Best China Taxi Apps: DiDi, Uber in China&Meituan Dache

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by Sophie

China taxi app

Source: from didiglobal.com

The advent of the digital age has revolutionized numerous sectors worldwide, and the taxi industry is not an exception, especially in China. China has seen a surge in taxi apps that have transformed the traditional taxi-hailing system into an efficient and user-friendly process. Companies like Didi Chuxing(滴滴出行) and Meituan Dache(美团打车) have emerged as the dominant players in the market, offering services like private car hailing, carpooling, and even bike-sharing. This article offers a comrehensive guide to two main taxi apps and how to use them as foreigners.

Best Taxi Apps in China: DiDi,Uber in China & Meituan Dache

Best Taxi Apps in China: DiDi,Uber in China & Meituan Dache
In the fast-paced world of technology and convenience, taxi apps have revolutionized the way we travel. The advent of taxi apps has transformed the way we commute, making it more convenient, efficient, and reliable. Two such apps that have made a significant impact in the transportation industry are DiDi and Meituan. DiDi, often referred to as "Uber in China", offering a wide array of services from standard taxis to luxury car services. Meanwhile, Meituan, a versatile platform originally known for its food delivery services, has expanded its repertoire to include taxi services. Let's delve deeper into two China apps: DiDi and Meituan, and explore how to register and use them in China.

What is DiDi, Uber in China?

What is DiDi, Uber in China?

Source: from didiglobal.com

DiDi Chuxing(滴滴出行), also known simply as DiDi, is one of the largest ride-hailing platforms in the world. As an alternative to Uber, DiDi provides a range of app-based transportation services, including taxi hailing, private car hailing, social ride-sharing and bike sharing, designated driving, and on-demand delivery services. DiDi serves 550 million users across over 400 cities. By 2017, DiDi have over 450 million users and was handling up to 25 million rides per day in China. In 2018, DiDi expanded its services to Mexico and Australia, among other countries, further increasing its user base.

Types of Car-hailing Services of DiDi, Uber in China

DiDi, the Uber alternative offers various types of car-hailing services. Here are some common categories that you might find:
Types of Car-hailing Services of DiDi Introduction Feature
DiDi Express The standard and most commonly used service, similar to UberX. Offers quick, convenient rides at a reasonable cost.
DiDi Premier A more upscale service with higher-end vehicles and more experienced drivers. Similar to Uber Black and is aimed at users looking for a more luxurious experience.
DiDi Luxury Offers chauffeurs and mid-to-high end cars. A step above Premier and provides luxury cars for those who want the best comfort and style.
DiDi Taxis Allows users to hail traditional taxis through its app, providing a digital means to access conventional taxi services. DiDi currently partners with more than 500 taxi companies in China, Japan and Brazil.
Designated Driving This service provides a driver to take you home in your own car. Particularly useful for individuals who may have driven somewhere but are unable to drive back, often due to alcohol consumption.
Enterprise Solutions DiDi offers business-focused services for companies that need to manage transportation for their employees. Offers business travel services to about 170,000 corporate clients.
Hitch This is DiDi's carpooling service, where riders heading in the same direction. Passengers can share a ride for a lower cost.

Payment Methods for DiDi, Uber in China

Currently, DiDi support all valid Debit Cards, Credit Cards and PayPal. Please keep in mind that DiDi do not support any cash payments. Here are the various payment methods available:

Payment Methods for DiDi Detail
Credit/Debit Card Link your credit or debit card to your DiDi account and the fare will be automatically deducted after each ride.
PayPal Supports PayPal as a payment method. You can link your PayPal account to your DiDi account for easy payments.
DiDi Pay DiDi's own payment platform. You can top up your DiDi Pay balance using a credit/debit card or bank transfer and use it to pay for your rides.
WeChat Pay You can link your WeChat account to DiDi and pay for your rides directly from your WeChat wallet.
Alipay Another popular payment method in China, Alipay can also be used to pay for DiDi rides.
Apple Pay In some countries, DiDi also supports Apple Pay.
Google Pay Similar to Apple Pay, DiDi also supports Google Pay in some regions.

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What is Meituan Dache?

