DiDi & Ride-Hailing in China: A Foreigner's Guide
China's answer to Uber is DiDi (滴滴出行), and the good news is that foreigners can use it with an international phone number, a passport, and a foreign credit card. Here's how to set it up and ride like a local.
Which App to Download
You have three good options — pick whichever fits your setup:
- DiDi Rider (international app, orange logo): the English-first version available in app stores outside China. Built for visitors, accepts foreign phone numbers and international cards.
- DiDi main app / 滴滴出行: the domestic app also has a full English interface (Settings → Language → English) and the widest coverage. If you already have it from a previous trip, just switch the language.
- Mini-programs inside Alipay or WeChat: search "滴滴出行" in either app. No separate download needed, and payment runs through your Alipay/WeChat Pay balance. The easiest option if you already use Alipay.
Aggregator platforms like 高德地图 (Amap) and 美团打车 (Meituan) bundle multiple ride companies and are popular with locals, but they generally assume a Chinese mobile number and Chinese payment setup — stick with DiDi as a foreigner unless you have a local SIM.
Registering as a Foreigner: Step by Step
- Download before you fly. Install the app while you still have reliable access to your home app store.
- Register with your home phone number. Select your country code (+1, +44, +61, etc.) and enter the SMS verification code — keep international roaming on just long enough to receive it, or register on airport Wi-Fi.
- Complete real-name verification. Chinese regulations require it for all ride-hailing passengers. Go to Me → Account → Identity Verification, choose Passport, photograph the passport photo page, and complete the selfie check. Approval usually takes minutes, occasionally up to 24 hours — do this at least a day before you need a ride.
- Add a payment method. Link a Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or JCB directly in the app, or pay through Alipay/WeChat Pay with a linked foreign card.
Ride Types: Express, Premier, Pool, Taxi, Hitch
- 快车 (Express): the standard everyday ride. Cheapest dedicated car option.
- 专车 (Premier): nicer cars and professional drivers. Worth it for business or airport runs with luggage.
- 拼车 (ExpressPool): shared ride with other passengers heading the same way. Cheapest, but expect detours and a few extra minutes.
- 出租车 (Taxi): hails a licensed street taxi through the app, charged on the meter. Useful in smaller cities where Express coverage is thin.
- 顺风车 (Hitch): DiDi's long-distance carpool — drivers already heading that way share costs with passengers. It's strictly non-commercial: drivers face daily order limits and fixed routes, and both sides complete safety verification. Availability varies by city and it's best booked in advance, not on demand.
Paying for Rides
DiDi is cashless. Fares are charged automatically to your in-app card or e-wallet at the end of the trip — no need to handle cash or negotiate. (Street taxis you flag down yourself still take cash, but anything booked through DiDi is digital.)
Airport and Train Station Pickups
Big airports and railway stations have designated 网约车上车点 (ride-hailing pickup zones) — usually on a specific parking level or in a marked lane outside arrivals. The app will show you the exact pickup point with walking directions; follow it rather than waiting at the curb where you exited. At mega-stations like Beijing West or Shanghai Hongqiao, allow an extra 10–15 minutes to reach the zone, and message the driver through the app's auto-translating chat if you're lost.
Tips for a Smooth Ride
- Match the license plate. Always check the plate number (车牌号) before getting in — it's shown prominently in the app.
- Use the in-app chat. Messages auto-translate between English and Chinese, so you can tell the driver "I'm at exit B" without a phone call.
- Share your trip. Send the live trip link to a friend, especially for late-night rides.
- Rate honestly. Ratings keep the system working; low ratings for genuinely bad service are normal and expected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
No. A foreign number works for registration as long as you can receive the SMS code. A Chinese SIM makes life easier (drivers can call you, and some features are smoother), but it isn't required.
Can I pay cash?
Not through DiDi — all app rides are cashless. If you want to pay cash, hail a street taxi directly.
Is 顺风车 (Hitch) available in every city?
No — coverage varies, and it's a scheduled carpool rather than an on-demand ride. Check the Hitch tab in your app for your route; if nothing shows, use Express or intercity buses instead.
Sources
- https://china-travel.org/how-to-use-didi-china/
- https://www.trip.com/guide/transport/how-to-use-didi-in-china.html
- https://mychina.guide/blog/how-to-use-didi-china-without-chinese-number
- https://www.biaodianfu.com/research-report-on-chinas-ride-sharing-industry-in-2026/