What You'll Learn
Didi is available in every major Chinese city and works in English. It's significantly cheaper than taxis in most cities and gives you price transparency before you book.
- Download and register Didi with your international phone number
- Set Didi to English and link your foreign credit card
- Book a ride and find your driver
- Communicate with drivers using our phrase guide
- Choose the right Didi service type for your trip
Download & Register Didi
Download Didi
Didi is available globally. Download the international version:
- iOS: App Store → search "Didi — Mobility for Europe" (the international version)
- Android: Google Play → "DiDi-Ride Hailing" or download from didiglobal.com
Screenshot: Didi app home screen in English
Register
- Open Didi and tap Sign Up
- Enter your international phone number
- Enter the verification code sent by SMS
- Set your name (as it appears on your passport — drivers will see this)
- Upload a profile photo (optional but helps drivers identify you)
Download the international version (DiDi-Ride Hailing) if your app store offers it. If you end up with the Chinese version, the interface is largely in Chinese — but this guide still helps you navigate it. The service types and payment methods are the same.
Set Up English & Payment
Switch to English
Didi's international version supports English. To check or change:
- Tap Profile (bottom right)
- Tap Settings (gear icon)
- Look for Language or 语言
- Select English
Screenshot: Didi language settings screen
Link Your Credit Card
- Go to Profile → Payment Methods
- Tap Add Payment Method
- Select Credit/Debit Card
- Enter your card number and details
- Supported: Visa, Mastercard
If you prefer to pay cash, you can select "Cash" as your payment method when booking. However, carrying the exact fare in RMB is more practical than using cards for Didi — some drivers prefer cash and may ask.
Book Your First Ride
Setting Your Location
- Open Didi — you'll see a map with your current location
- The pickup point is automatically detected (verify it's correct)
- Tap the destination bar at the top
- Enter your destination address (in English) — Didi will suggest matches as you type
- Select your destination from the list
Screenshot: Didi destination entry screen showing address search
Choosing a Service Type
Didi offers several ride options:
- Express (快车) — most affordable, like a regular taxi. ¥8-25 for most city trips. Best choice for most travelers.
- Taxi — book an official licensed taxi. Slightly more expensive but more reliable in some areas.
- Premier — mid-range sedan, cleaner cars, more space. ¥30-80.
- Luxury / Black — premium cars for business travel. ¥80+.
Express is the most cost-effective and widely available. Drivers are generally professional and vehicles are clean. Don't overpay for Premier unless you need the extra space or a specific pickup time.
Confirming Your Ride
- Review the estimated fare shown on screen
- Confirm your pickup location on the map
- Select your payment method (card or cash)
- Tap Confirm
- Didi matches you with a nearby driver — you'll see their name, rating, photo, and car details
Screenshot: Didi driver confirmation screen with car details
Finding Your Driver
At the Pickup Point
- Wait at the pickup location you specified (not somewhere nearby — be at the exact spot)
- When the driver arrives, you'll get a notification
- The app shows you the driver's route and estimated arrival time
- Watch for their car — Didi shows the license plate number
- Confirm the car color, plate, and driver's face matches before getting in
Politely ask the driver "是去[your name]的吗？" (Are you for [your name]?) before getting in. Some pickup points are busy — don't assume the first car you see is yours.
Communicating with Your Driver
Most drivers don't speak English. Use Didi's in-app chat (tap Contact) or show your destination screen. Here are the key phrases:
Didi has a built-in translation feature in its chat. Tap Contact → type in English → Didi will translate it for the driver in Chinese. Not perfect, but works for basic communication.
Didi Tips & Troubleshooting
Didi vs. Traditional Taxi
- Didi: Fixed price shown before booking, GPS tracked, payment automatic, receipt in-app
- Taxi: Meter-based, some drivers don't use meters honestly, cash or Alipay only
Didi is almost always the better choice for foreigners — transparent pricing and safety tracking.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel:
- Free cancellation: within 3 minutes of booking or before the driver accepts
- Small fee: if you cancel after the driver is en route (¥2-5)
Ride Not Found?
- Didi may not be available in very rural areas — use a local taxi or contact your hotel for a driver
- Some cities require Didi drivers to have local licenses — availability varies by city
- During peak hours (rush hour), rides may be harder to find — wait a few minutes and retry
Safety Features
- Share your trip with a friend: Didi lets you send your real-time location to a contact
- All rides are GPS tracked — your family can follow along
- Emergency button in the app connects you to Didi's safety center
After each ride, you'll rate the driver 1-5 stars. Most drivers are rated 4.8+. Drivers can also rate you — maintaining a good passenger rating helps ensure good service. If you have a bad experience, report it through the app.
Need eSIM Data for Didi?
You'll need Google Maps or a good navigation app to see where you're going. Get our complete China Survival Kit with offline maps setup, video tutorials, and 30GB eSIM data.