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Didi’s new travel feature is designed to save you money on long distance fares.

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Ride-share app DiDi has launched new feature DiDi Travel that’ll help you save on long-distance fares. After a successful trial run, as of April 27, the feature’s being rolled out in major Australian cities.

The new feature will be available for trips over 10kms in Sydney and Adelaide, and over 12kms in other major Australian cities. It’s designed to benefit both riders and drivers. Riders will receive a low-cost option for long-distance travel and be able to choose which driver they want to use.

When riders request a DiDi Travel ride, drivers will be able to ‘bid’ on the trip and offer their price, with a starting point base fare set by the app that’s lower than its DiDi Express.

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Drivers will then be able to take into consideration destination information, journey length and fare price. The rider will then get to decide how much they’ll pay based on the bids they get. They’ll also be able to factor in the drivers’ estimated arrival time, star rating and even their car type.

Worth noting, though, is the fact that once the final fare of the DiDi Travel trip is decided on, the rider won’t be able to change the route or destination of their trip.

The service is now available in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. To access it, simply open the DiDi app, enter your destination into the “Where to?” bar and select the “DiDi Travel” option.

DiDi was founded in Beijing, China in 2012 where, backed by influential investors, it grew rapidly, eventually offering private cars, car rentals, buses and chauffeurs, as well as delivery services and even bike-sharing. The app launched in Australia in 2018, with an initial trial in Geelong, Victoria that led to a wider rollout in Melbourne. It’s now available in select cities in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD and ACT.

Related: I Roadtested Uber’s New Travel Feature, and I Think It’s Going to Take Off

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Didi in Australia – List of Cities, The Fare, and more

China-based mobile transportation platform Didi Chuxing is currently working on a massive expansion. After successfully mastering all of China and making Uber out of the country by buying its China operations.

After doing well with Uber now Didi seems to be more confident to further expand its network, not only in its homeland but around the world.

Australia is the next goal, a continent with more than 24 million people is definitely a potential ridesharing market despite the fact that there are already veterans ridesharing service – Uber and India-based rideshare company – Ola Cabs.

Didi arrived in Australia in June 2018 started with the City of Melbourne and Geelong by bringing in ridesharing business experiences and world-class technology. They offer a safer trip that starts with the stringent recruitment of driver-partners, on-trip sharing, and phone number privacy.

Didi Chuxing probably is not so familiar to you, as it is only available in a few countries. But this company was able to become one of the World Most Valuable Start-up Companies with a valuation of US $ 60 billion in mid-2017. The Company also invested in several ridesharing companies such as Lyft, Grab, Careem and also their rivals in Australia, such as Uber, Ola and Taxify.

• Didi Australia Driver Promotions - Rewards, Bonuses and more
• Didi Promo Code in Australia - Free Ride, Discount and more
• OLA in Australia - List of Cities, Vehicle Options and The Fare

One of Didi’s main strategies in 2019 was Globalization, in addition to Australia, this transportation network company also started to expand its services to Japan and Latin America. Providing intelligent transportation solutions for cities around the world.

Didi List of Cities in Australia

• Didi Vehicle Options

Didi Fares in Australia

How to become didi driver, didi customer support.

Currently, Didi only goes into business in four cities in two states, in Victoria (Melbourne and Geelong) and New South Wales (Sydney and Newcastle). They chose the four cities since they were all big cities with millions of population when combined.

Didi in Melbourne and Geelong

We can’t say for sure whether Didi will broaden to another state or not. Chances are, now they are still evaluating their achievements in the first four cities, then determine the strategy of expansion to even more cities in Australia.

However, if we look at Didi’s global strategy to continue to grow outside of its homeland and their plans for IPO in 2019, then there is a possibility that they will expand their ride-hailing services, at least in other big cities like Sydney or Perth.

Didi Vehicles Options

As opposed to Uber and Ola that are fitted with more than one vehicle options. Didi happens to be more comfortable with only giving one option, it’s called Didi Express, an economy ride option just like UberX and a basic service from other ridesharing companies.

So, when you order a Didi Express ride you will get a vehicle that is mostly sedans that can accommodate 4 passengers like the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Holden Cruze and similar vehicles.

Update! An additional vehicle option is available in Australia, Didi Max can be requested for those who want to travel with a maximum of 6 passengers, it’s mean more room for you and your friends. You can also split the fare to pay the trip expenses, so travelling with Didi is now even more affordable.

You cannot find any difference with other ride-hailing applications when booking a ride with Didi in Australia. When you open the Didi Rider app and determining the pickup and destination location, you will see the approximated trip costs right away on the phone screen.

