DiDi
China's dominant ride-hailing app, also big in Latin America. China uses a separate app (DiDi China) from the DiDi Rider app used everywhere else.
What DiDi is
Didi is the largest ride-hailing platform in China, and its DiDi China app offers an English-language interface aimed at international visitors (DiDi Rider, a separate app, covers Latin America and other overseas markets). Travelers reach for it because hailing a taxi off the street in China is difficult without Mandarin, while Didi lets you set pickup and drop-off on a map and pay through the app.
What it does for travelers
- ✓Book taxis and private cars with pickup and destination pinned on a map
- ✓English-language interface for non-Chinese-speaking visitors
- ✓In-app messaging with auto-translation between you and the driver
- ✓Multiple ride tiers from budget taxis to more comfortable cars
- ✓Estimated fares shown before you confirm a trip
Good to know
- Requires a working data connection and a verified phone number to sign up
- Linking an international credit card works for many travelers, though some find adding Alipay or WeChat Pay more reliable inside China
- The app needs an internet connection to hail and track rides; it is not usable offline
- Service is concentrated in Chinese cities; coverage and English support vary outside major metros
Travel tips
- Type or save your destination in Chinese characters when possible, since drivers navigate using the Chinese address
- Use the in-app chat translation rather than calling the driver if you don't speak Mandarin
- Have a backup payment method linked in case an international card is declined
- Confirm the license plate shown in the app matches the arriving car before getting in
When to reach for it
Use Didi when you need a metered, trackable ride in China and can't communicate a destination to a street taxi. It is the default choice where Uber doesn't operate.
Where we list DiDi
8 destinations, with what it's good for in each.
- 🇨🇳China (mainland)The Uber of China. Install the separate DiDi China app (English interface), or use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat.
- 🇲🇽MexicoOften cheaper than Uber in Mexico City.
- 🇨🇴ColombiaOften cheapest option.
- 🇨🇱ChileOften cheapest.
- 🇨🇷Costa RicaOften cheaper.
- 🇵🇦PanamaOften cheaper.
- 🇩🇴Dominican RepublicOften cheaper.
- 🇪🇨EcuadorCompetitive fares in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca; frequently the cheapest option.
DiDi — frequently asked
Can I use Didi in China without speaking Chinese?
Yes. The DiDi China app provides an English interface and auto-translates chat with the driver, so you can book and communicate without Mandarin.
What payment methods does Didi accept for travelers?
Many travelers link an international credit card, while others add Alipay or WeChat Pay for more reliable in-country payments. Linking a payment method before your trip avoids problems at pickup.
Does Didi work outside China?
Yes, but through a different app. DiDi Rider covers Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and other overseas markets, while the DiDi China app only works in China, so install the one that matches your destination.
Last reviewed in September 2026. Pack My Apps is independent — DiDididn't pay to be listed and the download links aren't affiliate links. Features, fees and country coverage change, so confirm anything your trip depends on in the app itself. Report an error.