This article focuses on how to use Didi for airport transfers. If you are not yet familiar with Didi's registration, payment, and ride details, we recommend reading our complete guide first: 2026 Latest | Complete Guide to Ride-Hailing in China for Foreigners: Didi from 0 to 1
Compared to taxis or public transportation, using Didi for airport transfers has several clear advantages:
- Transparent pricing: You can see the estimated fare before ordering, avoiding detours or price opacity.
- Safety assurance: Driver information, license plate, and route are all visible in the app, with trip sharing and one-tap emergency call support.
- Convenience and comfort: No need to queue or transfer; choose your preferred car type on demand, especially suitable for travelers with lots of luggage.
After Landing: How to Call a Didi at the Airport
In China, to maintain airport traffic order, major airports have dedicated ride-hailing waiting areas. Passengers and drivers meet at the same location, saving both parties the trouble of searching for each other. Didi's airport service is designed around this process, guiding you through the entire pickup within the app.
How to Find the Waiting Area
This can indeed be confusing for first-time visitors to China, but the Didi app has already solved it for you:
- Search for the corresponding airport in Didi's starting point location. The app will guide you to select the arrival terminal.
- After selecting the terminal, Didi will automatically set that terminal's ride-hailing waiting area as your pickup point.
- Didi also provides detailed step-by-step图文指引 from the terminal to the waiting area, so you can find your pickup point worry-free.
Waiting and Getting In
While waiting, the app will display the driver's location, car model, and license plate in real time. You can also communicate with the driver through the in-app chat function. Messages are translated in real time between both parties, so language barriers are not an issue at all.
When the driver arrives, they will ask for the last four digits of the mobile number you used to register with Didi to confirm they have picked up the correct passenger. If there is a language barrier, simply type the numbers on your phone and show them to the driver.
Ride-Hailing Waiting Areas at Major Chinese Airports
Below is an introduction to the waiting area locations at two mainstream airports to give you a general idea of the post-landing process. Both Apple Maps and Amap provide indoor maps for mainstream airports, which can assist you in navigating within the terminals.
However, after actually landing, the Didi app is your best guide. It has complete图文引导 inside—just follow the instructions.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Terminal 2
T2 has 7 floors, from F3 to B4 (F1 is the ground floor, B1 is the first basement floor).
After exiting, cross the road on F1 to the P2 parking building. The ride-hailing waiting area is on F1 of P2.
Terminal 3
T3 has 6 floors, from 5F to B1, divided into three areas: T3C, T3D, and T3E.
International passengers usually disembark on 3F of T3E, then go down to 2F, walk to T3C to exit, and head to the T3 parking building. The ride-hailing waiting area is on B2.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
T1 / T2 Terminals
After exiting, head to the corresponding parking building—P1 for T1, P2 for T2. Each parking building has multiple Didi pickup points. The Didi app will mark all the points and provide图文引导. Just choose the nearest one.
To the Airport: How to Use Didi for Drop-off
Compared to pickup, drop-off is much simpler. In Didi, simply select the corresponding departure terminal as your destination. The waiting and boarding precautions are the same as for pickup and will not be repeated here.
One thing to note: Be sure to select the correct terminal when entering your destination. You can confirm this in advance in your flight booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the typical wait time?
In most cases, it takes about 10 minutes from ordering to getting in the car. During peak hours or when queues form, it may take slightly longer.
Can I pay with cash?
Currently, only taxis support cash payment in Didi. However, cash is not recommended—platform protection for cash orders is weaker, and China is basically a cashless society, so drivers usually cannot provide change. We recommend setting up online payment in advance for a smoother experience.
How much does the ride typically cost?
Taking Beijing as an example, a ride from the airport to the city center usually costs around ¥80�?00, depending on the destination and car type. Didi will show the estimated price before you order. For detailed pricing by city, please refer to: 2026 Latest | Complete Guide to Ride-Hailing in China for Foreigners: Didi from 0 to 1
What if the driver doesn't speak English?
No problem—the Didi app has a built-in chat translation feature. Messages you send in English will be shown to the driver in Chinese translation, and vice versa. Just type normally to communicate.
Can I book in advance?
Yes, Didi supports scheduling trips up to four days in advance. Just select the date and time when ordering. However, we recommend ordering near the exit after you have cleared customs and collected your luggage, to avoid missing your scheduled time due to delays.