Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Getting a taxi in China in 2026: DiDi in English, taxi meters, airport queues, payment, common scams and when the metro is faster.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · policies change — confirm the official sources before travel
Taxis in Chinese cities are cheap and plentiful, but the street-hail experience is not designed for visitors who do not speak Chinese. DiDi — China’s ride-hailing app — has an English interface and integrates with Alipay, and it solves most of the language problem. This guide covers DiDi setup, metered taxis, airport rules, payment and the few scams worth knowing.
Key points
The details that matter
Set up DiDi before you need it
Download DiDi (滴滴出行) or open the DiDi mini-app inside Alipay. Register with your home phone number, add a payment method — Alipay, WeChat Pay or an international card — and set English in the app. Enter the destination by searching the English name or pasting the Chinese address; the app translates the pickup and drop-off for the driver. You will see the price before booking for most car types. Choose “DiDi Express” for the cheapest, “Premier” for a nicer car, and “Taxi” to hail a metered cab through the app.
- English interface is available in the main DiDi app
- Alipay mini-app avoids a separate registration
- Pin the pickup carefully — large stations have multiple exits
- In-app chat translates between you and the driver
Street taxis and meters
Official taxis are plentiful and metered. The flagfall varies by city — roughly ¥13–16 in Beijing and Shanghai, with a per-kilometre charge and a night surcharge. Drivers may not speak English; show the Chinese address. Keep the receipt (发票, fapiao) — it has the taxi company and plate number, which helps if you leave something behind. Pay by mobile QR or cash; foreign credit cards are rarely accepted in cabs. If a driver refuses the meter or quotes a flat fare, get out and take another taxi.
Airports and stations
Use the official taxi rank, usually signposted in English and located outside arrivals. Ignore touts who approach you inside the terminal offering “taxi” or “airport transfer” — these are illegal or overpriced. At Beijing Capital and Daxing, Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao, and other major airports, the queue is orderly and the ride is metered. For late arrivals, DiDi is often easier than the taxi queue; the pickup point is marked in the app. Rail stations have designated taxi zones — follow the signs rather than accepting a driver’s offer at the exit.
Common scams and safety
The classic scams are the unmetered “black cab”, the driver who claims the meter is broken, and the airport tout who quotes a fixed price three times the metered fare. A rarer one is the driver who takes a long route; using DiDi avoids it because the route and price are in the app. Keep your belongings with you, check the plate number against the app, and share your trip with someone if travelling alone at night. If something goes wrong, the receipt and app record are your evidence; call 12328 for transport complaints.
When not to take a taxi
During rush hour, a 20-minute metro ride can beat a 45-minute taxi in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. For short hops in a historic centre, walking is often faster than finding a pickup point. At major stations, allow 10–15 minutes for the taxi queue at peak times. If you have luggage, a DiDi is usually easier than the metro, but avoid the morning and evening crush if you can.
What works in practice
Save the hotel address in Chinese and show it, not an English map pin
Use DiDi or the Alipay mini-app for fixed prices and no language barrier
Check the plate number and car model before getting in
Take the receipt — it is your only leverage if you leave something behind
Avoid unmarked cars and anyone who approaches you at arrivals
For airport runs, allow for traffic and the taxi queue; DiDi pickup points can be a long walk
Mistakes to avoid
Accepting a flat fare from a driver who refuses the meter
Following a tout inside the terminal instead of using the official rank
Giving an English address or a map pin the driver cannot read
Taking a taxi in rush hour when the metro is faster
Paying a foreign credit card directly in the cab — it usually will not work
Frequently asked
Can I use DiDi without Chinese?
Yes. The main DiDi app has an English interface, and the Alipay mini-app can translate the trip. You still need the destination, ideally in Chinese characters.
Are taxis safe in China?
Official metered taxis are generally safe and regulated. Use the official queue, check the plate, and avoid unmarked cars. DiDi records the route and driver, which adds a layer of accountability.
How do I pay a taxi?
Mobile QR payment (Alipay or WeChat Pay) or cash. Foreign credit cards are rarely accepted directly; the driver may not have a card terminal.
Is DiDi cheaper than a taxi?
Usually similar, sometimes cheaper with promotions. DiDi shows the price before booking, which removes meter anxiety. Surge pricing can make it more expensive in rain or at peak times.
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.