DiDi ChinaOpen and test your taxi app before departure- DiDi via AlipayUseful if you already have Alipay ready
- DiDi via WeChatBackup if you use WeChat
- Airport transferArrange transport in advance for late arrival or heavy luggage
- Hotel addressShow your Chinese address to a driver
- Taxi fallbackWhat to do if the app, internet or payment fails
Start free China checklist China pre-departure check
Taxi in China: prepare DiDi, airport transfer and your hotel address
Going to China? Prepare your taxi option before departure. Set up DiDi, check your payment method, save your hotel address in Chinese and prepare a backup in case taxi apps, internet or payment do not work.
Start free China checklist
Free to use · No account needed · Start in under 5 minutes
1. Why taxis in China take preparation
Airports and large train stations can be crowded. Pickup locations are not always obvious, and you do not want to figure out the right app or payment method after arrival.
A taxi app is useful only if your internet, account, payment method and hotel destination are ready.
That is why a Chinese hotel address matters. You need to be able to show your destination even if you cannot explain it in English.
Use DiDi as your main taxi option, but also prepare alternatives such as DiDi via Alipay or WeChat, airport transfer or a hotel address card for a regular taxi.
If you arrive late, travel with heavy luggage or visit China for the first time, arranging transport in advance can make arrival much easier.
2. What to prepare before departure
Install DiDi China or open DiDi via Alipay before departure, so you do not need to search for the right option after arrival.
Check whether you can log in or access DiDi via DiDi, Alipay or WeChat. Do not wait until you are standing at the airport.
Check whether your taxi option can use Alipay, WeChat Pay or a linked card.
Search your hotel as a destination in advance. Preferably use the hotel name or Chinese address from your Safety Pack.
Look up the route from your airport or station to your hotel. Pay attention to pickup location, travel time and possible tolls or extra costs.
Make sure you can show your hotel address in Chinese if DiDi, internet or payment does not work.
If you arrive late, have heavy luggage or want to avoid taxi stress, you can arrange an airport transfer in advance.
3. The most important taxi checks for China
Use these checks to prepare your taxi option, payment route, arrival route and fallback before departure.
- 1Open DiDi or another taxi app
Check before departure whether you can open DiDi China, DiDi via Alipay or DiDi via WeChat.
- 2Check phone number and login
Make sure SMS verification, account access or mini-app access does not become a problem after arrival.
- 3Check payment method
Check whether Alipay, WeChat Pay or card payment is available for your taxi option.
- 4Search your hotel as destination
Search your hotel in the taxi app or map app. Use the Chinese address where possible.
- 5Check your arrival route
Check travel time, pickup location and the route from airport or station to your hotel.
- 6Create a hotel address card
Create a card with large Chinese text that you can show directly to a driver.
- 7Prepare a taxi phrase
Prepare a short Chinese phrase, such as: "Please take me to this address" or "Please call the hotel."
- 8Consider airport transfer
Arriving late or want to avoid taxi stress? Check whether a pre-booked transfer to your hotel is useful.
Want to check this step by step?
Start free China checklistStart the free China checklist and prepare your taxi option, hotel address, payment method and Safety Pack before departure.
No account needed · Start in under 5 minutes4. What to do if DiDi or your taxi app does not work
Taxi apps need internet. Check mobile data, eSIM, roaming or Wi-Fi.
Use the DiDi app, DiDi via Alipay or DiDi via WeChat as a backup.
Check whether Alipay, WeChat Pay or your linked card is available.
Show your Chinese hotel address to a driver or service desk staff.
If the address is unclear, ask someone to call the hotel using the phone number in your Safety Pack.
If the app does not work, fall back to a regular taxi, hotel help or a pre-booked transfer.
5. Useful taxi phrases
请带我去这个地址。
Please take me to this address.
请帮我打电话给酒店。
Please call the hotel for me.
我不会说中文。
I do not speak Chinese.
我需要去这个酒店。
I need to go to this hotel.
可以用支付宝吗？
Can I pay with Alipay?
可以用现金吗？
Can I pay with cash?
A transfer is optional. You do not need to book a transfer to complete the China checklist.
6. This taxi check is part of the full China checklist
The full checklist helps you not only with taxis, but also with internet, payments, apps, hotel address, departure checks and emergency preparation.
Internet Payments Apps Hotel address Safety Pack
7. Frequently asked questions
Which taxi app do you use in China?+
DiDi China is an important ride-hailing option for travelers. You can also use DiDi via Alipay or WeChat if that fits your setup better.
Should I install DiDi before departure?+
Yes. Install or open DiDi before departure and check login, phone number and payment method.
Can I use DiDi with a foreign card?+
DiDi may support international bank cards, but availability can vary by account, card, app version and time. Test your payment method before departure.
Is a regular taxi enough?+
Sometimes, but do not rely only on explaining your destination in English. Make sure your Chinese hotel address and hotel phone number are available offline.
When is an airport transfer useful?+
For late arrival, heavy luggage, first-time China trips or if you want to avoid taxi app stress after arrival.
Do I need my hotel address in Chinese?+
Yes, it is strongly recommended. A Chinese hotel address helps with taxis, DiDi, hotel front desks and emergency situations.
Does Departure Ready store my taxi or payment details?+
No. Departure Ready does not store DiDi login details, payment details, card details or ride details. You use taxi and payment apps yourself.
Can I go directly to the taxi check?+
This landing page explains taxis in China, but the main action always starts the full China checklist. That helps you avoid preparing only transport while forgetting internet, payment, hotel address or your Safety Pack.
8. Sources
Information based on official sources, app terms or provider information can change. Always check current app information, terms, payment options and booking details before departure.
Ready to prepare your taxi option for China?
Start the free China checklist and prepare DiDi, your payment method, hotel address and Safety Pack step by step.