What is Meituan Dache?
Meituan Dache(美团打车) is a ride-hailing service provided by Meituan, a Chinese company that offers a variety of services including food delivery and consumer products. Meituan Dache competes with other ride-hailing services in China, such as Didi Chuxing, which is the dominant player in the market. As with other ride-hailing services, users can book rides through the Meituan Dache app, choosing from different types of vehicles and services to suit their needs. The service aims to provide convenient, efficient, and safe transportation for its users.

Types of Car-hailing Services of Meituan Dache

Meituan Dache is a car-hailing service in China, similar to Uber or Lyft in other countries. Meituan Dache offers several types of car-hailing services to cater to different customer needs. These services may include:
Types of Car-hailing Services of Meituan Dache Introduction
Economy Ride The most basic and affordable option, suitable for everyday use.
Comfort Ride Offers more comfortable vehicles, often with more legroom and higher-end interiors
Premium Ride Premium rides feature high-end cars with professional drivers.
Business Ride Tailored for business travelers, this service offers more high-end and professional cars and drivers.
Carpooling Allows passengers to share rides with others heading in the same direction, reducing costs.
Designated Driving Provides a driver to take the customer home in their own car, useful for people who may be unable to drive themselves.
Large Vehicle For groups or passengers with lots of luggage, larger vehicles such as SUVs or vans can be booked.

Payment Methods for Meituan Dache

Meituan Dache supports several payment methods for the convenience of its users. These include:
Payment Methods for Meituan Dache Detail
WeChat Pay One of the most popular payment methods in China and is widely accepted by Meituan Dache.
Alipay Another popular digital payment platform in China, Alipay is also accepted by Meituan Dache.
UnionPay A bank card service provider in China, and its cards can also be used to pay for Meituan Dache.
Meituan Wallet Meituan's own digital wallet, which users can top up and use to pay for services.
Credit Cards Meituan Dache also accepts credit card payments from major providers.

Please note that the availability of these payment methods may vary based on location and other factors. It's always a good idea to check which payment methods are accepted in your area before booking a ride.

How to Use DiDi for Taxi-hailing Service in China?

Use DiDi for Taxi-hailing service by DiDi Chuxing App

Use DiDi for Taxi-hailing service by DiDi Chuxing App

Source: Wikipedia

DiDi Chuxing App provides convinient Taxi-hailing Service for customers worldwide. Users can download the DiDi app on your iOS or Android device to start your journey!
Step 1: Open the DiDi app and enter your phone number to register, you can also use Alipay and Wechat to register.
Step 2: Enter Verification Code sent to your phone to register.
Step 2: Enter Verification Code sent to your phone to register
Step 3: Enter your original place and destination for Taxi-hailing Service.
Step 4: Make sure the destination is right and tab "Confirm Destination".
Step 3: Enter your original place and destination for Taxi-hailing Service.
Step 5: You can swipe to check out more taxi types, including Express, DiDi Flash, DiDi Premier, DiDi Luxe.
Step 6: Select the taxi type you preferred and click on "Confirm Request Express" to make a ride.
Step 6: Select the taxi type you preferred and click on "Confirm Request Express" to make a ride.
Step 7: The app will search for nearby drivers. Once a driver accepts your request, you'll see their information, including name, photo, and vehicle details.
Step 8: When the driver arrives, verify their identity by matching the details in the app with the vehicle and driver.
Step 9: Once you arrive at your destination, the fare will be automatically charged to your selected payment method if you've set up an electronic payment.
Step 10: After the ride, you can rate your driver and provide feedback on your experience.

