Transport
How do I use DiDi without a Chinese phone number?
Short answer
You can register DiDi with an international phone number and switch the app to English, or skip registration and use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay with your bound foreign card. Set your destination in English or as a saved pin, and expect messages from the driver in Chinese.
Two ways in
- DiDi app: registers with an international number, has an English interface
- Alipay or WeChat mini-program: uses the wallet account you already have, no separate signup, pays with the bound card
The part that actually goes wrong
Finding the pickup point, not the car. Large stations, malls and airports have several exits and the driver will not circle. Pin your location manually instead of trusting GPS, which drifts indoors.
Drivers often send a message in Chinese when they arrive. A short reply phrase card saves the pickup.
Paying
- Bind a foreign card in the app or pay through the wallet mini-program
- Cash is still accepted, but drivers rarely carry change for large notes
- Airport and late-night trips may carry a surcharge
Related questions
Is DiDi available in English?
The app has an English interface. Coverage of English in the mini-program route is thinner, but the map makes it workable.
Can I pay with cash?
Yes, but have small notes ready.
What about taxis?
Street taxis still work and take cash or QR. Have your destination written in Chinese — the address in characters is the reliable part.
Related guides
Verified 2026-09-11. Policies and booking channels change — check the official channel before you rely on it.
Get ChinaPass — these answers offline, with the phrase cards that work at the counter when your data does not.