How to Use Didi in China | Step-by-Step Guide for Travelers

Travelling to China from Malaysia? Discover how to use DiDi, China’s Grab/Uber alternative. Book rides in English, pay with Malaysian cards, and travel safely.

This guide will show you how to:

• ✅ Download and set up the app in English
• ✅ Pay cashless with Visa/Mastercard/Alipay
• ✅ Book cars, bikes, buses and more
• ✅ Avoid common mistakes

What is DiDi?

DiDi is China’s most popular ride-hailing app, similar to Grab in Malaysia.

• Works in most big Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.).
• Accepts international phone numbers.
• Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, Alipay, Apple Pay.
• You can book cars, e-bikes, buses, and even chauffeur services.
• English interface with auto-translation helps you communicate with drivers.

Perfect for Malaysians who want hassle-free, cashless transport in China.

How to Use DiDi App - Download & Setup DiDi

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1. Search for “DiDi – Ride Hailing in China” in App Store/Google Play. Be careful of fake copies.
2. Register with your Malaysian phone number (foreign numbers work fine).
3. Go to Settings → Language → English.
4. Enable location (GPS) for accurate pickup.

How to Use DiDi App - Payment Settings

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The Easiest Way: Auto-Pay

• Go to Me → Wallet → Payment Methods.
• Turn on Auto-Deduct so fares are charged automatically.

Payment Options That Work for Malaysians

• Visa / Mastercard / Diners Club → works most of the time.
• Alipay (Tour Pass) → prepaid balance just for tourists, useful if banks block your card.
• Apple Pay → also accepted.

Can I Pay Cash?

• Rarely. Some drivers may accept, but confirm first:
  Say “Kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn ma?” (Can I pay cash?)
• Safer to stick with cashless auto-pay.

✅Instead of juggling VPNs or hunting for SIM cards, China eSIM lets you stay connected to apps like ​Google Maps, Instagram, LINE and more from the moment you land.

How to Use DiDi App - Booking Process

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1. Check your pickup pin – some areas have multiple entrances or duplicate places.

2. Enter your destination in English or Pinyin (e.g. “Beijing Railway Station” or “Beijing Huochezhan”).

Choose your ride:

• DiDi Express (快车) – Cheapest, like GrabCar.
• Premier (专车) – Nicer car, free water, good for airport trips.
• Luxe (豪华车) – Mercedes/BMW, luxury service.
• Express Pool (拼车) – Share ride, cheaper.

3. Tap Confirm Request.

4. Screenshot the car plate number and double-check before boarding.

5. Some drivers may ask for the last 4 digits of your phone number to confirm—it helps to have it written down.

How to Use DiDi App - Cancellation Rules​

How to Avoid Cancellation Fees

• Cancel within 2 minutes = free.
• After that, cancellation fees start at ¥3–5 (RM2–3).
• If driver cancels, just rebook another ride.

The “Driver Cancelled on Me” Rage

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It happens. Maybe your pickup spot is a maze, or they got a better fare. Don’t take it personally—just rebook and wave extra enthusiastically next time.

How to Use DiDi App - Safety & Tips for Malaysians

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Credit: Unsplash

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1. Match the plate number before you get in. If it doesn’t match, cancel.
2. Use Share Trip to send ride details to friends/family.
3. In case of emergency, tap the SOS button—alerts local police.
4. Use auto-translate chat to tell drivers where you are. Example: “I’m wearing a red T-shirt near Exit B.”
5. Lost something? Use the Lost Item feature in the app, and offer a small reward (¥20–50) for quicker response.

How to Use DiDi on Alipay & WeChat

Don’t want to install another app? You can use DiDi inside Alipay or WeChat:

How to Book DiDi Rides in Alipay ​

​Step 1: Find the DiDi Mini-Program​

• Open Alipay → Tap ​​“Transport”​​ (look for the car icon).
• Choose for ​​“Taxi”​​ → DiDi’ll pop up as a service.

