How to Get a Taxi in China as a Foreigner: Street Cabs, Didi, and What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Getting a taxi in China is easy once you know the system. The complication for foreigners is mostly language: drivers rarely speak English, and if you can't communicate the destination, you're stuck. The solution is simple—use Didi for most rides, and have a backup plan for the rare times that doesn't work.

Here's exactly how to do it.

Option 1: Didi (Recommended for Foreigners)

Didi is China's dominant ride-hailing app. Think Uber, except it actually works in China, has more drivers, and the pricing is transparent.

Why it's better than street taxis for foreigners:

• You type your destination in the app—no verbal communication needed
• Payment is automatic (linked to Alipay, a foreign card, or in-app payment)
• You can see the driver's name, car, and license plate before they arrive
• The app shows the fare estimate upfront

How to set it up:

1. Download the Didi app from the international app store
2. Register with your phone number—it accepts foreign numbers
3. Add payment: the international version accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Alipay

How to book a ride:

1. Open Didi
2. Your current location is usually set automatically via GPS
3. Type your destination—you can search in English for major hotels, malls, and landmarks
4. For specific addresses, paste the Chinese address (you can copy it from Amap or your hotel's booking confirmation)
5. Choose your ride type (Express is standard; Premier is slightly nicer cars)
6. Confirm and wait—typical arrival in 3–7 minutes in major cities

During the ride: You don't need to speak to the driver. If they call (some call to confirm pickup location), you can respond with a text message instead. Something like: "I'm outside [landmark], wearing [color shirt]." Use a translation app to put it in Chinese and paste it into the Didi chat.

Payment: Automatic when the ride ends. No cash needed. You can rate the driver afterward.

Option 2: Street Taxis

Street taxis still exist and work fine. In most Chinese cities, licensed taxis are identifiable by their uniform color scheme (yellow in Beijing, teal or dark red in Shanghai, depending on the company) and a lit "空车" (available) sign on the dashboard.

How to flag one: Stand on the side of the road and raise your hand clearly. Taxis will pull over if they're available and heading your direction.

The main problem: communicating where you're going.

Most drivers speak minimal English. Your options:

• Show the address in Chinese on your phone. Search your destination in Amap or Baidu Maps, open the address details, and show the Chinese address characters to the driver
• Have your hotel's business card. Virtually all hotels in China give you a business card with the hotel name and address in Chinese characters. Keep it with you
• Use a translation app. Google Translate's camera function can help you read signs; its speech function can help you say basic phrases

Payment: Traditional taxis use meters. When you arrive, pay the metered fare. Most drivers now have an Alipay or WeChat Pay QR code on the dashboard—you scan it and enter the amount. Cash also works, but have smaller bills (¥5, ¥10, ¥20); drivers often struggle to make change for ¥100 notes.

What to check:

• The meter should start running immediately after you get in. If it doesn't, ask or get out
• Licensed taxis have a driver ID card visible on the dashboard
• Avoid unmarked cars offering rides outside airports and train stations—these are unlicensed and pricing is unpredictable

At Airports and Train Stations

Airports and train stations have designated taxi queues. Follow the signs for "出租车" (Taxi) and join the official queue. This avoids unlicensed drivers who approach in the arrivals hall.

Typical setup:

• A staff member or screen will direct you to the next available taxi
• You get in, show the driver your destination (in Chinese, on your phone)
• Fare is metered

One common issue: At busy times (flights arriving late at night), the taxi queue can be long—30 to 60 minutes at major airports. Didi from the airport is often faster, as you can book while still in the terminal and your driver will be ready near the rideshare pickup zone.

Airport pickup zones: Both major airports in Beijing (PEK, PKX) and Shanghai (PVG, SHA) have designated Didi pickup areas, separate from taxi queues. Look for signs for 网约车 (ride-hailing). The Didi app will direct you to the correct pickup point.

Typical Fare Ranges (Major Cities)

Fares vary by city, but these are rough estimates:

| Trip type | Typical cost | |---|---| | Short city ride (1–5 km) | ¥15–30 | | Medium ride (5–15 km) | ¥30–70 | | Airport to city center (Beijing/Shanghai) | ¥100–200 | | Late night surcharge | +10–20% |

Didi prices are comparable to metered taxis, sometimes slightly higher during surge periods.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

Driver won't accept your destination: This happens occasionally, usually because the driver is ending their shift or doesn't want to deal with the traffic in that direction. Don't argue—close the door politely, open Didi, and book instead.

Didi can't find your exact address: This happens in hutong areas or older neighborhoods with irregular addressing. Set your pickup point to the nearest main road intersection or a well-known nearby building instead.

Payment declined on Didi: Try switching to a different payment method in the app. If it still fails, ask the driver if they accept Alipay QR (almost all do) and scan their dashboard code manually.

You're in the wrong area: Don't panic. Open Amap, check where you are, and book a Didi back to where you need to go. The app works regardless of where you are.

Cab takes a longer route: Licensed taxis are metered, so longer routes cost more. If you suspect this, note the route in Amap as you go. If the discrepancy is significant, you can report it to the taxi company or use the in-app dispute function if using Didi.

Do I Need to Tip?

No. Tipping is not customary for taxis or Didi in China. The metered or app fare is what you pay. Rounding up slightly (e.g., paying ¥35 for a ¥33 fare in cash) is occasionally done but not expected.

DiDi vs. Street Taxi: Quick Decision Guide

| Situation | Best choice | |---|---| | Don't speak Chinese | Didi | | Need a child seat | Didi (select option; limited availability) | | Destination is a well-known hotel or landmark | Either works | | Specific address in a local neighborhood | Didi (paste Chinese address) | | Late-night return from a restaurant | Didi | | Airport pickup, need fast | Didi (book while in terminal) | | Short walk-up trip, already on the street | Street taxi |

For most foreigners visiting China for the first time, Didi handles 90% of situations with less friction. Once you've used it a few times, it becomes the obvious default.

Next steps: Set up Alipay before you leave so your Didi payments work from the first day. See How to use Alipay without a Chinese bank account.

Also useful: How to get around Shanghai as a foreigner and China travel checklist for first-time visitors.