Use DiDi for Taxi-hailing service by Wechat

Use DiDi for Taxi-hailing service by Wechat

Source: Wikipedia

Beside DiDi App, customers could also download and create a Wechat account. You can check the article of China Payment App to learn the detail!
Step 1: Tap "Services" to find DiDi for Taxi-hailing Service.
Step 2: Click on "Ride Hailing" in the bottom section to enter the detail page.
Step 1: Tap "Services" to find DiDi for Taxi-hailing Service.
Step 3: Enter your original place and destination for Taxi-hailing Service.
Step 4: Make sure the destination is right and tab "Confirm Destination".
Step 4: Make sure the destination is right and tab "Confirm Destination".
Step 5: You can swipe to check out more taxi types, including Express, DiDi Flash, DiDi Premier, DiDi Luxe.
Step 6: Select the taxi type you preferred and click on "Confirm Request Express" to make a ride.
Step 6: Select the taxi type you preferred and click on "Confirm Request Express" to make a ride.
Step 7: The app will search for nearby drivers. Once a driver accepts your request, you'll see their information, including name, photo, and vehicle details.
Step 8: When the driver arrives, verify their identity by matching the details in the app with the vehicle and driver.
Step 9: Once you arrive at your destination, the fare will be automatically charged to your selected payment method if you've set up an electronic payment.
Step 10: After the ride, you can rate your driver and provide feedback on your experience.

How to Use Meituan Dache for Taxi-hailing Service in China?

How to Use Meituan Dache for Taxi-hailing Service in China?
Meituan Dache is a popular taxi-hailing app in China. Here's how you can use it:

1. Download the Meituan Dache App:

  • For Android users, download the Meituan Dache app from the Google Play Store or any other Android app store that is accessible in China.
  • For iOS users, download it from the Apple App Store.

2. Create an Account:

  • Open the app and sign up for an account. You'll likely need to provide a phone number that can receive SMS messages in China for verification purposes.
  • Complete the registration process by following the prompts, which may include setting up a password and providing additional personal information.

3. Set Up Payment:

  • Add a payment method to your account. This could be a debit card, WeChat Pay, Alipay, or any other payment method accepted by Meituan.
  • Ensure that your payment method is set up correctly and has sufficient funds for the ride.

4. Request a Ride:

  • Open the Meituan Dache app and select the taxi-hailing service.
  • Enter your pick-up location and destination. The app may automatically detect your current location for pick-up, but you can adjust it manually if needed.
  • Choose the type of vehicle or service you require. There may be options for different levels of service, such as economy, comfort, or luxury.
  • Confirm your ride request. The app will then match you with a nearby driver.

5. Wait for Your Driver:

  • Once a driver accepts your request, you'll be able to see their information, including name, photo, and vehicle details.
  • Track the driver's location in real-time as they approach your pick-up point.

6. Take Your Ride:

  • When the driver arrives, verify their identity by checking the information provided in the app.
  • Get in the vehicle and enjoy your ride. You can follow the route on the app to ensure you're heading to the correct destination.

7. Rate Your Experience:

  • After the ride, you can rate your driver and provide feedback on your experience.

Other Taxi Apps in China

Other Taxi Apps in China

Apart from Didi and Meituan, there are several other taxi apps in China. Here are several taxi-hailing apps:

Other Taxi Apps in China Detail
CaoCao Chuxing (曹操出行) Focuses on providing ride-hailing services with new energy vehicles, particularly electric vehicles (EVs). It's a major Chinese car manufacturer.
Amap Taxi (高德打车) Integrated within the Amap navigation app (also known as AutoNavi), this service allows users to hail taxis through the popular mapping and navigation platform.
T3 Travel (T3出行) A ride-hailing platform that is a joint venture between FAW, Dongfeng, and Changan. T3 Travel aims to integrate intelligent transportation solutions with ride-hailing services.
Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur (首汽约车) A service that offers more premium ride options, including limousines and chauffeur services.
Ruqi Travel (如祺出行) Focused on providing ride-hailing services with an emphasis on environmentally friendly and smart transportation solutions.
Yidao Yongche (易到用车) Once a prominent competitor in the Chinese ride-hailing market, Yidao Yongche offers a range of services from economy to luxury rides.

FAQs about China Taxi Apps

  • Is there Uber in China?

    Uber is one of the most used ride-hailing services in the world. In China, DiDi is the Uber alternative.
  • Can I use overseas credit card for DiDi?

    DiDi, Uber in China, allows foreigners register using an overseas credit card and phone number.
  • Can I pay for DiDi with cash?

    Currently, DiDi support all valid Debit Cards, Credit Cards and PayPal. Please keep in mind that DiDi do not support any cash payments.
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