Step 2: Book Your Ride​

• Same as the app: Enter pickup/destination, choose car type (Express/Premier), confirm.
• ​Bonus: Payment is automatic through your Alipay balance or linked card. No setup needed!

How to Use DiDi in WeChat​​

• Go to WeChat → ​Discover​ → ​Mini Programs​ → Search ​​“滴滴出行”​​ (DiDi Chuxing), paste 滴滴 in Chinese! You can't search with didi. Pay with ​WeChat Pay​ seamlessly.
• Use WeChat’s ​​“Translate”​​ tool (screenshot the page → tap “Translate”).
• ​Pro tip: Save these characters for car types: 快车 (Express), 专车 (Premier).

​How to Use DiDi - Choose Car Type

Picking the right ride on DiDi is like choosing between instant noodles (cheap and reliable) and a fancy hotpot (splurge-worthy). Here’s the lowdown:

​Express (快车)​​

• ​What you get: Basic cars (think Toyota/Hyundai), no frills.
• ​Price: Cheapest. A 30-minute ride in Beijing ≈ ¥35-50.
• ​Best for: Solo travelers, short trips, or when you’re pretending to be on a budget.

​Premier (专车)​​

• ​What you get: Cleaner cars (often Buick or VW), free water, quieter drivers.
• ​Price: 20-30% pricier than Express. Same ride ≈ ¥60-80.
• ​Best for: Airport runs, business trips, or when you need AC to survive summer.

​Luxe (豪华车)​​

• ​What you get: Mercedes-Benz, umbrellas, phone chargers, drivers in suits.
• ​Price: 2-3x Express. Flex for special occasions.
• ​Best for: Impressing your date or drowning in luxury after a brutal flight delay.

​Express Pool (拼车)​​

• ​What you get: Shared rides with strangers (awkward silence included).
• ​Price: 30-50% off Express.
• ​Best for: Saving cash when you’re not in a hurry.

​Pro Tip: After selecting a car type, ​swipe left​ to see all options. Some cities even offer vans or EVs!

​How Much Does DiDi Cost

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DiDi’s pricing is straightforward, but a few quirks can catch travelers off guard. Here’s what you need to know:

• ​Base Fare: Starts at ​​¥10-15​ (varies by city).
• ​Per Kilometer: ​​¥2-4​ (cheaper than traditional taxis).
• ​Per Minute: ​​¥0.5-1​ during traffic jams.
• ​Surge Pricing: Avoid ​7-9 AM​ and ​5-7 PM​ (weekdays) when fares spike up to 2x.

​Real-World Example:
A 20-minute, 8km ride in Beijing:

• ​Express: ¥30-40
• ​Premier: ¥50-70
• ​Luxe: ¥100+

​How to Use DiDi - More than just Taxi

Source from Unsplash

DiDi isn’t just cars. Think of it as your ​all-in-one transport cheat code:

​Didi Bike (青桔)​

Bright green e-bikes/scooters. ​​¥1.5 for 30 minutes.

Perfect for short hops (subway station → hotel).

​DiDi Bus

Fixed routes, ​​¥2-5 rides. Use Google Translate to decode stops.

Pro tip: Great for cross-city adventures on a budget.

​Designated Drivers (代驾)​

Drank too much? A driver arrives to drive ​YOUR car​ home. ​​¥100-200.

​DiDi Luxe

Mercedes-Benz rides with bottled water, phone chargers, and drivers in suits. ​Flex for special occasions.

​International Rides

Pre-book rides in ​Japan, Australia, Mexico, etc., if your trip extends beyond China.

Final Tips for Malaysians

✅ Download DiDi before your trip.
✅ Set up payment in advance—Alipay Tour Pass is a good backup.
✅ Avoid rush hour (7–9 AM & 5–7 PM).
✅ Always check car plate before boarding.
✅ Use English + Pinyin for destinations.

With DiDi, Malaysians can travel around China almost as easily as using Grab at home—minus the language stress.

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