need to contact the driver, use the in-app messaging or call feature. Some versions also include translation support.

Step 9: When the driver arrives, make sure the license plate number matches the one shown in the app before getting in.

Step 10: In some cases, the driver may ask you to confirm part of your phone number for security.

Step 11: Once the trip ends, the fare is usually charged automatically through your selected payment method, such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, or another linked payment option. In some Taxi rides, the final metered fare may be entered at the end of the trip before payment is processed.

To give you a quick sense of pricing, DiDi rides in mainland China are often quite affordable by international city standards. As a rough guide, a 30-minute Express ride in a major city may cost around CNY 30 to 50 (about USD 4.20 to 7.00), while a short trip may cost as little as CNY 7 to 10 (about USD 1.00 to 1.40).

Fares vary by city. Major first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are usually more expensive than smaller cities, but ride-hailing is still relatively inexpensive for many everyday trips.

DiDi offers several ride types, and the price difference can be significant. For most travelers, the most useful options are Carpool, Express, Taxi, and Premier.

For a trip of around 10 km in a major city:

This is one of the easiest things for travelers to overlook. DiDi pricing in mainland China does not work like a simple flat night surcharge. In practice, fares can go up in two main ways: fixed surcharges and dynamic pricing.

Peak hours

Peak-hour pricing usually applies during the morning and evening commute, although the exact timing varies by city.

In major cities, morning peak hours can start earlier than many travelers expect. If you are heading to the airport during rush hour, it is smart to leave extra time.

Late-night surcharges

Late-night pricing is also common, usually from 23:00 to 5:00 the next morning. Depending on the city and ride type, this may appear as a higher per-kilometer rate, a service surcharge, or another fixed adjustment.

Dynamic pricing

This is the part that can raise fares the most. When rider demand is much higher than driver supply, DiDi may apply dynamic pricing, and the fare can rise significantly.

The app usually shows the higher pricing clearly before you book. If your trip is flexible, waiting 15 to 30 minutes can sometimes make a big difference.

Money-saving tips

A simple example

For the same trip, the fare during off-peak hours can be much lower than during rush hour, late at night, or in bad weather. In practice, the difference can sometimes reach 2 to 3 times the off-peak fare.

DiDi supports service access across different regions, and the app can adjust based on where you are traveling. Availability and features may vary by location, so it is worth checking the local version of the service after you arrive.

If you have special requirements—such as traveling with a pet or needing extra assistance—you may be able to add a note when placing your booking. Availability depends on the city and ride type.

If you want to plan ahead, DiDi also offers a scheduled ride feature in some cities, allowing you to book in advance.

If you do not have a mainland Chinese bank card, the easiest options are usually Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a supported international bank card linked through one of those platforms.

DiDi supports Simplified Chinese and English, and some versions may also offer additional language options depending on the platform and region.

Before getting in, always check that the license plate number and driver details match what is shown in the app. During the ride, you can also follow the route in real time inside the app.

If you are concerned about detours, keep an eye on the route shown in the app and compare it with the estimated fare and travel time. If something looks off, message the driver through the app.

If you need a ride at a specific time—especially for an airport transfer, an early train, or a late-night departure—booking in advance can be a useful option.

This is one of the comparisons travelers most often find confusing. Put simply, DiDi is a ride-hailing platform, while Amap is a comparison and booking platform.

The key difference

DiDi is a full ride-hailing service with its own dispatch system, pricing, and driver network.

Amap Ride-Hailing is an aggregator. It does not operate its own driver fleet. Instead, it pulls in ride options from multiple platforms, allowing you to compare prices and availability in one place.

Quick comparison

When to use DiDi

When to use Amap

For many travelers, the best approach is simple: use DiDi for convenience, and check Amap when you want to compare fares.

Caocao Mobility is another major ride-hailing platform in China. It is often known for a cleaner, quieter experience, with many rides using electric vehicles.

Quick comparison

What the experience is like

Compared with a typical DiDi ride, Caocao may feel:

One possible downside is that some vehicles may have less luggage space than larger DiDi options. If you are traveling with several bags, a Premier ride, business vehicle, or larger car category may be a better choice.

For most international travelers, the best strategy is not to rely on just one app. Different platforms are useful in different situations.

DiDi can make getting around mainland China much easier. Once your account and payment method are set up, booking rides is usually quick, simple, and reliable.