Beijing is a city of 25 million people. A population that size comes with traffic and lots of it. If you’ve ever been stuck in Bali traffic, it has a similar feel to it. Getting around Beijing as a tourist is genuinely one of the harder parts of visiting — and when Bec and I were there with our kids and my sister in her late 60s, the metro just wasn’t a realistic option for our group.
So we used DiDi. And honestly, it’s the best option available.
Using DiDi ride-sharing in Beijing
DiDi is China’s version of Uber or Grab. You download the app, add your payment details and you’re ready to go. It has an English version, prices are reasonable — often cheaper than taxis — and you can choose from basic cars all the way up to six-seater vans, which was perfect for the five of us.
The vans were something else. Leather armchair-like seats in the back. You’d never see that in Australia. Sometimes a Buick van would show up, other times a Chinese-made Zeekr. You never quite knew what was coming and that was half the fun.
If you’re using Alipay for payments in China, DiDi comes preloaded within the Alipay app and all your ride fees are automatically charged to your Alipay account — so you don’t even need a separate DiDi account.
The problem with DiDi in Beijing — the traffic
Here’s the honest part. DiDi works well. The traffic doesn’t.
Beijing traffic can seem relentless at times. It can easily take 30 minutes to travel just a few kilometres to major attractions like the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City or the National Museum of China. If you’re catching DiDi two or three times a day, expect to lose up to two hours just sitting in traffic.
We travelled from our hotel to Beijing Capital Airport — a 23-kilometre trip — and it took nearly 90 minutes. At 9pm. That’s Beijing.
The other challenge is knowing exactly where to be dropped off. We wanted to go to Tiananmen Square and DiDi offered several drop-off options. We didn’t recognise any of them, so we chose the top recommendation. Turned out the street was closed — and the police told us we’d have to walk about a kilometre in another direction to reach the square.
So while DiDi is convenient and user-friendly, just be prepared for your days in Beijing to be eaten up by the time it takes to get places. Budget more time than you think you need.
Key things to know about DiDi in Beijing
- DiDi is like Uber but for China — safe, convenient and widely used
- You don’t need a Chinese phone number if you use DiDi through the Alipay app
- Download DiDi or Alipay before your trip — it has an English version
- Link your credit card or use WeChat Pay or Alipay for payments
- Drivers may not speak English — use the in-app translation feature
- Prices are reasonable, often cheaper than taxis
- It saves your previous pickup and drop-off locations
In reality there’s no better option. DiDi is still the best way to get around Beijing if you don’t want to use public transport. Just go in with realistic expectations about how long everything takes.
We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats — and if you’re planning a trip to China, our China travel guide is a good place to start.
What is DiDi and how does it work in Beijing?
DiDi is China’s version of Uber — a ride-sharing app that works across Beijing and most major Chinese cities. You download the app, add your payment details and enter your pickup and drop-off location. A driver accepts the job and you track them in real time. It has an English version and is generally cheaper than taxis.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use DiDi in China?
Not if you use DiDi through the Alipay app. If you have Alipay set up, DiDi is preloaded within it and your ride fees are charged directly to your Alipay account. This is the easiest way for tourists to use DiDi without needing a Chinese SIM card.
How do I pay for DiDi in China?
You can link an international credit card directly to the DiDi app, or pay through WeChat Pay or Alipay. If you’re already using Alipay for other purchases in China, using DiDi through Alipay is the most convenient option as everything is charged to the one account.
Is DiDi safe for tourists in Beijing?
Yes — DiDi is safe, widely used and regulated. All drivers are registered and your trip is tracked in the app. It’s considerably safer than flagging down a random taxi and you always know the price upfront. We used it throughout our Beijing trip without any issues.
How bad is the traffic in Beijing?
Very bad. Beijing traffic is some of the worst we’ve experienced anywhere in the world. A 23-kilometre trip from our hotel to the airport took nearly 90 minutes at 9pm. If you’re using DiDi two or three times a day, budget for up to two hours of travel time. Always leave more time than you think you need.