The fare is not an upfront price, so it can change in case the trip time to reach the destination becomes longer or the driver is required to change the route due to various factors.

The Didi fare in Australia will be based on several rates including base fare, distance fare per kilometre, time fare per minute, service or levy fee and regulatory fare like CTP fee in New South Wales. Minimum fares also apply on every trip.

The following are Didi fare breakdowns in several cities around Australia.

Didi Fares in Melbourne and Brisbane

Apart from the fare listed above, specifically in New South Wales, you will see another fee called CTP Fee. It’s a new CTP scheme to collect $0.10 per kilometre on every ridesharing trip, it’s collected from riders and will be paid to NSW Government.

Dynamic pricing or better known as surge pricing also applies at Didi. Some factors that influence this pricing are higher rider demand, peak hour traffic and the number of drivers at that time.

In some cities, Didi also applies distance surcharge applied on top of distance fare. Like Melbourne and Geelong, you will be charged an additional $0.10/km for a trip less than 7km. Whereas in Brisbane you will be charged an additional $ 0.11/km for a trip above 10km.

As a new player in the ridesharing field, Didi certainly needs a lot of active driver-partners on their platforms. If you are interested in becoming part of Didi’s growth in Australia, you can register now.

Join now while registration is open!

• Free! NCC Background Check (worth $40). Start to deliver at no cost.
• Overseas licence holders and P platers are welcome.
• Fast Pay – Daily Cash out your earnings in minutes

But before registering, it’s good for you to know what requirements are needed to be approved as a Didi driver in several states in Australia.

• Didi driver requirements in NSW incl. Sydney Newcastle
• Didi driver requirements in Victoria incl. Melbourne and Geelong
• Didi driver requirements in Queensland incl. Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
• Didi driver docs and vehicle requirements in Perth
• Didi Requirements when it arrives in Adelaide

Every state has its own set of requirements for rideshare service, so if you are registered as a Didi driver in Melbourne you are not permitted to use the Didi Driver app in Brisbane to pick up passengers and the other way round. But as a Didi passenger, you are able to use the Didi Global app anywhere in the world where the service operates.

In Australia Didi also complements its services with customer support that provides assistance for their drivers and riders (passengers). You can reach their customer service team via phone, email, official social media accounts and in-app help. Read our post about Didi Customer Service Phone Number and More Ways to Contact Didi in Australia .

Not just that, they also provide Didi Driver-Partners Hub Office in every city where their rideshare service operates, read more on our post about Didi Driver-Partners Hub Office Address around Australia . The presence of the office will certainly help their drivers to solve several problems such as onboarding process, account activation and others.

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13 comments.

Dean Lawson · July 16, 2019 at 1:02 am

When is Didi opening in Sydney?

Syd · July 23, 2019 at 1:29 am

What is the maximum age of a car to use on Didi?

Molly · August 2, 2019 at 9:36 pm

This is now out of date, Didi is available in Brisbane as of 22/07/19 and is now up and running in Newcastle. Still not available in Sydney.

Alan · August 5, 2019 at 8:12 am

When is DiDi coming to the Gold Coast?

Roberto Cirignano · August 11, 2019 at 2:22 am

Didi is in Sydney yet

Craig · August 21, 2019 at 10:54 am

When is Didi coming to Perth?

Kerry Sheehan · September 8, 2019 at 1:03 pm

Would love to see Didi in Perth!!

Sanjay Kumar · September 25, 2019 at 10:35 am

When DiDi is launching in Sydney

Paula Norman · October 18, 2019 at 10:20 am

So are they in Perth yet? As a driver told me to download it and gave me a discount code to use… I thought got the impression he was already working with DiDi?

Adam · October 19, 2019 at 6:12 am

Hi, Didi will be available in Perth on 4th November 2019. You can use the code from that date.

Nanang Yulianto · November 13, 2019 at 2:06 am

We have problem with payment of Didi in brisbane, when we click payment is always error all the time since 2 days ago, have no idea who to contacting, I’m tourist from Indonesia

Adam · November 13, 2019 at 2:28 am

Hi Nanang, Try to email customer support, they are responsive.

Graeme · November 28, 2019 at 11:20 am

Yesterday 27/11/2019 I left my wallet in a Didi vehicle with $200 cash in it and tickets to the U2 concert in Perth. As soon as I got out of the vehicle I realised I had left my wallet in it. The mobile phone number given by the Didi App is engaged and call is terminated. I also have sent sms messages to this number with no response.

If I had of used the services of a taxi service like Swan or Black and White, I would of had an immediate response from its call centre and I would have had my wallet returned.

I wont be endorsing using a cheaper service in the future I will pay the higher fare knowing I will be provided with the expected customer service.

