How to Take a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Car in China
In China, taking a car is not only about downloading DiDi. The hard parts are choosing the right ride method, setting a precise pickup point, handling driver calls in Chinese, checking the plate number, and keeping payment inside the app when possible. This guide shows the simple route for foreigners who do not speak Chinese.
Difficulty
Medium
Time needed
10-20 minutes
Updated
May 14, 2026
Start here
Quick answer
- For most foreigners, the easiest car options are DiDi app, DiDi/ride-hailing inside Alipay, and Amap ride-hailing. Street taxis are useful only when you can show a Chinese destination and handle payment.
- Use DiDi app when you want the clearest ride-hailing flow, Alipay when your payment is already working there, and Amap when you found the destination or pickup point on the map first.
- At airports, train stations, malls, hospitals, and campuses, the pickup point matters more than the app. Use official ride-hailing zones, hotel lobbies, main gates, or visible roadside landmarks.
- Before getting in, always match the plate number, car model/color, driver information, and pickup point.
Requirements
- Amap, DiDi, or another ride-hailing entry point available on your phone.
- Working phone number and mobile data.
- A payment method already tested in China, plus a cash or card backup for taxis where possible.
- Destination name, address, or map pin in Chinese if possible.
- Hotel, apartment, school, office, or venue entrance saved as a precise map point.
Visual manual
Step-by-step guide
Choose between DiDi, Alipay, Amap, and taxis
Use DiDi app when you want the most direct ride-hailing flow. Use Alipay Taxi/DiDi when Alipay is already your main payment app. Use Amap ride-hailing when you found the destination or exact pickup point in Amap. Use a street taxi only when you can show a Chinese address and have payment backup.
If traffic is heavy or the route follows a simple metro line, metro may still be faster and less stressful.
Book directly in the DiDi app
Open DiDi, confirm pickup, enter the destination, choose the normal ride type unless you need a larger or premium car, check the estimate, then confirm the request. Keep the app open so you can see driver location, plate, route, and payment status.
If registration or payment fails, try Alipay Taxi/DiDi or ask hotel staff to help with a taxi.
Use ride-hailing inside Alipay
Open Alipay and look for Transport, Travel, Taxi, Ride-hailing, or the DiDi service entry. Enter pickup and destination, choose the car option, then pay through Alipay. This is useful when Alipay already works with your foreign card.
Menu names change by app version and city. If you cannot find Taxi, search for DiDi or 滴滴 inside Alipay.
Use Amap ride-hailing when the map is already open
Open Amap, search the destination, confirm the exact entrance or gate, then look for taxi/打车 or ride-hailing options from the route screen. Amap is helpful when the hard part is finding the exact map pin, but the ride flow may be more Chinese-first.
Do not tap confirm unless pickup, destination, car type, and payment are clear.
Set destination and pickup carefully
Use Chinese place names, map pins, official venue pages, hotel booking addresses, or WeChat location shares. At hotels, use the lobby or main gate. At airports, train stations, malls, campuses, and hospitals, use the official ride-hailing area, gate number, or visible roadside landmark.
At transport hubs, look for 网约车, ride-hailing, online car-hailing, or app taxi pickup signs.
Match the car before entering
After matching, confirm the plate number, car model, color, driver photo/name, and pickup pin. Do not get into a car just because the driver waves, says your destination, or stops near the pin.
Some drivers may ask for the last four digits of your phone number or call to confirm you are the correct passenger.
Handle driver calls and messages
Drivers often call or message in Chinese when they cannot find you. Keep messages short. Send your gate, lobby, hotel name, or landmark in Chinese. Use translation if needed, but avoid long explanations.
Useful phrases: 我在酒店门口 (I am at the hotel entrance), 我在3号门 (I am at Gate 3), 我在路边 (I am by the roadside).
Track the route and keep payment inside the app
During the ride, follow the route in the app. At arrival, confirm the trip is complete and payment went through. If there are tolls or extra charges, review the details in the app instead of paying a large cash extra without record.
For street taxis, ask to use the meter and show your destination in Chinese. Keep a payment backup.
Troubleshooting
Common problems and fixes
- English destination does not match the map: copy the Chinese name or use a saved map pin.
- Driver cannot find you: move to a gate, lobby, official pickup zone, or visible roadside landmark and send the location in Chinese.
- Driver calls in Chinese: use translation, send short text, or ask hotel/staff to answer.
