When travelling in China, foreign tourists may find that Uber is not very popular, but don't worry - local taxi apps are just as convenient, with many options and English support! Here is a guide to Chinese taxi apps for foreign tourists, which will help you easily find the most suitable travel option.
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Top 10 Taxi Apps in China
When travelling or living in China, there are many taxi apps to choose from, but each has its own characteristics - from affordable carpooling, new energy private cars to one-click taxi services that aggregate multiple platforms. We have selected 10 of the most practical taxi apps to help you quickly match your needs based on price, car model and language support:
App (EN/CN) | Type | Key Services | Language |
Didi (滴滴出行) | Ride-hailing | Taxi/private rides, carpool, bike-share, designated driver | English/Chinese |
HelloRide (哈啰) | Multi-service | Bike/e-bike sharing, ride-hailing, intercity carpool | Chinese |
Huaxiaozhu (花小猪) | Budget rides | Discounted ride-hailing (Didi's economy brand) | Chinese |
Amap/Gaode (高德地图) | Aggregator | Integrates 50+ ride services, navigation-based booking, maps | English/Chinese |
T3 Chuxing (T3出行) | Premium rides | OEM-backed (SAIC/FAW), focus on safety & compliance | English/Chinese |
Caocao (曹操出行) | EV specialist | Geely-owned electric vehicles, corporate travel | Chinese |
Meituan (美团打车) | Super-app | Ride-hailing + food delivery + local services | Chinese |
Dida (嘀嗒出行) | Carpooling | Hitch services, taxi | English/Chinese |
Baidu Map (百度打车) | Aggregator | Baidu Maps-integrated booking, multiple small providers | Chinese |
Shouqi (首汽约车) | Premium service | Chauffeured cars, corporate accounts, legacy taxi-hailing | English/Chinese |
Best Chinese Taxi App for Foreigners (English)
From my personal experience, Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is the first choice for foreigners. This app not only provides an English interface, but is also the largest taxi-hailing platform in China, and has the strictest driver review standards. Although the price is slightly higher, it is very friendly to overseas users and its safety is guaranteed.
Secondly, I prefer Amap/Gaode Maps because its pricing is very competitive—usually cheaper than Didi, and it also supports English. As an aggregation platform, Amap/Gaode Maps has integrated more than 50 online car-hailing service providers. The most convenient thing is that you can directly call a taxi when using navigation. The experience of "navigating while taking a taxi" makes travel easier for foreigners.
DiDi: Best Ride Hailing in China
Didi Chuxing is China's leading taxi-hailing app, which is easy to use. Once you open the app, you can immediately call a nearby taxi or private car. It supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese interfaces, and there is a 24-hour English customer service to help you at any time. Whether in Beijing, Shanghai or more than 400 other Chinese cities, you can enjoy safe and affordable travel services, transparent fares, and flexible payment methods.
AMap Global: ap navigation + online car-hailing
AMap Global is a powerful map navigation app that supports both English and Traditional Chinese interfaces, and is very friendly to foreigners. It can help you plan multiple routes such as driving, public transportation, cycling, walking, etc., accurately estimate arrival times, and call a taxi directly. Whether you are driving, taking public transportation, or looking for walking routes, one app can handle it all, making it a good helper for domestic and foreign travel.
T3 Chuxing: High-quality taxi-hailing platform
T3 Chuxing is a high-quality taxi-hailing app that provides bilingual services in Chinese and English. As long as you open the App, the intelligent system will quickly help you find nearby vehicles, with safety monitoring and voice prompts throughout the process. T3 Chuxing provides professional drivers and standardized services, allowing you to sit safely and comfortably. The platform pays special attention to riding safety, with an exclusive team guarding 24 hours a day, accurate positioning, and fast response. It is a very reliable travel option in China.
HelloRide (哈啰): Carpooling, taxis and cross-city travel
HelloRide (哈啰) is a Chinese app that focuses on shared travel, mainly providing ride-sharing services. Once you open the app, you can quickly match with other car owners on the same route. The price is affordable, and you can share the fuel costs, which is both economical and environmentally friendly. In addition to ride-sharing, HelloRide also provides bicycle and electric vehicle services to meet travel needs of different distances. The platform strictly reviews drivers and vehicles to protect your safety throughout the journey, making ride-sharing safer and more reliable, especially suitable for daily commuting and cross-city travel.
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China Taxi App for Foreigners FAQs
Can I use Uber in China?
No, please use Didi Chuxing.
Does China have Grab?
No, Grab operates in Southeast Asia. China uses Didi, T3, and other local apps.
What taxi apps are used in China?
Top choices: Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行), Gaode/Amap (高德地图), and T3 Chuxing (T3出行).
Is there an English version of DiDi Chuxing?
Yes! Didi has an English interface – download "Didi Chuxing" and switch language settings.
Can foreigners use Didi Chuxing?
Yes, with international cards (Visa/Mastercard/JCB/Diners).
How to book a taxi in China?
Use Didi/Alipay/WeChat Pay's "Taxi (打车)" feature. After entering the destination in pinyin or English, the system will automatically match nearby vehicles.
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