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Posted by: rideguru team may 04, 2018 updated jan 16, 2020.

DiDi is the "Uber" of China. Headquartered in Beijing, DiDi has grown to support over 400 cities in China and just recently has also made the move into Mexico. DiDi  provides a wide variety of car types from standard, affordable rides to luxury high-class vehicles. There is even a car pool option if you are looking to save money or if you would rather y ou can also rent a car using DiDi's platform. We have compiled all the DiDi ride options below so you can know what to expect when you hail a car via DiDi.

DiDi Express

DiDi's standard service.

DiDi Express Select

A step up from "Express" but still not considered luxury. You will get a nicer Express car and will pay about 10% more.

DiDi Express Pool

DiDi’s shared ride service. Share an Express ride with others heading in the same direction.

Hail a traditional Taxi cab through the DiDi app.

DiDi Premier

High end, luxury rides with specially trained drivers.

DiDi's real-time public bus option. Buy a seat on the bus and travel one of the pre-determined DiDi routes.

DiDi Car Rental

Rent a car through the DiDi app.

DiDi MiniBus

Use DiDi MiniBus to travel in 5- and 7-seater vans between transportation hotspots, including public transit terminals.

DiDi Enterprise Solutions

DiDi Enterprise Solutions provides corporate clients with flexible, efficient and reliable corporate mobility solutions free from reimbursement and processing pains.

DiDi's most luxurious service, described as a true 5 star experience. DiDi only hires professional chauffeurs as drivers for this service.

DiDi Bike Sharing

DiDi's Bike Sharing Program. Order a bicycle to use for a duration of time off of the DiDi app.

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DiDi Rider: Affordable rides 4+

Reliable rideshare service, designed for iphone.

• #18 in Travel
• 4.6 • 4K Ratings

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Description.

DiDi is the best way to travel, offering safe and fast rides across 28 cities across Australia and New Zealand. Just download the app, choose a destination, find a driver and pay directly in the app. Whether you’re heading out with friends or need a ride from the airport DiDi can get you there safely, at a fraction of the cost. Let your dollar travel further with our everyday low fares and exceptional service. Why choose DiDi? Low Fares Every Day At DiDi we believe that ridesharing should be an affordable experience for everyone. That’s why we charge less for our service than competing ride sharing services. DiDi fares are consistently lower than other ride hailing and taxi services, which means you get to save more money to spend on the activities you love. Fast & Reliable We’ve got over 130,000 drivers at your fingertips across Australia & New Zealand, which means you can find a ride fast. Easily connect to a driver via the DiDi app in seconds and you’ll have a car at your location in minutes! Safety First We’re committed to helping make every ride with DiDi as safe as possible. All our drivers have undergone extensive background checks, facial verification, vehicle inspections, ongoing monitoring & more. We offer world leading in-app safety features such as in trip check ins, phone number and home address anonymization, sharing your trip with trusted contacts and more. Award Winning Rideshare Aussies have rated DiDi the best ridesharing service in Canstar Blue’s 2020 review, giving it five stars over 8 categories, including reliability, customer service, cleanliness, value for money and more! Driver Friendly Our drivers get to keep more of your fare compared to competing ride hailing services, which means by using DiDi you also support the livelihood of local drivers. It’s a win-win choice for both you and your driver. DiDi Rider Services Express: Quick and affordable rides, up to 2 people. Easy & affordable. Max: Spacious and affordable rides, for groups up to 6 or extra luggage Rideshare: Match with another traveler in the same direction and split the cost. Up to 40% cheaper than DiDi Express rides. Delivery: Affordable, on-demand city-wide delivery. Low delivery fares starting from $6.30 for 24/7 on-demand delivery. Need help? Access https://australia.didiglobal.com/rider/help/ or email us [email protected]

Version 7.4.80

- Various improvements and bug fixes - Improved some page display details of product presentation - Improved the map accuracy for better user experience

Ratings and Reviews

Drivers simply ignore you.

I really want to like Didi but it's so painfully clear that their drivers are driving on other platforms like Uber at the same time and so when they accept your pick up drive right past you while dropping off other passengers. If other platforms are superior for drivers why would I bother waiting 20 minutes for a Didi after having to cancel 2-3 when an Uber will arrive on time?