- Pickup at airport/train station is confusing: follow official ride-hailing pickup signs instead of waiting at arrivals.
- Foreign-card payment fails: try Alipay/WeChat Pay, another ride entry point, or a taxi with a payment backup.
- Driver asks for extra money: ask for it to be added in the app or review the fee details before paying.
- Someone else gets into your taxi near a taxi rank: check the car and plate; if the ride is wrong, cancel or contact support.
Important warnings
- Do not get into a car until the plate number, car model/color, and driver match the app.
- Avoid paying large off-app extras. Ask for tolls or fees to be handled in the app when possible.
- Airport and train-station pickups often require walking to an official ride-hailing area.
- Street taxis can work, but destination and payment are harder if you do not speak Chinese.
- App availability, foreign-card support, and login requirements can change by account, phone number, and city.
Best route and backup plan
Recommended route
- For most foreigners: try the DiDi app first, because it gives the clearest ride request and driver details.
- If DiDi payment setup is annoying but Alipay already works, use Taxi/Ride-hailing inside Alipay.
- If you are already using Amap to find the exact destination or entrance, use Amap ride-hailing only after checking pickup, destination, and payment carefully.
- For airports, train stations, and large malls: use official ride-hailing pickup zones or ask staff where to stand.
- For your first ride from a hotel: ask the front desk to help confirm the destination and pickup point.
Backup options
- Ask hotel, school, office, or restaurant staff to write the destination and pickup point in Chinese.
- Use Amap to confirm the exact road, gate, building entrance, or ride-hailing pickup zone.
- Switch to metro if traffic is heavy or pickup at a hub is confusing.
- Walk to a simpler pickup point such as hotel lobby, main gate, or a visible roadside landmark.
- Use a street taxi only when you can show a clear Chinese destination and have a workable payment backup.
Other ways to pay
- Alipay Taxi/DiDi: good if your Alipay foreign-card setup is already working.
- Amap ride-hailing: useful if you already found the destination in Amap, but the flow may be more Chinese-first.
- Hotel/staff help: best when pickup is confusing or you cannot handle a driver call.
- Street taxi: acceptable for simple trips when you can show a Chinese destination and have payment backup.
- Metro: often better during peak traffic or when travelling between stations on a direct line.
FAQ
Can foreigners use DiDi in China?
Yes, many foreigners use DiDi in China through the DiDi app or ride-hailing entry points inside Alipay or WeChat. Setup, payment, and login requirements can vary, so test the app before you need an urgent ride.
Can I call a car from Alipay instead of downloading DiDi?
Often yes. In Alipay, look for Transport, Travel, Taxi, Ride-hailing, or a DiDi service entry. This can be easier if your Alipay payment method is already working, but menu names vary by app version and city.
Can I call a taxi from Amap?
Yes, Amap has ride-hailing/taxi options in many places. It is useful when you already found the exact destination or pickup pin in Amap, but the ride flow may be more Chinese-first, so check pickup, destination, car type, and payment before confirming.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use DiDi?
Not always, but a reachable phone number helps because drivers may call or message to confirm pickup. A Chinese number is especially useful for longer stays and local services.
Is DiDi easier than hailing a taxi on the street?
Usually yes for foreigners. The app lets you set the destination, see the route and fare estimate, match the plate number, and pay electronically without explaining the address verbally.
What should I do if the driver calls me in Chinese?
Send a short Chinese location message such as your hotel entrance, gate number, or landmark. Use translation, ask nearby staff to help, or move to a simpler pickup point.
How do I avoid getting into the wrong car?
Match the plate number first, then car model/color and driver details. Do not enter a car just because it stops near you or the driver says your destination.
Can I use a foreign card for ride-hailing?
Foreign-card support depends on the app flow, account, card network, issuing bank, and current policy. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as backup before relying on a ride.
What if the driver asks for extra money?
Small tolls or parking fees may appear on some routes. Ask for extra fees to be added through the app and review the trip details. Avoid large cash/off-app payments without a clear reason.
Should I use a street taxi in China?
Street taxis can work, especially from official taxi ranks, but they are harder if you cannot speak Chinese. Show the destination in Chinese and confirm payment method before relying on one.
Where should I wait at the airport or train station?
Follow signs for ride-hailing, online car-hailing, app taxi, or 网约车. Do not assume the driver can stop directly at arrivals or at a random roadside point.
Amap
A Chinese map app for finding stores, planning metro routes, checking addresses, and navigating daily life.