Using Didi in Hangzhou

Didi is China's dominant ride-hailing app — think Uber, but bigger. In Hangzhou, Didi is often faster, cheaper, and more reliable than regular taxis. This guide covers everything tourists need to know, from downloading the app to handling common issues on the road.

Setting Up Didi

Which Version to Download

There are two versions of Didi, and the choice matters:

Step-by-Step Setup (International Version)

1. Download the app — Search "DiDi" in your app store. The icon is a white "D" on an orange background. Make sure it says "DiDi - Greater China" or similar, not a third-party clone.
2. Create an account — Open the app and sign up with your phone number. Foreign phone numbers work (+1, +44, +81, etc.). You will receive an SMS verification code. If you have a Chinese SIM, use that number — it is more reliable for receiving codes.
3. Switch to English — The international version should default to English. If it does not, tap the profile icon (bottom-right), then Settings (gear icon), then Language, and select English.
4. Link a payment method — This is the most important step. Go to Profile > Payment > Add Payment Method. You have three options:
   • International credit card: Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Enter your card number, expiry, and CVV. Some cards may require SMS verification from your bank. This is the easiest option for tourists.
   • Alipay: If you have Alipay set up (see our payment guide), you can link it directly. Alipay often processes payments faster.
   • WeChat Pay: Similar to Alipay — link if you have it set up.
5. Set your pickup location — Didi uses your phone's GPS. Make sure location services are enabled for the app. In China, GPS accuracy can be off by 20–50 meters in dense urban areas — always confirm the pin location on the map before requesting a ride.

Ride Types and Prices

Didi offers several ride categories in Hangzhou. The international version shows fewer options than the Chinese version, but covers the most useful ones:

Ride Type	Chinese	Base Fare	Per km	Per min	Best For
Express	快车	¥13	¥1.8	¥0.5	Standard rides, best value
Comfort	优享	¥15	¥2.2	¥0.6	Newer cars, more legroom
Premium	专车	¥18	¥2.8	¥0.8	Business travel, luxury cars
Luxury	豪华车	¥30	¥4.5	¥1.0	BMW/Mercedes/Audi, special occasions
Hitch (Carpool)	拼车	—	—	—	30–50% cheaper, shares ride with others, not always available

Which Ride Type to Choose

Express is fine for 90% of trips. Cars are typically VW, Toyota, or Buick sedans in reasonable condition. Comfort is worth the small premium if you have large luggage or want a cleaner, newer car — drivers must maintain a higher rating. Premium gives you a mid-size luxury sedan (BMW 3-series, Audi A4, or similar) and a suit-wearing driver. Luxury is for full-size luxury cars and is overkill for most tourists. Hitch (carpool) can save money on longer rides, but you share the car with 1–2 other passengers going the same direction, which adds detours and time. It is not available during peak hours.

Sample Fares

These are typical Express fares under normal conditions (no surge pricing). Actual prices vary with traffic and time of day:

Route	Distance	Price	Time
West Lake → Lingyin Temple	6km	¥18–25	15–20 min
Airport → City center	30km	¥90–130	35–50 min
Hangzhou East Station → West Lake	10km	¥25–35	20–30 min
Wulin → Xixi Wetland	12km	¥30–40	25–35 min
West Lake → Qiandao Lake bus station	4km	¥14–18	10–15 min
Hangzhou Station (Chengzhan) → West Lake	3km	¥13–16	10–15 min
West Lake → Liangzhu Museum	22km	¥55–75	35–45 min
City center → Songcheng Theme Park	18km	¥45–60	30–40 min

Airport Rides

Getting a Didi from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport requires knowing where to go:

Where to Request Your Ride

After exiting arrivals, do not go to the ground-floor taxi rank. Instead, take the elevator or escalator up to the departure level (2nd floor). This is where Didi pickups happen. When you request a ride, the app will show you a specific door number (e.g., "Door 5, T1 Departures"). Walk to that door and wait — the driver will pull up within a few minutes.