Rubbish and beware of they don’t give your refund

This is a rascal company, DIDI never gave me a refund, every time after I cancelled the trip, they never successfully refund, they wrote on the refund information that it would take 2-15 days to get the refund, so with the attitude of believing them, I did not keep asking, and the amount of each time was not very big. When I counted it up a few months later, there was more than $50 that had not been refunded, meaning that they had charged me for every unsuccessful trip. So I email to the customer support to solve the problem, but they said that I did not tell them in time that there was no refund, so they could not inquire, the solution is no way! I have emailed twice and they said I had not contacted them. I don't quite understand. Isn't it DIDI's problem that they didn't refund the customer? It is ridiculous to say that the time is too long and there is no solution. I will never use DIDI again, very poor customer service, and everyone should be careful of refund failure.

No driver, but took the money out of our account!!!!

My son booked a ride with Didi, but no driver took the fare so the ride was canceled by DiDi, however they did a pre authorisation on his account and took $48. Their website says it’s down to our bank as to how long it takes for the pre authorisation to be removed, but that’s rubbish. The bank would tell us that Didi needs to relinquish their authority over the amount…. Other companies that pre authorise remove the authority straight away as soon as it’s not needed. Sort your act out Didi…. What if that was all the money he had and you couldn’t supply a driver and he was then left stranded without a driver and without any money???? We are unable to trust your service any more and would rather pay more for a service we can rely on that takes payment on delivery of service, not before and then let’s you down.

App Privacy

The developer, DiDi , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

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Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• User Content
• Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Search History

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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How to Use Didi: The Best App to Book a Taxi in China

How to use the didi app – index, how didi works.

• What you need to install Didi (cell phone number, payment method, etc)

How to install DiDi on your cell phone

The type of rides that didi offers, what is the difference between taxi and express.

• How to reserve a car with DiDi

Quick guide on how to take a trip in ten steps

More information about didi, frequently asked questions.

If you don’t use DiDi you could have some problems in China. Sure you could always wave your hand at the side of the road and a taxi will still stop. But if it’s bad weather or rush hour, there’s no longer any hope of finding a taxi without this new app.

DiDi dache or DiDi chuxing (滴滴打车 or 滴滴出行) is the name of a cell phone app which makes it possible to contact both taxis and private cars with professional drivers.

In other words it’s like a local Uber . DiDi is not the only one on the market, but it’s certainly the most widespread and above all it has a convenient version in English.

There are two ways to use DiDi:

the first is to access the WeChat “wallet” section , and choose Ride Hailing. But here you won’t be able to use the app in English, even if your Wechat is installed in English.

The convenience is that direct payment is connected to Wechat and you don’t have to set up a new profile. Moreover, in the Chinese version of DiDi there are many more functions available than in the English version. But let’s say that the basic product, which is passenger transport, is fully functional in the English version.

• So, if as is the case with many, the Chinese app alienates you, then download the English version Didi Greater China (Currently not available in the AppStore or Google Play)

I recommend that you install DiDi and practice using it even for brief stays in China.

If you’ve already used Uber, DiDi won’t be difficult for you. You’ll have to enter your pick up location that corresponds to where the GPS shows your position (but always check, every so often the App has no references and places you near the nearest known point), or different choices. In the English App you can enter your location in both English and Chinese, but you can’t enter a shared location received via Wechat.

Next, insert your destination, again using the address in either English or Chinese characters, and then choose your type of course. Be careful when typing in the address in English because the translations are still a bit imaginative: at times it will say Zhong Shan Lu, sometimes Zhong Shan Road, and sometimes Middle Shan Road! So try a few times if your first attempt doesn’t produce any results.

With the exception of calling a taxi, it will always calculate the estimated trip cost , though it doesn’t include unexpected diversions or excessive delays due to traffic. But this will definitely help you to figure out if the driver is cheating you, also because once the trip has begun, on your App a navigation mode is activated that will show you the same road that DiDi is suggesting to the driver at the same time. With superior category cars, you can also see in detail how the fare is calculated.

This is all general information. Now let’s see the specifics on how to install it and how make a call.

What you need to install Didi

First of all you’ll need a Chinese cell phone number , which must be active and works. In fact the drivers will identify you by the last four digits of your cell number, and will call you if they have any doubt. Don’t worry, you can always fake that you don’t hear your phone…

The drivers can also contact you through DiDi’s own messaging system: there are a series precomposed messages so that you can have an easy exchange without falling into a lost in translation situation.

Moreover, the recent security system activated by Didi, the so-called DiDi Safeguard , makes a direct call to the closest police center and automatically notifies the emergency number you’ve inserted with a quick click. So your cell phone will be useful even if you run into an emergency situation.

Secondly, you need to enter a method of payment that is one of the ones listed on DiDi. Some have told me that a foreign credit or debit card will work, but I don’t have any direct experience with that. The other forms of payment, are all tied to a Chinese card or an Alipay or Wechat account connected to a Chinese card.

