How to book a DiDi ride in Australia
Open the DiDi Rider app, tap "Where to?", enter your destination, pick a vehicle type and tap CONFIRM. A nearby driver accepts and you follow them on the map.
Before your first ride
You need the DiDi Rider app (App Store or Google Play), an account registered with your mobile number, name and email, and a payment method. DiDi will not let you request a trip until a debit card, credit card or PayPal is attached, because fares are charged automatically at the end of each ride. See account and payment.
Booking a ride step by step
- Open the app and tap Where to?.
- Type your destination. The pickup point defaults to your location; tap it in the top bar to change it.
- Choose a vehicle type. The fare estimate appears under each vehicle icon once both points are set. Options are explained in ride types.
- Check the details and tap CONFIRM. You can still move the pickup pin on the map; if you do, the app asks you to confirm the pickup again.
- When a driver accepts, the map shows their location and ETA, plus their name, profile photo, Star Rating and car.
If the trip falls in a busy period, a Dynamic Pricing multiplier appears below the fare estimate before you confirm. How that works is covered in fares.
Adding stops and changing addresses
- Extra stops: on the home screen tap "Where to?", then the plus (+) sign next to the text box. You can add up to 2 stops before the final destination. DiDi asks riders to keep stops short.
- Changing pickup: tap Edit Pickup. If the app will not let you, call the driver with the call icon at the bottom of the screen; the number shown is anonymised. If that fails too, cancel and request again (check cancellation fees first).
- Changing the destination: open the driver details page and tap Update Destination.
Can you book in advance?
Not at the moment. The Australian help centre states that pre-booking and scheduled rides are not available, and DiDi will announce it if that changes. For an early flight, request the ride shortly before you need to leave; see airport rides.
Riding with children, pets and assistive devices
| Situation | What DiDi's rules say |
|---|---|
| Child under about 7 | Must sit in an approved child restraint. Drivers do not provide one, so bring your own. Exact ages depend on your state's law. |
| Riders under 18 | Cannot ride alone; an adult (18+) must travel with them. |
| Service animal | Always allowed. A rider refused because of an assistance animal gets any cancellation charge refunded. |
| Pet (non-service) | Contact the driver in advance. The driver may cancel. |
| Wheelchair or other assistive device | You can still book; contact the driver first to check the car suits your needs. |
Sharing the cost and the trip
- Split Fare: after requesting, send a Split Fare invitation to friends and the fare is divided evenly.
- Share My Trip: send your live location to Trusted Contacts. Set them up under Safety Centre, Trusted Contacts. More in safety.
When something goes wrong
If the driver is hard to reach, they may be driving; wait and try again. If you still cannot reach them, use the support routes on contact support. Left something in the car? Follow lost property.