Airport Pickup Tips

• Choose the correct terminal in the app before requesting. If you arrive at T2 (international), set your pickup at T2 departures. Walking to T1 takes 5 minutes and is not worth the hassle.
• Expressway toll: The airport-to-city route includes a ¥15 toll. Didi adds this automatically to your fare — you do not pay the driver separately.
• Wait times at the airport are usually 3–8 minutes, longer during peak hours (morning domestic arrivals, evening international arrivals).
• Do not accept rides from drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall. These are unlicensed and will charge 2–3x the Didi price.

Train Station Rides

Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站)

This is the main high-speed rail station and the one most tourists use. Didi pickup is on the B1 level (underground). Follow signs for "Taxi/Online Ride-Hailing" (网约车). There is a designated Didi waiting area with numbered zones — the app will tell you which zone to go to (e.g., "Zone A3"). Wait times are typically 5–15 minutes, longer during evening rush (17:00–19:00).

Hangzhou Station (杭州站 / 城站)

The smaller, older station closer to the city center. Didi pickup is at the east exit on the ground level. The pickup area is smaller and can get congested. Wait times are usually 3–8 minutes.

Surge Pricing and Night Surcharges

Didi uses dynamic pricing during high-demand periods. Understanding when surges happen helps you plan:

Peak Hour Surges

• Morning rush (07:30–09:30): 1.2–1.5x surge, especially from residential areas toward downtown
• Evening rush (17:00–19:30): 1.3–1.8x surge, worst on Fridays and before long weekends
• Rainy days: 1.5–2.0x surge, sometimes higher during heavy rain or typhoons
• Holidays: Spring Festival, National Day (October 1–7) — surges of 1.5–2.5x are common

Night Surcharge

A flat night surcharge applies between 23:00 and 06:00. Expect fares to be about 20–30% higher than daytime rates for the same route. This is not surge pricing — it is a standard surcharge built into the fare structure.

How to Avoid Surge Pricing

• Wait 15–30 minutes — surges often pass quickly
• Try a different ride type (Comfort sometimes has less surge than Express)
• Walk a few blocks away from the crowded area (train stations, shopping malls) before requesting
• Use the metro during rush hours instead

Common Issues and Solutions

Driver Cancels the Ride

This happens occasionally, especially for short rides (under ¥15) or during surge periods when drivers wait for better-paying fares. If a driver cancels, Didi automatically re-matches you with another driver at no extra charge. If cancellations happen repeatedly, try switching to Comfort or Premium — these drivers cancel less often.

GPS Location Inaccuracy

In dense areas (narrow hutongs, inside shopping malls, near tall buildings), your GPS pin may be off by 20–100 meters. Always check the pin on the map and manually adjust it if needed. Add a text note to your pickup location (e.g., "Near the KFC on Yan'an Road") — drivers appreciate this. If the driver cannot find you, call them through the app (the international version has a translation feature for calls).

Communication Difficulties

Most Didi drivers speak only Mandarin. The international version of the app has a built-in translation feature for text messages with the driver. Use it to communicate your location or special requests. For phone calls, the app offers an auto-translate call feature that works reasonably well for simple exchanges. If all else fails, ask a passerby to speak to the driver for you — Chinese people are generally helpful with this.

Wrong Drop-off Location

Double-check your destination on the map before confirming the ride. Some hotels have similar names (e.g., "Hangzhou Hotel" vs "Hangzhou International Hotel"). Enter the full address or a landmark rather than just the hotel name. If the driver takes you to the wrong place, you can report it in the app and Didi usually refunds the difference.

Safety Features

Didi has invested heavily in safety features after past incidents. Here is how to use them:

• Share your trip: Before the ride starts, tap "Share Route" in the app. You can send a live tracking link to a friend via WeChat or SMS. They can see your real-time location and estimated arrival time.
• Emergency button: A red SOS button appears during every ride. Tapping it immediately calls the police (110) and sends your location to Didi's safety center. Use it only in genuine emergencies.
• Driver verification: The app shows the driver's photo, name, license plate, and car model. Always verify these before getting in. If they do not match, do not get in the car and report it.
• Trip recording: Didi records audio during rides (with both parties' consent). This deters misconduct and provides evidence if something goes wrong. You can opt out, but keeping it on is recommended.
• Real-time route monitoring: The app alerts you if the driver deviates significantly from the suggested route. If you notice the car going the wrong way, check the app — it may be a legitimate detour due to traffic, but stay alert.

FAQ