I’ll give you a little tip: think opening an account in China is crazy? If you already have a friend that lives there, they’ll surely already have everything necessary for managing money: Alipay, Wechat and a bank account. You can opt for a transfer from your Wechat wallet, which you can connect with DiDi. This means that you can use Wechat’s debit function to pay for your DiDi rides.

Obviously DiDi works on smartphones with a GPS system without a hitch.

Once you download the App you’ll have to enter your cell number (which is your identity!) and a method of payment. If for some reason while downloading the App it doesn’t download immediately in English, click on the little flower symbol for settings and choose the second heading in the menu, where you’ll find English.

Follow the instructions in the installation guide.

You can additionally enter your preferred addresses right away, which for now is really just two choices, Home and Company. You can change them as much as you want, so if you’re traveling no one will keep you from adding your hotel address for every stay.

I also recommend that you quickly take care of the safety settings so that you don’t have to deal with the thousands of notifications from DiDi which will advise you to add emergency contacts or to enable trip registration.

At this point you’re actually able to fully use the App and its functions. The important thing is that the payment method is correctly installed. If you’ve decided to use Wechat or Alipay, check to see if you’ve adjusted the settings for automatic payment on the respective Apps: if not, it means that you’ll have to approve payment at the end of every trip.

This isn’t a problem, but if you’re too late to pay because you forget, the drivers will start giving you a low score (of course, users too receive feedback in stars) and your search on DiDi in times of greatest need will become increasingly arduous since your score lowers you in the classification of clients.

It’s the same thing for drivers, and I recommend that you always grade them carefully and honestly. If you’re not satisfied with your trip, you can even avoid using the same driver in the future by clicking on the option that’s on the bottom of the screen.

Express : in a few words these are private cars that offer transportation services. They are divided into ExpressPoll, Express and Select. The first is a ride shared with other passengers that “should” be on the same road as your destination, or a reasonable distance away, or are headed beyond your destination. The price is the lowest you can find on DiDi, other than special offers, which they have once in a while; but the savings isn’t always worth sharing the ride or taking a longer one.

With Express it indicates a ride from a private driver where you’re the only passenger and there are no intermediate stops before your destination.

The car Select is a very popular service that is vaguely similar to the other categories, yet still served by private drivers. They could be drivers with very high ratings or those who have made many trips and offer a higher category car. Obviously the price is higher than the Express.

• Premier : just to be clear this is the option for a private professional driver. They present themselves much better than the Express drivers and should guarantee you a more comfortable drive and a more popular service. These are usually the choice for even long distance work trips and are in cars that are preferably booked in advance. On board you’ll find water, battery chargers, an umbrella, tissues, etc. You can also choose the type of car: Comfort, Business Van (six seats) or Executive Class. The price doubles from the first to the third type, and the service becomes even more refined. There’s no guarantee that if you decide to use a Premier car for your trip that it will be immediately available since there aren’t many of them; this is why I said that it’s best to book them in advance for planned trips.
• Luxe : DiDi Luxe is a service that at the moment is only available in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. This is a top notch car with professional drivers that will greet you in a uniform and white gloves.
• Taxi : returning among common people, DiDi has a big advantage in that you can also call for taxis, which remain the primary means of subsistence in certain cities. DiDi doesn’t calculate the hypothetical expense in advance, but sends you the meter at the end of the ride; nevertheless, the rides with private drivers will generally be cheaper. Taxis can also be paid with cash as long as it was called via DiDi, and you have the advantage of being able to get a paper receipt immediately after the end of the ride.

Taxi cars are generally much more rickety and less clean than those of private cars; but taxi drivers are great experts on traffic, so if you don’t fear the fictional Chinese driver but you need to swiftly reach your destination, I recommend a taxi.

This is also because DiDi drivers tend to stick to the route suggested by the DiDi navigator, even when these are jammed with traffic or less convenient, whereas a taxi driver will more easily take you on an alternate road.

An annoying detail that I noted when taking taxis and Express is that often these vehicles hide the seat belts in the back seats behind the seats themselves, or under the seat covers, or that they’re so old that they’re useless. Traveling often with my daughter, it’s been a problem for me: in fact in China car seats are not obligatory and you won’t find one available, even when booking the car in advance. A seat belt therefore remains the only form of security for babies.

The Chinese usually prefer to travel with Express or even ExpressPoll because they can save a little bit. But all things considered, for long trips, choosing a Premiere is maybe just another 5 € more for a service and driver that is much better.

How to book a car with DiDi

The typical situation is: I have to take a train or flight or I arrive at the airport – even at unfortunate times. No problem: choose which category of car you want to use and click on “reserve”.

