How to Use DiDi: The Ride App for Latin America & Australia (2026)

If you're traveling in Mexico, Latin America, or Australia, DiDi is the ride app that quietly saves money. It works just like Uber — request, track, pay in the app — but in many of its markets it's the cheaper of the two, sometimes by a wide margin.

Here's what DiDi is, how to use it, and where it works.

What is DiDi?

DiDi is one of the world's largest ride-hailing apps — the leader in China and a heavyweight across Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. You book a car, see the price upfront, and pay by cash or card. For travelers, the appeal is straightforward: similar experience to Uber, often a lower fare.

How to use DiDi

Download the app and sign up with your phone number.
Open it where you land — DiDi shows local cars and pricing automatically.
Set your destination to lock in the upfront fare.
Choose a ride tier — from budget Express up to larger or premium cars.
Pay by cash or card and confirm.

Compare DiDi and Uber every time

In DiDi markets, price the same trip in both apps before booking — DiDi usually wins, but the gap swings with demand and promotions, so a quick check pays off.

Where DiDi works

As of 2026, outside China DiDi runs across:

Latin America: Mexico — it's a top app in Mexico City — plus Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and more.
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand, where it's handy when getting around Sydney.

Not in the US or most of Europe

There's no DiDi ride-hailing in the United States, the UK, or most of Europe. Traveling there? You'll need Uber, Bolt, or the local app instead — always check your city in the app first.

What DiDi costs

Upfront fares, frequently 10–30% cheaper than Uber in Mexico and parts of Latin America.
Regular promotions for new and returning riders.
From airports, convenient and cheap by ride-app standards, but metro and rail links are still cheaper into the city.

Mind the foreign-transaction fee

If you pay by card, DiDi charges in the local currency and your bank may add a 1–3% FX fee. Paying cash or using a no-FX-fee travel card avoids it.

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DiDi vs Uber for travelers

In DiDi's markets the two overlap, but each has a niche:

DiDi → usually cheaper in Latin America and Australia, accepts cash widely.
Uber → broader global reach, one account worldwide.

Keep both and let the quote decide.

The bottom line for travelers

DiDi is the budget traveler's ride app across Mexico, Latin America, and Australia: the same convenience as Uber, frequently a lower price, and cash accepted where you need it. Install it alongside Uber and compare before each trip.

But the cheapest ride is often the Metro, Metrobús, or a train you didn't know was there. Working out when a DiDi is genuinely worth it — and when transit wins — is exactly what Arrived is designed to decide for you on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DiDi app?

DiDi is a global ride-hailing app — the dominant player in China and a major operator across Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. You request a car from your phone, see the price upfront, and pay by cash or card. It works much like Uber, but in many of its markets it undercuts Uber on price, which is its main draw for travelers.

Which countries does DiDi work in?

Outside China, DiDi operates across much of Latin America — Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic — as well as Australia and New Zealand. It's especially strong in Mexico, where it's often the most-used ride app. It does not operate in the US, the UK, or most of Europe.

Does DiDi work in Mexico?

Yes — DiDi is hugely popular in Mexico and frequently cheaper than Uber, with wide coverage in Mexico City and most major cities. It accepts cash as well as card, which suits travelers who don't want foreign-transaction fees. For getting around Mexico City, though, the Metro and Metrobús are far cheaper than any ride for trips along their routes.

Is DiDi cheaper than Uber?

Very often, yes. In markets like Mexico and parts of Latin America, DiDi is regularly 10–30% cheaper than Uber for the same trip, and it runs frequent promotions for new and returning riders. In Australia it also tends to undercut Uber. The reliable move is to compare both apps for your route, since the gap varies by city and time of day.

Can I pay cash with DiDi?

Yes, in most of its markets DiDi accepts cash — you pay the driver the fare shown in the app — and you can also add a card. Cash is handy for travelers avoiding FX fees, while card payment is contactless and keeps a record of the trip. You select the payment method before confirming each ride.

Do I need a local number to use DiDi?

You register with a phone number via SMS, and your home number generally works for sign-up. You'll need mobile data or Wi-Fi to book and track rides, and a local eSIM or SIM helps drivers reach you about pickup. Set up data before leaving the airport so you can book your first ride on arrival.

Is DiDi safe to use?

Yes. DiDi shows the driver, car, and plate before pickup, offers in-app trip sharing, an emergency button, and ride recording in many regions. As with any ride app, confirm the car and plate match the app before getting in, and prefer in-app payment or exact cash so there's no fare dispute.

Is DiDi the same as Uber?

They work the same way for riders — request, track, pay in-app — but they're separate companies. DiDi is the bigger player in China and undercuts Uber across much of Latin America and Australia, while Uber has broader global reach. In DiDi's markets, many travelers install both and compare the fare before each ride.