With this function you can change the date and time of your ride. If you opt for a Premier, there’s already an airport option from the list on the menu, including the flight number in case the driver has to come get you upon arrival. Or enter the destination that you’re interested in and reserve.

Drivers like to give you a call to confirm, especially if you go to the airport or are waiting for a long drive. Now you know…

In addition, you have the chance to use all of DiDi’s functions, even for a friend, changing the passenger name: click on “for others” or “change passenger”. Fill out the required data and the charge will be made on your phone.

• Insert your starting point or confirm your location on DiDi through GPS
• Insert your destination in Chinese characters or in English
• Choose the type of car you want to use and how many seats you’ll need if you choose ExpressPoll
• Confirm the call
• Wait for the car assignment: at times, in the most crowded period, you’ll be shown your position in line and an estimated wait time; you can count on these not being overly precise…
• Check if the driver has sent you a message in the “message” section, which is also in English (I usually ignore it and have never been left to go on foot)
• If you’ve changed your mind, cancel within two minutes of an assignment
• Take the ride
• Confirm payment only once you’ve arrived at your destination and check that the driver ends the ride on his App
• Rate the service

Founded in 2012, DiDi Chuxing has transformed the Chinese taxi system by allowing persons to instantly book a taxi with just a click. The word DiDi is the equivalent to the words of “Beep Beep” when honking a car, which many are aware of.

The creator of the company, Cheng Wei, previously worked at Alibaba with sales and saw the demand for the service. The president of the company, Jean Liu, has an impressive track record and has both studied Computer Science at Harvard and worked at Goldman Sachs for 12 years.

She’s one of the masterminds behind the successful growth of DiDi since she started working for the company. As early as 2014, she became the COO of the company and then president.

The company is currently headquartered in Beijing and has expanded to various other countries and regions over the years, including Mexico, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and more.

In the past years, the company has also invested in various other large-sized companies, including Grab, Lyft, and Ola. The company has also partnered up with SoftBank in Japan to launch its services in the country.

With almost 12,000 employees worldwide, DiDi is now one of the leading mobile transportation globally and caters to more than 550 million in the Asia Pacific, Russia, and Latin America. In addition to its taxi-hailing services, it now also offers services with buses, bikes & e-bikes, P2P rideshares, designated driving, automobile solutions, logistics, and financial services.

The company has won many awards in the previous years, including:

• Fast Company- Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in China
• Cleantech Group-Global CleanTech 100
• CNBC-CNBC Disruptor 50
• Fortune-Change The World
• Google Play Best of 2018-Best Hidden Gem for Mexico

With that said, the company has struggled with profitability issues and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 didn’t make the situation better. Despite receiving large-sized investments from 18 investors, including China Life Insurance, Apple, Toyota, and SoftBank, the company is not yet profitable.

With that said, it’s by far the biggest taxi-hailing company, especially since it merged with Kuaidi a few years back.

Finally, even if the company is privately owned and not profitable as of the moment I’m writing this article, the company targets a valuation of around USD 60 billion by its IPO. Some analysts also believe that the valuation can rise due to DiDi’s international expansion.

The company also has vast plans for automation and aims to have one million robot taxis in the coming years. With Uber and Grab out of the market, DiDi has a competitive advantage to further expand in the Chinese market as well.

About The Author

Rita Andreetti

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15 thoughts on “how to use didi: the best app to book a taxi in china”.

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Can I use my American phone number for the app in China?

The Didi link through Wechat is now all in English,

So it seems I can book a Didi now through Wechat, but can I pay in cash? As my Wechat balance is zero,

Yes you can pay in cash

Didi says it is unavailable on my App Store for my iPhone even though the I live in China, any suggestions?

You may need to change country of the App Store

What is the difference between express and premier? Is there any price difference between them?

DiDi Nerver working if you do not have a local bank account.

Ali Pay and Wechart Pay alos need a local bank account.

Thanks for the effort but a lot of this information seems pretty vague. I tried to test out the reservation system based on the instructions and it was very confusing. Maybe the interface has changed since your last update?

I was expecting to be able to cancel easily but that wasn’t the case. Later I found ‘My trips’ under my account showing that the trip had been cancelled but only after receiving a phone call from an annoyed driver who’d already waited for me to show up. Hopefully my rating didn’t already go down.

At some point a message system popped up automatically but afterwards I couldn’t locate a message center in the app, anywhere.

It’s a confusing interface, at least for a first-time user. Not a very confidence-inspiring test run before an early morning transfer to the station.

Yes the App might have changed a bit since we last updated the article (we can’t keep track of all App updates), but the basic structure didn’t change.

As stated in the article you have 2 minutes to cancel the trip, but depending on the ride the driver may take less than this time to arrive.

We can’t do anything if the App has bugs or is confusing, the objective of this article is to introduce the App, describe the features and give a general idea of how to use it.

Anyway how to use wechat location to be auto inserted i the destination fieled this will make for foreign to use didi….. Like now long click show map.. It will be good to didi as option……

I am taking a trip to China next month, and would like to use the DiDi app, but have not chinese phone number. Is is better to download the app in the US, then is it possible to change the phone number, once I get a chinese sim card? or should I try and wait to download the app once I get to china?

It’s a chinese app, so I think it’s ok to get it in China!

You cannot get didi in China. Only in the west. Then when u get here you need a Chinese phone number. You can exchange SIM Card. But…you cannot use WECHAT to pay as you are a Foreigner. If you are a visitor for a short time you cannot get a bank card without a WORKING VISA. I’ve tried it and I’m here visiting family for 3 months.. o working Visa..no bank account….no payment links.for scanning then. Cash for everything and sometimes cash is not accepted without difficulty. It’s a pain on the ass for visitors to this country and they should fix the issue or less and less foreigners will come here…maybe that’s how they want it….

Some banks still allow you to open an account without a working visa but depends on the province and the branch. Anyway you can use Alipay to pay.

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DiDi - long distance pickup incentive

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This morning I noticed $1 long distance pickup incentive on one of my trips. Pickup was only 2.7 kms away. I don’t know if it changes to higher rate as the distance lengthens?! You will probably build only a couple of houses from this very generous gesture by DiDi but it’s better then its tight ass competitors.  

Tiktak said: This morning I noticed $1 long distance pickup incentive on one of my trips. Pickup was only 2.7 kms away. I don't know if it changes to higher rate as the distance lengthens?! You will probably build only a couple of houses from this very generous gesture by DiDi but it's better then its tight ass competitors. Click to expand...

ghrdrd said: A whole DOLLAR ?!?!?!?! Total gamechanger. Click to expand...

Almost as good as Ubers 'free destination' from trips to dead zones...  

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An ex-Wall Street banker who's visited every country shares 6 places where you can spend less and still travel in luxury

• Lee Abbamonte, 45, is an ex-Wall Street banker who has visited every country in the world. 
• When it comes to destinations where dollars go the furthest, Southeast Asia is his go-to.
• In Bangkok, Abbamonte paid less than $50 a night for a Shangri-La hotel and loved the street food.

This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record for the US economy .

Household wealth is at a record high, the job market is strong, and wages are rising faster than inflation. Meanwhile, the dollar has steadily gained against rival currencies. Simply put, Americans have dollars to spend. One question they might have: Where, oh where, to spend it?

Lee Abbamonte has some suggestions. Abbamonte, who quit his Wall Street finance job to become a travel blogger in 2002, has visited every country in the world, every US state , plus the South and North Poles.

Abbamonte's go-to for getting the most bang for your travel buck is Southeast Asia .

In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, luxury hotels can cost under $100 a night and street food can be as delicious as fine dining, Abbamonte said.

One downside is that traveling to Southeast Asia from the US can take anywhere from 15 hours to more than a day.

"The hardest part is getting there," added Abbamonte, who last visited the region between 2017 and 2019. "But once you're there, you're in heaven."

Here, Abbamonte shares six countries — in Southeast Asia and beyond — where your vacation budget can buy some indulgent splurges.

During a past trip to Thailand, Abbamonte stayed in a five-star hotel for less than $50 a night.

Thailand is one of Abbamonte's favorite destinations in Southeast Asia, for good reason.

In Bangkok, he said, street food is world-class and high-quality yet inexpensive compared to comparable meals in the US. Abbamonte stayed at several stunning hotels along the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the heart of the city.

"I remember I paid like $39 for the Shangri-La," he said.

A one-night stay at the Shangri-La in Bangkok is a bit more expensive now, according to its website : $162 as of June 2024.

Outside Bangkok, Abbamonte can't get enough of Phuket, an island off the west coast of mainland Thailand brimming with rainforest and white sandy beaches that look straight out of a postcard.

"Some of the best hotels I've ever stayed at in my life are in Phuket," he said. His favorite is Kata Rocks, an oceanfront five-star hotel that is "one of the most beautiful places" Abbamonte has ever been.

"I don't remember exactly what it cost, but it wasn't that much," Abbamonte said, estimating that he spent "around $100" a night.

In July 2024, a one-night stay at Kata Rocks in Phuket costs more than $490 according to its website . That may not seem cheap, but villas in more expensive locations like the Caribbean can cost a lot more.

Vietnam is exceedingly affordable for its stunning vistas and delicious delicacies, he said.

Vietnam is one of Abbamonte's top countries in South Asia, where "the food is cheap and easy, and it's fantastic."

The country is home to some awe-inspiring natural wonders, including Ha Long Bay, which you can explore via luxury overnight cruises with amenities like pools, jacuzzis, and wine cellars from about $190 a night.

"Ha Long Bay, near Hanoi, is one of the most beautiful places in the world," Abbamonte said.

Tourists can also get great deals, he added, in the artsy and history-rich city of Hanoi, the coastal city of Da Nang, and Vietnam's southern capital, Ho Chi Minh City.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Abbamonte recommends stopping by the War Remnants Museum. Known locally as the American War Museum , an adult ticket costs 40 Vietnamese dong, or around $1.50.

Home to exhibits on the Vietnam War and the First Indochina War, Abbamonte said it's his "favorite" museum outside the US.

Money goes a long way in Cambodia, home to a world-class beach scene that relatively few know about.

Another one of Abbamonte's favorite places to splurge without spending too much is Cambodia.

Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, the country is affordable in all the ways that its neighbors are but is more off the beaten path.

"There aren't the tourists you get in Thailand and Vietnam," Abbamonte said.

Most tourists visit Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist temple complex near the city of Siem Reap. Abbamonte said the temple, which costs $37 to visit for a day, is worth seeing, but added that the country has so much more to offer.

"There's a lot more going on outside Angkor Wat," he said. "They have nice beaches, and they've really improved their infrastructure."

Some of the most idyllic seaside spots are situated on the tiny islands off of the coastal city of Sihanoukville, like Saracen Bay, a beach on Koh Rong Samloem.

Argentina has some amazing steakhouses that are generally more affordable than their US counterparts.

Abbamonte said many Americans sleep on Argentina, but that it's one of the most affordable, exciting, and pleasant places to visit in South America.

He's particularly fond of Patagonia, a region of mountains, glacial lakes, grasslands, and rainforests that runs through both Argentina and Chile across the southernmost tip of South America.

It's as close to paradise as it gets for Abbamonte, who loves being outdoors — and it doesn't hurt that food and accommodation are inexpensive.

"You can go down there and live it up real cheaply," he added.

The capital of Buenos Aires is also a must-see, Abbamonte added, because it's home to an array of luxury hotels and high-quality steakhouses where American dollars go a long way.

One of his favorite eateries is La Cabrera, a steakhouse in the trendy Palermo Soho neighborhood of Buenos Aires that offers a daily 40% happy hour discount on food and drinks between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (One blogger who reviewed their La Cabrera meal during a 2023 trip said, at the time, a 21-ounce ribeye cost the equivalent of $45.)

"I'm a meat eater," Abbamonte admitted. "So if you like steak, there's really nowhere better."

Ethiopia offers affordable safari options in awe-inspiring wildlife reserves.

"Ethiopia is one place that I love," Abbamonte said. "It's definitely in my top five African countries."

In the past, he's flown into the capital city of Addis Ababa and stayed in five-star hotels for $100 a night. "They're really, really nice, and you can eat world-class meals for virtually nothing," he added.

While booking safari-type vacations can be "pretty expensive," Abbamonte said more adventurous travelers can always consider camping, which he did during his first trips 20 years ago.

At the time, he said, buying supplies, organizing transport within the park, and getting camping permits cost him between $100 and $200.

For example, foreign tourists visiting the Simien Mountains National Park pay 90 birrs, or around $1.50, for a 24-hour pass and an additional 40 birrs, less than $1, to camp in a tent with up to four people.

Compared to some luxury lodges, it's incredibly affordable, and "you get all the same animals," Abbamonte said, adding that he felt completely safe, given all the park rangers roaming around.

Abbamonte said there's never been a better time to visit Japan, one of his favorite countries in the world.

Japan isn't typically the first country that comes to mind for affordable travel, but Abbamonte said it's never been a better time to book a trip because, as of June 25, $1 buys 159.72 yen.

It's one of the best conversion rates in recent history.

"It's as cheap as it's ever been for the American dollar right now," Abbamonte said. "In Tokyo, the hotels are slashed to a third less than they normally are."

For example, at the Hilton Tokyo, a five-star hotel in the bustling Shinjuku district, one-night stays start at under $300 a night, according to its website .

Abbamonte said Japan is worth the trek — and the steeper prices compared to Southeast Asia — for the unique experiences it offers.

From the Kobe beef in Kobe and the bustling streets of Tokyo to the omakase scene in Osaka and the tranquility and history of Kyoto, there's "nowhere" in Japan Abbamonte doesn't like.

"It's probably the best country in the world," he said.

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